Sachin Chatte

It is impossible to watch this film set in Kashmir without keeping in the mind the tragedy that unfolded in Pahalgam, a couple of days ago. Ground Zero, which draws inspiration from the valor of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, is set within the context of the Kashmir conflict, albeit during a different period.

Since his acclaimed debut film, Fruitvale Station (2013), and the subsequent Black Panther installments, Ryan Coogler has adeptly transitioned from independent cinema to high-budget productions, establishing himself as a director of significant interest. In an era where quality standalone films are increasingly scarce in Hollywood, overshadowed by a flood of sequels and superhero narratives, it is refreshing to to encounter a film like Sinners, which reflects a writer/director’s desire to convey a story rather than conform to studio demands.

Barring the title and the fact that both films are about patriotism, Kesari 2 has no connection with its predecessor. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, this film, titled The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, is indeed a patriotic narrative; however, its central storyline, which revolves around a courtroom drama, is fictional.

Amateur, directed by James Hawes, is a contemporary adaptation of the novel of the same name, which was previously made into a film featuring John Savage and Christopher Plummer. This spy thriller, while not groundbreaking, delivers sufficient thrills. It could easily be likened to a Jason Bourne or Jack Reacher film, but instead, we follow Charlie, the titular Amateur. Unlike James Bond, who possesses a license to kill, Charlie holds a license as a cryptographer for the CIA. With an IQ exceeding 170, he adeptly gathers and synthesizes information from diverse sources, quickly proving his exceptional skills. It is also evident that he is deeply in love with his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), and their affection is reciprocated. However, when Sarah embarks on a business rip to London, she never returns, having been taken hostage and subsequently killed.

Jaat marks the directorial debut of Gopichand Malineni, who has primarily worked in Telugu cinema, blending the characteristics of a North Indian hero with southern elements. In this action film, Sunny Deol portrays an angry old man capable of single-handedly confronting and defeating an army of villains. It has been nearly twenty-five years since he famously uprooted a hand pump to vanquish his foes; this time, he utilizes a ceiling fan, a wooden column, and other unconventional objects as weapons. At one point, he proclaims, “Yeh dhai kilo haath ko awaaz North sun chuka hain ab South sunega“ (The sound of these two-and-a-half-kilo hands has been heard in the North; now the South will hear it) This film is a quintessential action movie that could be classified as a ‘masala film’; however, the masala genre typically does not include scenes of decapitation. In some instances, heads are tossed into someone’s hands, while in others, headless bodies are seen moving about, raising questions about the medical plausibility of such scenarios, where men walk akin to a headless chicken. Many acclaimed action films, such as Pulp Fiction, feature blood and gore but often with stylized action choreography. In contrast, this film relies heavily on sickles and swords to sever body parts, to the extent that the censor board had to pixelate several graphic scenes.

In his approximately 35-year career, director Steven Soderbergh has made more than a handful of remarkable films. Although he occasionally takes breaks, but he still remains a highly prolific filmmaker. This year, he has two new releases: Black Bag and Presence, the latter is a horror film and both are written by David Koepp. Black Bag is a gripping and entertaining spy thriller that showcases Soderbergh’s distinctive style. The film features an exceptional lead duo, Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, who portray a married couple, George and Kathryn. Both work for the British intelligence agency and appear to be deeply in love—until complications arise. As a spy thriller, “Black Bag” combines the intellectual depth of a John Le Carré novel with the romantic tension characteristic of a Hitchcock film, a director not typically associated with romance. The film successfully balances style and substance, a rarity in cinema these days.

Following the releases of Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan in 2015 and 2016, respectively, Salman Khan’s career has faced a downward trajectory marked by a series of unsuccessful films. His popularity has waned, and the arrival of Sikander has been met with little excitement, suggesting it may also depart the same way. Despite the involvement of A.R. Murgadoss, you would expect some kind of anticipation to build up but maybe the filmmakers knew it was a lost cause.. The only positive aspect is that Sikander is not as bad as Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) Radhe (2021) or Tubelight (2017), but then that is not saying much. The standards have fallen so low in recent years that they have reached rock bottom.

Empuraan, the sequel to the 2019 Malayalam film Lucifer, is a high-budget, globe-trotting actioner reminiscent of productions from YRF or the Tamil and Telugu film industry. The success of its predecessor has elevated the scale and ambition of this installment. However, with such ambition often comes the risk of overlooking essential elements in favor of a grander vision. In this instance, the screenplay suffers due to an emphasis on extravagant action, where style frequently overshadows substance. At nearly three hours in length, the film initially packs in a great deal of content but later tends to meander. Prithviraj, who has transitioned from actor to director, possesses the vision necessary for a project of this magnitude, yet the foundational material must be robust. The film clearly aims to appeal to mass audiences, featuring slow-motion sequences and other stylistic choices. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this approach, it occasionally aspires to get serious,, and the fusion of these elements does not always produce the desired effect. It is helpful to recall key details from Lucifer, which was released five years ago. The narrative reintroduces international crime syndicates and the underworld, with Khureshi (Mohanlal) returning to the fray. Regrettably, the local character Stephen Nedumpally, also portrayed by Mohanlal and central to the action in Lucifer, takes a back seat in this sequel.