Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan talks about a serious subject but gives it a lighter treatment. Touted to be a quirky take on same-sex love, the film traces the journey and struggle of ... Read more
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan talks about a serious subject but gives it a lighter treatment. Touted to be a quirky take on same-sex love, the film traces the journey and struggle of a gay couple — Aman Tripathi and Kartik Singh played by Jitendra Kumar and Ayushmann Khurrana respectively. The film takes on homophobia, and not homosexuality. It showcases the reluctance of the family to embrace their son’s sexuality and instead, be in denial. Aman and Kartik are a happy gay couple living together in Delhi. Back in Allahabad, Aman’s parents are oblivious to his sexual preference and are trying to set him up with Kusum played by Pankhuri Awasthy. It’s during a train journey for a wedding that Tripathi family gets to know of Aman and Kartik’s relationship. Rest of the film is about them convincing the family, breaking stereotypes and working towards a ‘happy ending’ they feel they deserve. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is an important film about an important subject conveyed in the simplest way. It’s absolutely a family entertainer. Read more
Malang begins with a high voltage fight sequence and soon Aditya Roy Kapur goes on a killing spree; then a flashback as we are familiarized with Aditya and Disha Patani's love stor ... Read more
Malang begins with a high voltage fight sequence and soon Aditya Roy Kapur goes on a killing spree; then a flashback as we are familiarized with Aditya and Disha Patani's love story; cut to the present day where he’s again killing cops; and wham, we are back in the past. A series of events unfold to reveal the climax. Yes, that's pretty much the order in which the film tries to keep you invested. Director Mohit Suri, who has earlier helmed Kalyug, Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, frequently references his past works. While the film is backed by some intense performances from Aditya, Anil Kapoor, and Kunal Kemmu, its wafer-thin plot makes you wonder why such films are still being made in Bollywood. Set in Goa, the film shows Advait Thakur (Aditya) and Sara (Disha) meeting at a rave party and instantly falling in love. Soon they decide to make each moment count and live life to the fullest. However, one encounter with the cops changes their fate and the story turns into a revenge drama. As Advait goes on a killing spree, we meet Anjaney Agashe (Anil Kapoor) -- a trigger-happy cop who believes in closing cases with his gun – and the yin to his yang, by-the-book policeman Michael Rodriguez (Kunal Kemmu). Soon after, everyone is killing everyone, and that’s about it. Watch Malang if you really must. It rides on the thrill quotient where Aditya and Kunal impress while Disha stuns, but that’s about it. The plot ends up looking like a mockery of a subject that needed better storytelling. Read more
Panga is an honest, relatable film and a sincere ode to motherhood and those countless sacrifices that a woman makes for her family. Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Panga presents ... Read more
Panga is an honest, relatable film and a sincere ode to motherhood and those countless sacrifices that a woman makes for her family. Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Panga presents the finer points of our daily lives as compelling cinema. Panga is a must-watch for the way it’s told and for being real from the word go. Read more
Tanhaji (Ajay Devgan) narrates the story of yet another unsung Maratha hero. Also starring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol, the film is a visual spectacle from the word go with elaborate s ... Read more
Tanhaji (Ajay Devgan) narrates the story of yet another unsung Maratha hero. Also starring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol, the film is a visual spectacle from the word go with elaborate sets, larger than life characters and edge-of-the-seat war scenes. You come out of the theatre calling it a paisa vasool film. Read more
Chhapaak is based on a real-life incident of acid attack violence and a survivor’s (Laxmi Aggarwal) story. Chhapaak narrates the story of 19-year-old Malti (Padukone) who, as a hap ... Read more
Chhapaak is based on a real-life incident of acid attack violence and a survivor’s (Laxmi Aggarwal) story. Chhapaak narrates the story of 19-year-old Malti (Padukone) who, as a happy teenager, aspired to be a singer, but ‘chhapaak’ of acid changes the course of her life. It’s a sensitive, brave and gut-wrenching story that’s not easy to watch, but definitely worth telling. Read more
Good Newwz brings glad tidings – we get a talented cast led by Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor Khan, a story that resonates with parents and those desperate to begin their family, ... Read more
