-
Nakkash
In terms of narrative style, Imam swings between naturalism and an occasionally operatic tone, which suits Nakkash well. The plot is not designed as a thriller meant to dazzle us with its twists and turns. It is instead a believable slice-of-life saga in a toxic setting.
May 2019
-
PM Narendra Modi
...falls into the so-bad-it-could-be-fun category, except that it is not fun at all – it is, instead, an insult to viewer intelligence and viewer knowledge.
May 2019
-
De De Pyaar De
...has been marketed as an older-man-younger-woman romance, but make no mistake about this: what it truly is is a vehicle for claims of universal male victimhood, better disguised than its co-producer and co-writer Luv Ranjan's three directorial ventures
May 2019
-
May 2019
-
Blank
...is a hit-and-miss. It is a great debut for Karan Kapadia though, who despite the presence of a seasoned actor in Sunny Deol, stands out as the star of the film.
May 2019
-
Kalank
...it is fronted by such a likeable cast and comes in such pretty packaging. There is nothing pretty though about the lack of nuance in its portrayal of Hindu-Muslim equations...
Apr 2019
-
Romeo Akbar Walter
...chooses to tell the other, more populist side of the story. Though that is completely the makers' choice, one wishes they would have not given up on nuance while translating the popular sentiment into a half-baked spy thriller.
Apr 2019
-
Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aaata Hai?
...demands a great deal of patience and leaves you dissatisfied with the modern revision.
Apr 2019
-
No Fathers In Kashmir
For a fictionalised feature to shine a light on the most contentious aspects of Kashmir's tragedy - from hypocritical fundamentalists to half widows and mass graves - takes immense guts irrespective of which political party is in power at the Centre.
Apr 2019
-
Gone Kesh
...is an important story to tell in the hair-normative culture we live in, where hair is seen as representative of femininity.
Mar 2019
-
Notebook
...is not perfect, but like the sterling Kashmir waterscapes in the film camouflaging so much turmoil, and captured here so beautifully by cinematographer Manoj Kumar Khatoi, it too is worth a visit.
Mar 2019
-
Junglee
Russell’s Hindi language action thriller has the right intention, but much is lost between intent and execution.
Mar 2019
-
Kesari
Irrespective of what the 36th Sikhs' actual motivations were, obviously theirs was a historic last stand worthy of a film. When an honest army procedural could have had an impact, the team of Kesari chose instead to be a barely disguised propaganda vehicle and to chronicle this remarkable episode with self-defeating twists.
Mar 2019
-
Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota
...the film remains watchable throughout, despite all its shaky foundation, precisely because it gives us an experience we rarely see in Indian cinema. It is stylish and cool and silly all at once, which does work in its favour as well.
Mar 2019
-
Mar 2019
-
Hamid
...is a beautiful story whose translation to the screen is delivered with wildly different results throughout its run-time. The moment it threatens to hit the bottom of the barrel, it is revived in a manner which is nothing short of extraordinary, slowly bringing the film back to life and coming close to living up to its rich potential.
Mar 2019
-
Photograph
While there's humour and pathos, Batra lacks a firm grip on the story and it starts to get away from him midway through the film, making it hard for anyone to really get lost in it. In the end, you can't help but feel shortchanged.
Mar 2019
-
Mere Pyare Prime Minister
Despite its heartwarming intentions, liberal soul and some interesting actors, Mere Pyare Prime Minister is an underwhelming experience.
Mar 2019
-
Luka Chuppi
Utekar directs what can best be defined as an overwritten dummies guide to live-in relationships.
Mar 2019
-
Total Dhamaal
...director Indra Kumar’s adventure comedy (a very, very loose definition) is all about the journey, which is troublesome, even frightening, and all together tedious. So much so that by the time a motley crew of opportunists find their way to a buried treasure, the adventure comedy has begun to feel like a disaster film.
Feb 2019
-
Amavas
As for the significance of the title, spirits get stronger during an eclipse, we are told. Watch this total eclipse of the art at your own peril.
Feb 2019
-
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
Leading the positives in Ek Ladki is the use of the comedy genre for such grave social commentary, and the skill the writers and director display while pulling it off without mocking the LGBT+ community.
Feb 2019
-
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
-
Bombairiya
A sharper edit at script and film level would have helped somewhat, but not enough to raise this comedy, with a hue of blackness, out of its own disorderly screenplay which leaves too many loose ends and unanswered questions.
Jan 2019
-
Evening Shadows
It is the coming out film that many gay men and women probably wish they had when they struggled to have the conversation with their families. And they will surely recognise pieces of themselves in it.
Jan 2019
-
The Accidental Prime Minister
The fumbles in The Accidental Prime Minister lie in the screenplay (by Gutte, Mayank Tiwari, Aditya Sinha and Karl Dunne) and the tonally confused direction.
Jan 2019
-
Uri
...is a confidently made film that comes out guns blazing. And when the guns are not blazing, Kaushal certainly is.
Jan 2019
-
Simmba
...is one of the better films by Shetty. Unlike Dilwale, he does not pander to the fans of his leading stars and unlike Golmaal, he does not discount content for misplaced humour.
Dec 2018
-
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
-
Thugs Of Hindostan
A mild Pirates of the Caribbean hangover aside, this is prime Diwali blockbuster material — a story of relationships, betrayal, adventure and courage, of underdogs and their unlikely triumphs.
Nov 2018