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One Day
The story of a vigilante judge trying to bring justice once he has given up the duty of following the rule book had potential, but Ashok Nanda’s direction exposes flaws in the performances and tears open the already gaping holes in Alaukik Rahi’s story.
Jul 2019
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London Dreams
London Dreams is given a leg-up by a strong story let down in execution and technique.
Nov 2009
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Toilet
Instead of sticking to social satire, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha takes on the mantle of an extended propaganda film—it’s just as tiresome, but with better production values and performances.
Aug 2017
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Haraamkhor
I didn’t feel for any of the characters and I was let down by this emotional disinterest.
Jan 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
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Mohalla Assi
...is less cinema and more textual. The small things and little metaphors are more impactful than the bombastic monologues which dominate this taxing and ponderous chronicle.
Nov 2018
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Bhangra Paa Le
In spite of best efforts by the actors, a feeble script, by-the-numbers direction, unimaginative choreography, and contrived drama are unable to burn up the dance floor.
Jan 2020
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Tum Mile
...might have worked if it had stuck to the love story - about a mature relationship that sours when control and ego, dreams and ambition clash. A 26 July film it is not. If only it had not pretended to be.
Nov 2009
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Akira
Sinha gets to show off her karate chops and martial arts, but the handful of action sequences are less than inventive. Sinha is far more effective in the emotional scenes.
Sep 2016
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Luka Chuppi
Utekar directs what can best be defined as an overwritten dummies guide to live-in relationships.
Mar 2019
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Jacqueline I Am Coming
...is a simple story, that is simply made and simply told. Its simplicity is both its appeal and its shortcoming.
Oct 2019
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Aao Wish Karein
...one wishes there had been more originality in the story and a little more fun in the telling.
Nov 2009
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Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
The screenplay manages to walk the line between crass and preachy, keeping the balance between comedy, romance and the sensitivities around a taboo topic. However, a collection of nice moments and thoughts is untidily stitched together.
Sep 2017
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2.0
A film that pivots around technology and artificial intelligence should have laid as much emphasis on artificial (special effects, computer graphics, robots) as intelligence. But writer-director Shankar’s focus is largely on visually wow-ing the audience.
Dec 2018
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Freaky Ali
Though it’s called Freaky Ali, Siddiqui’s Ali is the least freaky of all the characters and his performance is the only reason this film is not a complete washout.
Sep 2016
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Baadshaho
Baadshaho's finale unfolds in a sandstorm and is the one scene that is visually arresting, though the story loses itself somewhere within the vortex.
Sep 2017
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Malang
A whole lot of time is wasted setting up the story; far less is assigned to unravelling the mystery or providing adequate backstory to all the characters.
Feb 2020
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Raat Gayi Baat Gayi
Fans of the cast and team that have cornered the market on low budget ensemble pieces might find this enjoyable.
Jan 2010
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Poster Boys
The issue of over-population is tackled with a light hand and while the humour is anything but subtle, Poster Boys will appeal to fans of the brothers Deol looking for an inoffensive good time.
Sep 2017
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Mere Pyare Prime Minister
Appearing to be overly focused on delivering a message, the director has compromised on delivering a well-crafted cinematic experience.
Mar 2019
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Marjaavaan
Writer-director Milap Zaveri pulls in every 1980s Bollywood movie trope to present a film designed to elicit whistles from the frontbenchers.
Nov 2019
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Shab
...should have augmented Onir’s oeuvre. Perhaps being based on a script written over a decade ago contributed to the feeling of datedness.
Jul 2017
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Shikara
Given his personal connection with the story, Chopra captures emotion and upheaval, loss and fear, hope and hopelessness. However, as a chapter in Indian history, the film required a great deal more context and deference to the complexity of politics in the Valley.
Feb 2020