An archive of Hindi movie reviews and ratings from 2010 to 2020.

critic

Rahul Desai

Highest rating for
Lowest rating for
Number of reviews
127
Average rating
41

Order by

Date

Title

Rating

  • Ishq Ke Parindey

    Our filmmakers have milked the cross-border eternal romance angle dry. It's hard to tell if it's Indo-Pak tension that provides fodder for these done-to-death stories, or the stories that actually create tension between the nations.

    19

    Apr 2015
  • I

    ...three throbbing hours of an operatic musical--with a unique style that refuses to find firm footing between Victor Hugo and Michael Bay.

    59

    Jan 2015
  • Hey Bro

    ...what we get is Andaaz Apna Apna sidekicks, leopard-printed heels, ping-pong sound effects, classic dialogues 'remixed' as rap songs, and skimpy numbers that rhyme 'rude' with 'dude' and 'mood'.

    29

    Mar 2015
  • Hawaa Hawaai

    Gupte works hard to imbibe collections of moments into his storytelling; the love and conviction for his subject is indisputable. Hawaa Hawaai isn't as compelling as his previous efforts, but still merits a watch for the gratifying culture he has constructed.

    49

    May 2014
  • Happy Ending

    Seen before, done before. Narrative styles, conflicts, background scores and supporting characters have begun to overlap. All that differ are the littler details—professions, environments, guest appearances.

    59

    Nov 2014
  • Haider

    While this is far from his weakest effort, and better than most directors' strongest, Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider is only his third best Shakespeare adaptation.

    59

    Oct 2014
  • Gang of Ghosts

    I wouldn't go as far as declaring this imitation to be the best form of flattery, but Gang Of Ghosts does arouse enough curiosity to make you want to watch the real deal. Excuse me while I procure a DVD.

    39

    Mar 2014
  • Gabbar Is Back

    ...by the time the same plot is passed through four commercial factory machines, nothing is decipherable. Gabbar is the end of it hopefully, with nothing left to squeeze out.

    29

    May 2015
  • Fireflies

    ...a brave effort, natural and languid for most parts. However, it fails to glow through its foreseeable conflicts and layers, and ends up being a statement in craft over storytelling.

    49

    Oct 2014
  • Finding Fanny

    This film is exactly the kind of brave clutter-breaking effort that most critics wish for while lamenting the rigidness of mainstream stars. That it left me grinning long after the credit-roll is a testament to its ability to amuse, without resorting to gimmicky slapstick or toilet humour.

    79

    Sep 2014
  • Ek Villain

    There is no doubting that Suri's vision is clear in its own space-evident from the usual heady cocktail of lilting tunes and brooding antagonists - but his storytelling leaves much to be desired.

    39

    Jun 2014
  • Dum Laga Ke Haisha

    Director Sharad Katariya takes more than a leaf out of this slice-of-life book, and gently constructs—with a remarkable eye for detail—one of the sweetest little fairytales in recent times.

    69

    Feb 2015
  • Dozakh

    The climax, potentially a brave black-and-white triumph of humanity over religion, must have looked iconic on paper. This depth, however, is dissolved by an archaic display of craft.

    29

    Mar 2015
  • Dishkiyaoon

    ...confounds on a very basic technical level. Baweja sincerely tries, but is undone by scrambled writing that relies more on colorcoding than action or entertainment.

    29

    Mar 2014