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Judgemental Hai Kya
It almost seems like writer Kanika Dhillon (Manmarziyaan, Kedarnath) invested more in layering her leads with assorted idiosyncrasies than in directing this story to a sharp fold. To construct outrageous sequences is brave, cinematic even. But to do so excessively just to hammer down a message that is apparent from the very first frame, is just tiring.
Jul 2019
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Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga
...a laudable effort in the genre but has too many factors working against it.
Mar 2013
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Katti Batti
An obvious flaw would be his (Nikhil Advani) inability to tell an endearing love story that's remotely relatable.
Sep 2015
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Rustom
This one's worth a watch only for Akshay Kumar. But if you're looking for laughs, Esha Gupta could help too.
Aug 2016
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Raees
SRK’s ardent fans have endured the actor’s terrible film choices for long. It’s about time they wake up and bite into the red chilly.
Jan 2017
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Judwaa 2
David Dhawan comedies scored for their nonsensical dialogue which would invariably rhyme without reason. But the lines here are alternately comic and cringe-worthy. That the veteran filmmaker hails from a period where little attention was paid to the final product, is also evident from the dated style in which this has been shot.
Sep 2017
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Bheja Fry 2
...is half the fun of the first installment, despite the film’s canvas being significantly bigger.
Jun 2011
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Jab Tak Hai Jaan
...may not be his finest, but even here we are treated to his willingness to tinker and update his own previous work and beliefs in the telling of his concluding romance.
Nov 2012
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Ankur Arora Murder Case
...it is a story worth listening to. Just try and take Bollywood out of it.
Jun 2013
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Nov 2015
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Dear Dad
The problem with it is simple — not much happens. And what does, happens at a lethargic pace, which can be unnerving.
May 2016
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Raag Desh
This one has a compelling story that allows one to look beyond semantics but half-heartedly fleshed out parallel tracks and jump cuts between the courtroom and the war zone, become much to bear.
Jul 2017
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Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein
Despite not being original - on the merit of choice of inspiration - this is the film to opt for this week.
Apr 2012
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Gour Hari Dastaan
It's like the perfect school play, everyone knows their lines, everyone falls in line and little is left to mind.
Aug 2015
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Force 2
While director Abhinay Deo sticks to the tropes, the film goes south in its reveal, which barely lives up to the buildup.
Nov 2016
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Khandaani Shafakhana
Debutante filmmaker Shilpi Dasgupta needed a nudge in the right direction to get all the pieces to fit and to tie the loose ends.
Aug 2019
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Filmistaan
It is still worth a watch, at least for a genuinely unique protagonist that almost overshadows a botched-up final act.
Jun 2014
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Baby
For all its machinations, Baby is a step in the right direction for an ailing genre, albeit a slightly bloated and infantile step at that.
Jan 2015
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Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon
This film is reminiscent of the goofball comedies that worked in the 90s. The dialogues may not be rib-ticklers but the tone and interpretation of a situation could earn a chuckle or two.
Sep 2015
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Jai Gangaajal
Prakash Jha before the camera has an undoubtedly better run in Jai Gangaajal than Prakash Jha behind the camera.
Mar 2016
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Behen Hogi Teri
It's easy to forsake this film as regressive and the society portrayed here as dated and disconnected from reality. But then, when have screwball comedies in Hindi cinema subscribed to being politically accurate or sensitive?
Jun 2017
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Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi
An issue with this one is that it sets up elaborate gags or even scenes which would be hilarious if fleshed out but then, there’s very little writing to fall back on.
Aug 2018
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Kedarnath
The jaded construct of throwing two people from diametrically different worlds and hoping they’d be drawn if not fascinated by the other’s niceties may have worked from Jab Jab Phool Khile to Raja Hindustani but in 2018, it doesn’t cut it.
Dec 2018
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The Tashkent Files
...the makers had plenty of source material to create a genuinely thought-provoking film. This is what makes the movie’s lack of self-awareness even more jarring. The entire exercise is a completely wasted opportunity.
Apr 2019
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Entertainment
I recommend this for viewers who genuinely believe in leave-your-brains-at-home fare.
Aug 2014
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The Shaukeens
...more than what The Shaukeens does right, its redeeming qualities are strictly contained within what it doesn't do wrong.
Nov 2014
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Guddu Rangeela
Kapoor doesn't manage to establish the same mood he did in his previous directorial venture, Jolly LLB, but does enough to keep you hooked for almost 75 per cent of the film, before it begins to drag.
Jul 2015
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Mubarakan
How many Arjun Kapoors are required to crack a comedy? Based on this film, clearly not enough.
Jul 2017