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Jagga Jasoos
Catering to every childhood fantasy, Jagga Jasoos keeps you hopeful and rooting for its spectacled snoop, especially in situations where chances of the eponymous jasoos' survival seem bleak.
Jul 2017
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Tumhari Sulu
Director Suresh Triveni draws from his ad-film experience to assemble a tightly-knitted story but loses focus in the second half.
Nov 2017
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De De Pyaar De
Akiv Ali (director, editor) and Luv Ranjan (producer, writer, screenplay) know precisely what each scene in this film is supposed to do and score largely for the tropes they don’t introduce to this story. The build-up gets dangerously close to that tipping point from where one expects it to nose-dive, but it doesn’t.
May 2019
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Saand Ki Aankh
The story of these geriatric grannies who refuse to be determined by their circumstances, age or social barriers, and dare to stray beyond their defined perimeter to break through lends an inspiring narrative. In this regard, Saand Ki Aankh touches a necessary nerve.
Oct 2019
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Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan
The extent to which this film will influence minds or shape opinion on our queer brethren is debatable, but it’s surely a breezy watch. And in this era of iron-fisted rule, it might just be a good idea.
Feb 2020
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My Friend Pinto
Pinto had a chance to go beyond what it is - a relentless, madcap, physical comedy. But it stops short of relevance, substance, and depth.
Oct 2011
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Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi
...is far from the tight, flawless film it could've been.
Aug 2012
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Lakshmi
It makes you cringe for important reasons though, and must be watched for its relentless pursuit of relevance and authenticity.
Mar 2014
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Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain
This isn't an easy event to storify, because it is even harder to watch. While much of it merely lends grainy well-cut images to pages we've been hesitant to read about, this is a film that shouldn't be escaped.
Dec 2014
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TE3N
...Dasgupta is committed in manipulating precisely what the audience notices, assumes and predicts from what plays out on the screen.
Jun 2016
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Sniff
That Gupte has the knack of weaving a mountain of a minuscule story is known and even here, while little happens, there's much mood and mayhem to keep you curious and interested through the proceedings.
Aug 2017
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Veere Di Wedding
While this one works as a breezy film on girl bonding, it gets a bit tedious while taking a stab at patriarchy. In fact, a message it hopes to convey on the societal pressures endured by women is lazily tucked into a dialogue. “Pehle shaadi karo, phir bachcha, phir bachcha hua toh doosre bachche ka pressure.” It almost seems like old whine in a new bottle.
Jun 2018
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Panipat
Ashutosh Gowariker has Sanjay Leela Bhansali to blame for elevating the scale and cinematic impact of battle sequences. Gowariker ticks all the boxes but struggles to conceptualise out-of-the-box stunts or sequences that could potentially throw us off.
Dec 2019
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Udaan
...is real and sharp, the story telling brisk despite the silences, the nuanced music fits in well, and the debutant director displays a sure, deft hand.
Jul 2010
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Band Baaja Baaraat
..a fun, honestly made movie, with an engaging storyline, superb dialogue and sassy music...
Dec 2010
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Arjun
Just don’t go expecting Pixar levels of razzmatazz; and you’ll come away appreciative.
May 2012
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Mulk
Director Anubhav Sinha touches a relevant nerve with Mulk, and this fictional story seems believable as marginalised groups continue to be routinely targeted in this country.
Aug 2018
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No Fathers In Kashmir
Director Kumar manages to infuse a matter-of-fact manner in interpreting the grave issues covered. While he deliberately singles out religious fanatics from militants who consider themselves patriots, the delicate handling of the subject-matter retains the gravity of the issue, without being too overwhelming.
Apr 2019
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Dhoom 3
It's Dhoom man! It's about Jai, Ali, bikes, Katrina and that god of acting Aamir Khan!
Dec 2013
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Badrinath Ki Dulhania
...treading the fine line between preachy and peachy, this one keeps you intermittently entertained and interested in the proceedings, even while the shallow attempt at female empowerment seems a bit jaded.
Mar 2017
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Why Cheat India
From the very first frame, this one has its audience figured. It knows that someone who’s drawn to a Hashmi caper has specific expectations — glib dialogue baazi, a lip-lock or three, and a surreal conman who can charm the pants off his partner.
Jan 2019
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India‘s Most Wanted
Given the compelling material to work with at hand, this could’ve rendered a cracking, edge-of-the-seat watch. But predictable turns and lack of cinematic liberties fail to infuse the film with much-required tension.
May 2019
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Made In China
Given the premise, Mikhil Musale had a potential rib-tickler here. But while he manages to keep one interested and attentive through a large part of the film, his inability to hold the story together, particularly towards the end, takes the wind out of this one.
Oct 2019
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Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
...is thirty minutes too long, predictable, and is nowhere near as good as Zoya Akhtar's debut film. But it is gorgeous looking and has some noteworthy moments...
Jul 2011
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A Gentleman
...this offering which packs in comedy, action and everything else, yet doesn't entirely fit into the 'masala' construct. Managing this is a feat in itself.
Aug 2017
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Badla
...while it manages to hold your attention and interest for the large part, the proceedings tend to occasionally get a bit too theatrical.
Mar 2019
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Pati Patni Aur Woh
...while it manages to update the betrayed spouse as vengeful partner keen on getting even, the other woman continues to be a dispensable accessory to the equation.
Dec 2019