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Special 26
...is far from a satisfying thriller but is a consistently engaging. It just isn’t as smart as it wished to be.
Feb 2013
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Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi
It’s all very cute (maybe a bit loud) but far from being memorable while one just ends up wishing it was.
Aug 2012
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Chittagong
...its perfectly-placed intentions apart, it never becomes soul-stirring cinema.
Oct 2012
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Student Of The Year
An erratic narrative, superficial explorations of character motivations and a very representative love story reduces what could otherwise have been a lasting and enjoyable teen flick we could have truly cared for.
Oct 2012
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Table No. 21
Although, there was much scope to milk the dark and claustrophobic undertones of the set-up, something the film ignores so blithely it seems it doesn’t know about its own potential. It could have been a much better film had it.
Jan 2013
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Fatso
Purab Kohli and Ranvir Shorey perform with a delightful conviction but with little avail.
May 2012
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Chal Pichchur Banate Hain
There is an attempt to freshness and pace in the use of intercuts and such but it does little for a film that largely is amateurish. Yet, there is an element of optimism and fun that speaks of passion and faith in the subject and for a debut feature, that’s important.
Sep 2012
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Chakravyuh
Prakash Jha’s filmography has largely centred on films related to social issues. In the recent times though, they have taken a template-like tone that is informed with resounding drama and distinctly Bollywoodian elements that sets it in a unique formulaic zone. Chakravyuh does nothing more than become yet another peg in this genre.
Oct 2012
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Cocktail
There isn’t much in Cocktail for us to take home except the feeling of having watched a pleasant and warm love story that does not take our sensibilities for granted nor overdoes the gloss as a compensation for real romance.
Jul 2012
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Chaurahen
It is an original and honest attempt at creative exploration, but one that unfortunately does not really come alive most of the time.
Mar 2012
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Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns
Unlike its earlier version it has little unabashed seduction and a lesser sexually charged atmosphere. The revenge drama takes its place but it’s ineffective, and sadly so.
Mar 2013
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Makkhi
...it holds onto good old story-telling conventions and serves a tight and engaging dramatic piece but as a lasting experience it falls way short.
Oct 2012
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Jayanta Bhai Ki Luv Story
Jayantabhai ki love story then becomes relegated to those interesting premises that are rendered useless by a tried-hard-but-just-didn’t-happen effort that lacks flair and imagination. Sad, because it did have a germ of a decent film within it.
Feb 2013
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Murder 3
There is enough intrigue in the story for a captivating psychological thriller. But in the hands of Vishesh Bhatt, Randeep Hooda and Sara Loren everything threatening turns into incredibly foolish.
Feb 2013
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Teri Meri Kahaani
Cosmetic and superficial, Teri Meri Kahaani is filled with cliche's and a misplaced heart that depends on its sets and costumes to tell its story.
Jun 2012
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Bol Bachchan
Loud, mindless fun has its own space in our film-watching habits. For that mood looking for a stress-buster or just a brain-less time at the movies Bol Bachchan just might work.
Jul 2012
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Inkaar
What happens when a strong, socially relevant theme is dipped in glamour with its motivations set in thrilling rather than engaging with the subject? Inkaar.
Jan 2013
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Dangerous Ishhq
...depends on thrills and chills and focuses little on characterisation, mood or even dialogues.
May 2012
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Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum
There is a lot of buffoonery and irreverence in the low-brow film but little charm or intelligence. It is a dish spiced up for those whose sensitivity bar isn’t too picky, ‘offensive’ being the relative term it is.
Jul 2012
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Dabangg 2
What do you call a film trying hard to be exactly like its prequel? Cashing in on established brands is a popular and safe business tactic but not delivering more in the second round is a sign of not only foolishness but also complacency. Dabangg-2, from that measure, must be the laziest film ever made then.
Dec 2012
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Hate Story
...fails miserably because of a myopic script and direction. Its production values like Paoli’s styling are tacky, as loud and superficially glossy like the film’s sensibility.
Apr 2012
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Aiyyaa
...mixes Bollywood conventions with some originality but with a very amateurish treatment. And it is precisely this that takes all the fun out of an otherwise interesting package.
Oct 2012
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Life Ki Toh Lag Gayi
The film is wrapped in a realistic sensibility, set in real locations, deals with everyday dilemmas and emotions, yet, fails this realism with shallow characterisation, weak performances and in the entire point it is trying to make.
Apr 2012
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Rajdhani Express
A lack of vision and a clearly confused screenplay leaves with us an experience that simply isn’t worth it.
Jan 2013
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Raaz 3
The 3D is effective in the nightmare sequences but turns the rest of the film into a grainy and tacky affair. Much like the film is in totality.
Sep 2012
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Zila Ghaziabad
Gangster films may be a profit-making proposition for Bollywood but not for long if left to abysmal products like these.
Feb 2013
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The Attacks Of 26/11
Despite Ram Gopal Verma’s good intentions, all we are left with is an extremely amateurish film that acts neither as a spur nor balm and says nothing new.
Mar 2013
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Race 2
For all its attempts at providing a fast-paced action thriller, Race-2 overdoes it in all departments. The action over-done, the screenplay over-wrought, the sexiness overemphasized and the cool quotient too desperate to prove itself. There is a story somewhere in between...
Jan 2013