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Ishaqzaade
The director captures small-town India perfectly and builds up his characters with requisite vigour. In spite of the choppy second hour, Ishaqzaade is still worth a watch.
May 2012
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Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?
...the screenplay is weak, the basic premise engages to a point, after which you hear yourself echoing Puneet and Munmun’s plea: ‘Atithi tum kab jaoge?’ Because once he leaves you know the film will finally end.
Mar 2010
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Kaalakaandi
...it is technically inconsistent and the narrative doesn’t quite pull together. You are waiting for the loose plots to come together as the film nears its end, but that does not happen quite to satisfaction. You are left with some doubts, a lack of closure, like there’s maybe something that slipped between the writing and the final edit.
Jan 2018
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Beyond The Clouds
Together (Khattar and Mohanan) their effort might be sincere but the effect of a lack of cohesion eschews the very emotional gravitas Beyond the Clouds works so hard to achieve.
Apr 2018
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Panipat
Gowariker finds the emotional connect in the scenes between Kapoor and Sanon, but there’s a been-there-seen-that feel to the battle scenes and the drama of the royal court.
Dec 2019
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Dishoom
There’s far more emphasis on style than script, but Dishoom won’t disappoint fans of the buff leading men.
Jul 2016
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Mubarakan
Fortunately, the humour does not degenerate to crass double entendres. Family entertainment is clearly at the core and Mubarakan manages to deliver enough laughs.
Jul 2017
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Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
It’s all warm and fuzzy and quite nice till we encounter a mash-up of Kal Ho Naa Ho and Rockstar.
Oct 2016
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Pati Patni Aur Woh
In 2019, the men as seen in this movie, are still taking women for granted, and the women, who maybe independent-spirited, are still responsible for forgiving and forgetting.
Dec 2019
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May 2018
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Satyameva Jayate
It may not be the most intelligent thriller, but its lack of pretence is its greatest asset. It’s entertaining for some of the right reasons, and plenty of unintended ones.
Aug 2018
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Love Wrinkle-free
It’s musical, chilled out, quirky and the pace is susegad (laid-back).
May 2012
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The Body
Unfortunately, and not unlike the original, The Body places more emphasis on answering the question of why rather than how.
Dec 2019
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Mohenjo Daro
...a choppy film that is a victim of its own ambition. If anything keeps Mohenjo Daro afloat, it’s Hrithik Roshan’s energy and enthusiasm.
Aug 2016
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Gurgaon
...Raman’s film is not about the comfortable. It’s very much about unearthing and facing the ugly truth, and that’s a rather bitter pill.
Aug 2017
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Why Cheat India
...perhaps too attached to his script, Sen is unable to skillfully pull it all together. Some scenes are particularly untidy – in their design, execution and casting.
Jan 2019
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Ribbon
Not all ideas translate well to film and though are some moments of note, if Ribbon works at all, it is credit to Koechlin’s and Vyas’ committed and convincing performances.
Nov 2017
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Meri Pyaari Bindu
Nostalgia is one of the strongest characters in Meri Pyaari Bindu, but it’s unlikely that the target audience for this kind of frothy romcom would warm up to that, and those who would are perhaps seeking more heft.
May 2017
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UnIndian
A simple film with flashes of charm and humour, UNIndian serves mainly as a showcase for Brett Lee trying his hand on a new pitch (I couldn’t resist slipping in one cliché).
Aug 2016
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Ittefaq
The look and feel is in place and so is the big twist. These two factors make Ittefaq a serviceable thriller, but not a genre-defining experience.
Nov 2017
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Half Girlfriend
...is strictly for fans of the book or the two leads, because at best it’s quarter tolerable.
May 2017
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Thugs Of Hindostan
Like previous works, which include Tashan and Dhoom 3, Acharya’s Thugs of Hindostan is big but hollow.
Nov 2018
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Sab Kushal Mangal
Khanna seems to be having fun with his moustache, mischief, heartland politician, and rough around-the-edges Casanova character. The film hits the right notes when he is on screen but declines to near pallid when it focuses on the flimsy romance between Sharma and Kishan.
Jan 2020
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Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
If only there had been more life in this story and its telling.
Aug 2017
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Bhavesh Joshi Superhero
While Motwane’s blueprint is derivative (you will think Kick Ass and Arrow), his thoughts and setting are localised enough to make this a convincing character within the genre. But the film’s flaw is that it’s trying to say too much and doing so at such a painful pace that much of a good intention is lost in execution.
Jun 2018
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Hindi Medium
...is obviously playing to the gallery. It makes you laugh, it makes you think, but its one-note characters and black-and-white divisions mean that while it makes the grade, the film is no topper.
May 2017