Sanyukta Thakare

The latest British show has become one of the most talked about series in the recent weeks and rightfully so. Created and written by Paul Doolan, the show is led by infamous Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth. Following different cases each episode, the series explores the stories of a small town in Wales which unexpectedly holds home to one of the most iconic crime thriller actors of all time (in their universe). The series explores his relationship with a cop, while also delving deeper into the minds and world of the people in and around the town. The show begins with an introduction to Wales cop and detective Sergeant Janie Mallowan played by Gwyneth Keyworth. Her quirky personality is isn’t the thing that separates her from others as everyone in the station is eccentric in their own way. But her eagerness to do her job seems to the thing that sets her apart from others. Though different motivations are at play, her first case on the show puts her in touch with her cinematic hero and a national treasure, an actor who played the detective Cesar.

The film brings back the hits of the franchise possibly to revive it, but it only brings back some novelty with nostalgia of the 2000s filmmaking similar to Step Up series but with more fighting. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, the sixth instalment in the franchise has Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, reprising their roles, while introducing Ben Wang as the main lead alongside Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, and Ming-Na Wen. With a short run time, the film stays focused on the action sequences, but fails to evoke any emotional connection with the characters like the previous films did. It begins with Ben Wang’s Li Fong’s mother announcing that she is moving to New York, after the death of her old son and Li has to come along with her. Li’s brother’s death left the family broken and now, Li isn’t allowed to fight either. His mother’s one rule is ‘No Violence’ and he breaks it the first day back at school. Li makes friend’s with one of the girls who lives in his area and also goes to his new school. She and her father runs the Pizza place, but they also have a connection to fighting. To save their shop Mia’s father decides to enter a street fight competition with a massive winning prize, but after watching Li fight, he wants Li to help him win.

Directed and written by Mehran Amrohi, the film saw a long awaited release. The film has finally hit the screens decade later amid all the remakes and reboots. With a fresh and easy emotional story to follow, the film is an endearing tale of childhood innocence that we still have and aspire for as adults. However, the plot on forefront is a gruelling tale of two kids who have lost their father and in doing so lost their childhood too. The film begins with two brothers playing in the backyard of the chawl. Both Shanu and Bua love to loiter around as any kid would want to, but as any mother would, their mother, now the sole parent can’t bare the thought of losing the kids too. Worrying after then while also worrying about how to get by line after the death of their husband, the sole breadearner, Vaishnavi is left with no other option but to send the kids to work. The decision is not only to make sure they are walk the right path in life but to also help earn a living.

The show has returned for a new season with a new story that explores another crime. Directed by Rohan Sippy, the season 4 follows another criminal case taken on by Pankaj Tripathi’s character, Madhav Mishra. Mishra is known for fighting against injustice and for his clients, but this time, instead of taking a pro bono case, he finally accepts a case from a wealthy client. Even though it puts him at odds with a high-paying consultant job, Mishra decides to stick by his client and do justice to him. Season 4 does take a different path as compared to the plots in previous seasons, but Mishra hasn’t changed, which keeps the audience rooted in the story. Season 4 begins with Mishra taking on a consulting job for a big law firm to keep up with his status. The first case he is asked to be part of has him convincing the victim to settle, as it would be in his best interest. With a small settlement amount, Mishra begins to learn how the big companies work, however, it doesn’t sit well with him. On the other hand, Anju Nagpal wants Mishra to take on her husband’s case as is getting arrested by the cops for his girlfriend’s murder. Anju who lives right across walked in on Raj Nagpal holding a bleeding body of his GF Roshini after hearing their maid’s distressed scream.

Inheritance directed by Neil Burger of Limitless, Divergent, The Marsh King’s Daughter, also brings the similar thrill to the 2025 release. Led by Phoebe Dynevor aka Daphne Bridgerton of the hit Netflix series, the film is a crime drama with thriller elements that manage to keep you hooked. But the film doesn’t bring anything new or extraordinary to its genre with its direction or writing. The camera work approach does change things up, but it doesn’t change the experience of the film or the story. The film follows a Maya Welsh after the death of her mother, who she had been caring for the last nine months, watching her die. Maya losses her way after the death of her mother, and while her sister is worried about her, Maya jumps at the first chance to reconnect with her estrange father. Sam Welsh is played by Rhys Ifans, best known for his recent Game Of Thrones prequel character Ser Otto Hightower, shows up at the funeral after being out of touch for years. On showing up the first he does is offers a job to his daughter as a real-estate agent in Egypt.

Bhool Chuk Maaf explores the time loop concept for the first time in Bollywood. The concept was rampant in Hollywood movies in early 2000s for chick flicks and made a comeback few years ago with comedy elements. However, Rajkummar Rao’s film gives its own spin to it. Still focusing on the social lesson behind it, the film brings along a comedy family entertainer about wedding which is just right for the season. Apart from good performances and comic relief the film’s music is also worth visiting theatres for. The film follows Ranjan and Titli’s love story and what the two go through to make sure they end up with each other. While Titli’s struggle is more based in reality and how women sacrifice in relationships, Ranjan’s struggle to win her over is more supernatural. Bhool Chuck Maaf begins with Ranjan and Titli running away from home to get married, but ending up in police station to get permission from their parents. Their wedding in fixed on one condition, Ranjan has to prove he is capable of taking care of Titli by landing a government job. The father-in-law asks for the condition to be met in mere one month, but Titli asking for some consideration lands Ranjan extra 30 days to land the job.

Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, the franchise returns with a fresh perspective and many nostalgic moments. Titled Final Destination Bloodlines, the film brings forth exactly what it promises with the title and the trailer. The story is pretty simple and follows through with every other film in the franchise, but the direction and screenplay get a major upgrade. The film takes you from cheering for the characters, rooting for them to surive to cheering for death and fullfilling his own destiny by taking everyone out.

Maria Callas was an infamous opera singer known as one of the most renowned sopranos of the 20th century. Directed by Pablo Larrain of Spencer on Princess Diana and Jackie on Jacqueline Kennedy, this too does not disappoint with its storytelling and cinematography. Maria, is the third film by Pablo about an influential female public figure and it does not attempt to life the character or break it down. Instead we get a look into what little we know of the finale days of her life and career. The film follows the seven days before her death in Paris in 1977, as she reflects on her life and career.