Good Newwz brings glad tidings – we get a talented cast led by Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor Khan, a story that resonates with parents and those desperate to begin their family, and a delightful mix of comedy and emotions that never gets preachy. Read more
Mardaani 2 is a compelling watch that makes you uncomfortable time and again but stays with you for a long time. Written and directed by Gopi Puthran with Rani Mukerji in the lead ... Read more
Mardaani 2 is a compelling watch that makes you uncomfortable time and again but stays with you for a long time. Written and directed by Gopi Puthran with Rani Mukerji in the lead role, the edge-of-the-seat thriller packs a punch and evokes the desired angst in you, as it highlights the gruesome crimes against women and also delves deeper into issues such as women safety, gender inequality and misogyny. Superintendent of police, Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukerji) is out to capture a criminal (Vishal Jethwa) who rapes young women in a fit of rage before cruelly murdering them. The trouble is, he is always one step ahead of the cops, playing a cat-and-mouse game on his own terms. Mardaani 2 is not the first film to bring heinous crimes under the spotlight but it manages to tap into social consciousness given its timing. As the nation seethes after the horrendous rape and murder of a doctor in Hyderabad and its aftermath, the film once again takes us back to the brutality of such crimes and how we need a firm solution. Though it’s not for the weak hearted, it’s definitely a story that needs to be told repeatedly till these crimes stop. Read more
Bala is way more than just a good comedy film. It cracks right jokes at the right time and leaves you in stitches much more than you would expect. Director Amar Kaushik understands ... Read more
Bala is way more than just a good comedy film. It cracks right jokes at the right time and leaves you in stitches much more than you would expect. Director Amar Kaushik understands the mechanics well – something he displayed earlier in Stree, and Bala takes it a notch higher. The film starring Ayushmann Khurrana as a prematurely balding man is outrageously hilarious and empathetic at the same time. It introduces a quirky subject and builds on it with a single-minded commitment without meandering towards needless subplots. Dealing with a bald pate and having tried some 212 odd hacks in two years that range from wacky to obnoxious, Ayushmann finally decides to wear a wig and goes from being the joke of the town to the talk of the town. Set in Kanpur, the film also stars Bhumi Pednekar and Yami Gautam who shine in their respective parts as a dark-skinned yet confident lawyer and a small town model turned TikTok sensation. What happens when Bala falls in love and his secret is out. Will his happiness fade like his hairline? Watch Bala for all this and more. Read more
Based on the life of India's oldest sharpshooters, sisters-in-law Chandro and Prakashi, Saand Ki Aankh is an inspiring tale touching upon pertinent points such as gender equality a ... Read more
Based on the life of India's oldest sharpshooters, sisters-in-law Chandro and Prakashi, Saand Ki Aankh is an inspiring tale touching upon pertinent points such as gender equality and women empowerment. Directed by debutant Tushar Hiranandani, the film stars Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar as shooter daadis who deal with the patriarchal ways of the society while finding joy in a sport that no men in their household can tolerate them pursuing. With some stellar performances, the film weaves in various emotions and sends across the message it intends to. However, the poorly done prosthetic is an eyesore and there isn’t enough detailing put into making the makeup look consistent. Read more
Directed by Shonali Bose, The Sky is Pink is based on the real life story of Aisha Chaudhary. A the tale of an terminally-ill teenager waiting to embrace death yet making each day ... Read more
Directed by Shonali Bose, The Sky is Pink is based on the real life story of Aisha Chaudhary. A the tale of an terminally-ill teenager waiting to embrace death yet making each day count, and a grief-stricken family trying to cope with this loss, it touches your heart from the word go. Starring Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim and Rohit Saraf as a close-knit family, the film transports you to a world that's all about celebrating life and death. Aisha's voiceover narrating the journey of her parents — Aditi aka Moose and Niren aka Panda — is heartfelt while she’s trying hard to make us believe that it's okay, in fact, cool to die. Though it's known that Aisha is dead, it's the journey the family goes through while dealing with the impending death of their loved one, that keeps us invested for most of the time. Watch The Sky Is Pink for its a heartwarming story narrated with a balanced mix of emotions. While the performances shine, the story, too, leaves an impact minus any noteworthy loophole. Read more
