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Sonal Pandya

Times Now and Zoom

Sonal Pandya is the Associate Producer for Times Now and Zoom, and earlier worked at Hindustan Times, and Cinestaan.com as deputy editor. Prior to becoming a film journalist, she worked as a CG artist and digital compositor in the animation industry.

All reviews by Sonal Pandya

Image of scene from the film The Sheep Detectives

The Sheep Detectives

Comedy, Family, Mystery (English)

Hugh Jackman's Murder Comedy Surprises, Enchants In Best Ways

Fri, May 8 2026

Directed by Kyle Balda, the murder comedy is an engaging feature the whole family can enjoy.

The film adaptation of The Sheep Detectives manages to surprise you on several fronts. Yes, it has talking animals but the concept is not cloying but rather essential to this mystery about the death of a shepherd. As the feature delves to uncover the killer, the characters charm and delight as they mill about the vast English countryside. Written by Craig Mazin, the movie goes beyond the murder to explore themes of death, grief and family. With punchy jokes and lots of physical comedy, The Sheep Detectives is a heartwarming film that everyone can dig into.

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Image of scene from the film Swapped

Swapped

Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy (English)

Michael B Jordan Leads Animated Freaky Friday Tale On Unity, Compassion

Fri, May 1 2026

Directed by Nathan Greno, the body swap tale between two creatures of an enchanted forest is surprisingly touching.

Produced by Skydance Animation, the new Netflix animated feature Swapped tells the story of a magical valley that has fallen on hard times. A woodland creature and a majestic bird swap bodies to figure out a way to restore it to its glory. While the storytelling and look of the animated fable feel a bit familiar, its sure-handed execution is what sees Swapped through. Nathan Greno’s film is led by the stunning visuals and empathetic voice performances of actors Michael B Jordan, Juno Temple and Tracy Morgan. The Netflix film is a perfect lesson to introduce children about compassion towards others, though very young children might find the latter portions a bit scary.

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Image of scene from the film Undekhi S04

Undekhi S04

Crime, Drama (Hindi)

Manali Crime Thriller Grows Laboured With Exhausted Revenge Saga

Fri, May 1 2026

The crime drama returns for another dense instalment that pits uncle and nephew on opposite sides of the conflict.

Created by Deepak Segal, Swati Patnaik, and Shreyashi Mukherjee, Undekhi started out as an insightful commentary on power, wealth and corruption. The first season hit it off on all cylinders, but this latest season has devolved as it has essentially recycled storylines to create a wedge between the once-close Papaji and Rinku Atwal. Directed by Ashish R Shukla, the once-familiar characters become one-note in their mission to get at the truth. But the one-promising Hindi thriller keeps hitting a reset button with every season.

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Image of scene from the film Stranger Things: Tales From '85

Stranger Things: Tales From '85

Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery, Action & Adventure (English)

Animated Spinoff Returns To Hawkins For Familiar Standalone Adventure

Mon, April 27 2026

Developed by Eric Robles and Jennifer Muro, the animated spinoff adventure takes viewers on an exciting side quest.

On December 31, 2025, the Duffer Brothers brought their long-running series, Stranger Things, about the supernatural events in the town of Hawkins, Indiana, to an end. Vecna has been vanished and the Upside Down has been dealt with. However, a new animated series, Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, winds the clock to take viewers between Seasons 2 and 3 for a new battle with some familiar but different monsters from the Upside Down. The stakes of the show are decidedly lower, as dedicated fans know what’s going to happen. But the series might just rope in younger audiences who have yet to discover the live-action series and might be motivated to check in after this.

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Image of scene from the film Criminal Record S02

Criminal Record S02

Crime, Drama (English)

Peter Capaldi, Cush Jumbo's Crime Thriller Delves Into Complex Political Arc

Sat, April 25 2026

The British drama returns for a tense round two that uncovers a chilling terror plot in London.

In the first season of Criminal Record, a senior police officer and a younger female cop clashed while dealing with an anonymous tip on an old murder case. Opening up the case exposed internal corruption that caused a big rift between the two, but the two are reunited in the new season that asks some difficult questions of the duo. Created by Paul Rutman, the Apple TV was a slow-burn thriller in the first season. It raises both the stakes and the pace for the second instalment which pushes its boundaries quite far.

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Image of scene from the film Margo's Got Money Troubles

Margo's Got Money Troubles

Drama, Comedy (English)

Elle Fanning Is Outstanding In Family Drama About Unplanned Pregnancy

Wed, April 15 2026

Based on the novel by Rufi Thorpe, the funny yet heartwarming TV series follows a young woman who gets knocked up by her college professor and decides to keep the baby

It takes a village to raise a child and the latest Apple TV series, Margot’s Got Money Troubles, enforces that notion. Created by David E. Kelley, it stars Elle Fanning in the lead as the title character, Margo Millet. Margo’s life does a 180 degrees once she becomes pregnant, but she remains committed to being the best mother that she can be to her child. The eight-part series takes some unexpected turns, particularly after Margo decides to create an OnlyFans account to earn money. But it’s the performances from the stellar cast that keeps the series grounded, as they all come together to help Margo raise her baby.

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Image of scene from the film Euphoria S03

Euphoria S03

Drama (English)

Zendaya Is Lone Bright Spot In Overhauled Drama That Shows Few Sparks

Wed, April 15 2026

Created by Sam Levinson, the HBO drama returns after four years to completely revamp the tone and characters fans have known and loved.

The Euphoria that fans loved from 2019 to 2022 is no more. The HBO series is back after four years for a third season with a five-year time jump to show the characters out of high school. But this new version of Euphoria has gone through a rehaul and the premiere episode has turned into a bizarre Western with Zendaya’s Rue leading the charge. While the writing and direction are largely uneven, the actors save the muddled attempt at Euphoria 2.0, which is still worth tuning in to, for nostalgia’s sake.

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Image of scene from the film The Boys S05

The Boys S05

Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure (English)

Timely Superhero Satire Hurtles Forward In Gory, Satisfying Finale

Sun, April 12 2026

In its final season, the gang goes all out to stop the evil Homelander, who has become more unhinged than ever.

After seven years and 32 episodes, The Boys is finally in its home stretch. The Amazon Prime Video series, based on the comic book series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, features a group called The Boys that wants to take down egomaniacal Homelander (Antony Starr), the leader of the world’s Supes. With each season, Homelander has become more and more deranged and powerful. As the stories in the superhero satire begin to echo the real-life events of our world, the show has turned into more of a drama than the social commentary it was meant to be. In the final battle, the characters viewers have grown to love and hate over five seasons are fighting for life and death in a gruesome and dark ending.

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