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Tera Intezaar
Zoya does try desperately to transcend the obvious, to mean the message rather than say it, like say a 'Sideways' or 'Lost in Translation' does. And though she knocks on the door of this transcendence, she is unable to pass through.
Jul 2011
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Zero
This film reimagines the all-consuming charisma of its leading man with a cool spin, but constantly cushions it in padding just in case he falls. The result is a middling vaudeville occasionally lifted by a clever line or a peak in the music score, pushing towards a trite and predictable climax that can be seen from space.
Dec 2018
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Zanjeer
In the end-credits song, Priyanka Chopra says, “Oooh, is that a gun? Can I hold it please?” I know what I would do with it.
Sep 2013
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Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Though beautifully picturised and entertaining enough, this film is old wine in a new bottle.
Jun 2013
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X: Past is Present
The idea is interesting, but is not executed too well as the screenplay seems fraught with confusion.
Nov 2015
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Why Cheat India
...is a neatly-observed film that needed more tonal clarity to be taken seriously. It features a refreshingly amoral protagonist, portrayed by a talented male lead — but the faux-thriller-like posturings of what is essentially a dark social satire gives him little elbow room to play with.
Jan 2019
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Wazir
Bad films only leave a bad taste in your mouth. But films like Wazir that had great potential upset your stomach.
Jan 2016
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Warning
For most of the movie, I was wondering how these people can tread water and quarrel about long-forgotten things, as if they were on holiday instead of in mortal danger.
Sep 2013
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War
Despite the toughness of its leading men, the film tires them out with its convoluted writing — which, I am afraid, is the only villain in this skirmish. The rest are just in it for the money.
Oct 2019
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Waiting
...may be funereal in the larger scheme of things but it is a joy to see two great actors in fine form playing characters that learn from each other.
May 2016
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Uri
...plays out in the precarious sub-genre of the 'well-made' propaganda. The ambitious production design and consistent visual flair come scarily close to masking out the timely histrionics. The film is well-executed, if not well-intended.
Jan 2019
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Ujda Chaman
The result is a tone that’s constantly wobbly, from jokey to insensitivity.
Nov 2019
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Udta Punjab
One of the finest things about Udta Punjab is it doesn't wish to take any form of high ground. All it does is tell the story of four people in a land where drugs are a real problem. It neither glorifies nor offers moral science lessons.
Jun 2016
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Tumbbad
It is not easy for a subversive horror film to trim away its genre tentacles and still land an 800-screen release. Tumbbad has pulled off a rare trade-off, but its authenticity has taken some beating. It is the closest we have come to breaking new ground, but is it really the way forward?
Oct 2018
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Tubelight
...feels inconsequential at every step and we are also forced to brave what is possibly Salman’s worst performance in recent times.
Jun 2017
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Tribhanga
While the content suffers from being stretched a bit too much, the performances make Tribhanga a decently engaging watch.
Jan 2021
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Mar 2017
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Traffic
The theme manoeuvring through Traffic is of empathy and second chance. It is sometimes subtle, other times shoved in your face.
May 2016
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Total Dhamaal
Shall we blame a slapstick comedy for sticking to the slaps? There’s little that’s freshly funny about Total Dhamaal...
Feb 2019
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The Zoya Factor
A love story is only as good as its leads, and Abhishek Sharma gets the casting right.
Sep 2019
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The Xpose
It is presented neither as fantasy nor as pulp which could have been a better treatment idea for this. The stench of the cesspit here is ineffable.
May 2014
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The Tashkent Files
...becomes increasingly weird as it goes along. A chaos of quotes, citations, claims and counterclaims grab you by the throat.
Apr 2019
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The Sky Is Pink
With The Sky Is Pink, Shonali Bose has crafted a happy dream. And she is more than willing to admit it.
Oct 2019
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The Sky Is Pink
...is just so needlessly smutty, when it sets out to do just the opposite. It's bump and grind without enough perspective.
Dec 2011
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The Body
For all its seemingly palpable tension, its weak and predictable screenplay leaves The Body... weighted and cold.
Dec 2019
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The Accidental Prime Minister
Films like The Accidental Prime Minister make a strong case against the politicisation of Indian cinema. They embarrass both sides with their shoddiness, and expose strange limitations of the medium...
Jan 2019
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That Girl in Yellow Boots
...is spot on in almost all departments. It is carried forward by a stellar performance from its cast, especially Kalki Kochelin, who's also the co-writer.
Sep 2011
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Thappad
Taapsee is at her best fusing fortitude with doubt. She unfurls the timidity of her character without making her sympathetic.
Feb 2020
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Thanks Maa
...is worth watching for Shams’ incredibly mature and touching performance.
Mar 2010