Sachin Chatte

Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis stands out as an exceptional film and ranks among the finest war films produced in our country. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable true story of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, Raghavan has skillfully created a narrative that encourages reflection, emotional engagement, empathy, and makes you admire the craft of film making that takes the road less travelled.

One might not expect that a film released in 1997, centered around a giant snake, would spawn four sequels and a Mandarin version that premiered earlier this year. Anaconda was a light-hearted and entertaining film that captivated audiences at the time. Some films and all snakes should be left alone – Anaconda is certainly one of them- the film and snake, both.

Directed by Sameer Vidwans, the film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri is proof that a film and it’s title can be overwhelmingly long. The title itself gives us adequate warning and feels like an endurance test, and the film faithfully lives up to it. By the midpoint, which feels like an eternity, one realizes that only half of the title has been addressed.

When Avatar (2009) came 16 years ago, it broke new ground on many fronts, especially with the visual effects. Although it took some time for the sequel, The Way of Water (2022), to arrive, but because the story was set in a familiar world and technology had advanced sufficiently by then, it didn’t have the same appeal as the original.

The Maddock supernatural universe is growing at a pace that surpasses the Big Bang. The achievements of Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya have led to the introduction of a new character, Thamma. This film, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, who previously delivered the sleeper hit Munjya last year, presents fairly conventional content and storytelling.

Based on the screenplay by Charlie Huston, who also authored the original novel in 2004, Caught Stealing is a crime caper that smoothly shifts gears, culminating in a climax that will largely leave you feeling satisfied, as the end credits begin to roll.

Directed by one half of the Safdie brothers, Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine is inspired by the true story of wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, Mark Kerr. Although it follows a conventional biopic format, the narrative and the themes it delves into sets it apart from others. Safdie, in his debut solo directorial effort, rightfully earned the Best Director award at the Venice International Film Festival a couple of months ago. Under the direction of a different filmmaker, this narrative could have easily veered off course.

In light of the tremendous success of Kantara (2022), it was inevitable that another film would follow. Kantara: Chapter 1 serves as a prequel and is characterized by its larger scale, and heightened ambition. With a runtime of nearly 3 hours, the filmmakers have opted for a grand approach, and as a visual experience, Chapter 1 certainly delivers. However, it does feel somewhat excessive and might have benefited from a more trimmed version, but then it is what it is.