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Shanghai
...it is an important, relevant film that demands to be watched not just for what it is saying, but for how it is saying it -- angrily, fearlessly, pointing out, as a line in one of the film’s songs puts it, both the ‘gur’ and the ‘gobar’ in this, our Bharat.
Jun 2012
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Rowdy Rathore
You take the masala films made in the 70s and 80s. Borrow liberally. Patch together a plot, or whatever passes for it. Rope in a star looking for a solo hit. And you get, all together now, ‘Rowdy Rathore’.
Jun 2012
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The Forest
A curious mix of fact and fiction, Ashvin Kumar’s 'The Forest' takes us into the heart of a dense jungle and confronts us with our worst fears.
May 2012
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Ishaqzaade
It’s all in there, and yet the result is mixed : some of ‘Ishqzaade’ hits the spot, the rest is a drag.
May 2012
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May 2012
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Jannat 2
...is, for the most part, a badly-done, badly-acted enterprise, lifted only a notch by a couple of performances.
May 2012
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Fatso
...despite a standout turn from Ranvir Shorey as the eponymous lead, and some nicely realized segments, 'Fatso' comes off flat and tonally confused.
May 2012
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Life Ki Toh Lag Gayi
I went in expecting nothing, and I was rewarded by a film that surprised me despite some predictable patches, and kept me engaged.
Apr 2012
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Hate Story
...what we get is an oomphy, oozy femme who is uninhibitedly fatale, and capable of steaming things up, but stuck in a story which starts off as credible but all too soon plunges us into a pit of disbelief.
Apr 2012
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Bittoo Boss
What could have had us cracking up becomes dramatically inert, and a film that doesn’t, despite its occasional nice moments, live up to its potential.
Apr 2012
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Housefull 2
Basically, Sajid in full flow, celebrating juvenalia. No plot (don’t be silly), decibel levels cranked high, situations careering from one gag to another, characters spewing rapidfire lines which are meant to make you guffaw.
Apr 2012
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Blood Money
...has a story which starts off interesting but becomes familiar as it unspools, underwired with the usual flash.
Mar 2012
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Bumboo
Films like these need to be obnoxiously funny, where you laugh because you can’t help it. And that happens too few times.
Mar 2012
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Agent Vinod
You can see the Bond-Bourne-Ludlum influences, but not the unfettered play of Sriram Raghavan’s wit and intelligence. Where's the fizz?
Mar 2012
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Chaurahen
There is some obviousness. But there are also enough nice moments in ‘Chaurahen’ to make you hopeful for her next venture.
Mar 2012
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Paan Singh Tomar
...what makes this film unforgettable is Irrfan who is, in one word, magnificent.
Mar 2012
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Jodi Breakers
...may have started with an idea suited to light-weight rom coms, but despite a few flourishes, it stays firmly bird-brained.
Feb 2012
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Question Mark
...as an attempt which stays true to its purpose, of providing uneasy chills, '?' pretty much does its job.
Feb 2012
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Feb 2012
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Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
...is a half and half : it gets where it needs to with flair, but not enough surprises.
Feb 2012
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Gali Gali Chor Hai
This could have been a film with bite to it, given that we are all so exercised these days with corruption and its high-profile fighters and shameless purveyors. But satire is not Bollywood’s thing.
Feb 2012
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Feb 2012
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Agneepath
...old style revenge drama which does well on the whole, despite its plot holes and a slackened second half...
Jan 2012
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Ghost
The only way to get through it is to see the funny side of it all, and laugh the ghastliness away.
Jan 2012
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Chaalis Chauraasi
...is like an empty vessel, which rattles round noisily to no effect.
Jan 2012