Srivathsan Nadadhur

Raj Nagpal, a revered medico, finds himself on the brink of divorce. Despite their differences, Raj and his wife, Anju, are committed to co-parenting their daughter, Ira, who has Asperger’s syndrome. Amidst the domestic trouble, Raj falls for Roshni, a nurse at his hospital. While the trio initially maintains cordiality, their peace shatters with Roshni’s shocking murder. Raj is taken into police custody, and lawyer Madhav Mishra is out to secure his release. Pankaj Tripathi’s ability to bring grounded-ness and believability to his roles across genres has kept him in good standing for many years now. While the laid-back persona and subtle humour continue to remain the USPs of his performance in project after project, it’s surprising how the petrol in his tank never dries up. Criminal Justice Season 4 is another terrific proof of his talent.

Ashu is released from prison after 14 years for a murder in which he was possibly framed. He aims to exact revenge against his indifferent, wealthy brother Max and his pals Shardul and Pedro, the prime reasons behind his jail stint. He cunningly infiltrates Max’s life and real estate business, juggling police obligations with a personal vendetta. Who has the last laugh in this sibling rivalry? Roshan Mathew’s decision to chase greener pastures in Hindi cinema, apart from Malayalam, is yielding impressive results. He sinks his teeth into the portrayal of Ashu, a socially awkward younger brother whose trauma fuels his bitterness. Mohit Raina, pitted against Roshan’s Ashu, has a relatively straightforward character arc but lends the necessary snobbishness to his portrayal.

Radhi resigns from her job, seeking solace at home, while Reena, promoted as a senior resident, clashes with Arjun, now a CEO. A new batch of interns arrives as Teju, working in a modest clinic, refuses to forgive Naveen. Madan contemplates suicide amidst mounting financial woes. The new in-charge, Preetham, assigns Reena a high-profile case with ulterior motives. Anumol is the glue that keeps the soul of the show intact, using her strong screen presence and maturity in handling even clichéd situations with ease. Deepa Balu has a vibrant persona, so does Yogalakshmi. Charukesh, Amit Bhargav, Sharmila Thapa, Padine Kumar, Sarvhaa, RG Ram and other actors in the hospital gang hold the fort with natural, spontaneous performances.

After wishing death upon Mehek via the Knock Knock app, Tanya is blackmailed by the Knock Knock Killer. She allies with Adheer, and they investigate the mysterious attacks, leading to shocking revelations about her friends and Adheer’s past. The killer is eventually unmasked at a party, and their motivations are revealed as Tanya learns the true extent of the dangerous game she entered. Aadhya Anand is easily the pick of the lot; she genuinely infuses life into her dialogue delivery and expressions, unlike most of her co-stars. Arjun Deswal possesses the ‘hunk’ looks, though his character is notably underdeveloped. Kush Jotwani’s role sparks intrigue occasionally, yet his performance largely lacks significant impact.

Vyas is a teacher at the same school where his wife, Bhagyalakshmi, is the principal. Their son Ram struggles with his grades and resists rote learning. Vyas’s innovative teaching methods draw attention from his son and students alike, leading to remarkable progress. Meanwhile, his marriage begins to suffer, and in a cruel twist of fate, his future hangs in the balance, leaving him to face an uncertain path. Kajal Chaudhary makes a decent impression despite her one-note role. The young child actor Viharsh Yadavalli impresses, while Rakesh Rachakonda convincingly brings his character to life. Anu Haasan also shines in a brief yet sparkling cameo. Srinivas Avasarala, however, feels underutilised, while BVS Ravi, Shiva Kandukuri don’t get enough screen time to make much impact.

Sophia, a CEO, clashes with a reluctant prince Aviraaj while trying to turn their struggling palace into a BnB, sparking an attraction despite their differences. Amidst a sabotaged pitch, a palace photo shoot, and a royal ball where Aviraaj avoids his ex and Jinnie finds romance, their connection deepens. Turning a king, he learns a shocking secret, only for a fundraiser to reveal more family truths. It’s surprising how Ishan Khatter goes about his choices – from the big-scale fantasises to earthy indie films – making him unpredictable as a performer. While Aviraaj as a character may be one-dimensional, he tries to make something out of it, without interfering with the creator’s approach. Bhumi Pednekar is impressive, but appears in autopilot mode with her performance, which works on a surface level, though it doesn’t strike a chord.

Dr. Prabhat leaves his city hospital for a neglected rural health centre, only to find the path blocked by farmland. He faces resistance from villagers preferring a quack doctor and uncovers illegal medicine sales within the PHC. Further troubles arise with misplaced vaccines and the strange behaviour of a staff member’s son Sudhir. Amidst political tensions, Prabhat confronts corruption and addresses Sudhir’s mental health while navigating complex village dynamics. Barely a week after the release of Kull, Amol Parashar returns in a contrasting role as a doctor humbled by the eccentricities of a sleepy village. He plays his part with integrity, effectively portraying Prabhat’s internal ambiguities. Vinay Pathak’s brief appearance as a quack doctor who, despite his dubious methods, wins the trust of the locals with warmth, adds authenticity to the narrative.

It is one thing to not take yourself seriously, and another to be genuinely funny. Actor Sree Vishnu’s #Single, a 129-minute ode to the male gaze, narrates the story of a man caught between two women. The film mistakes catchy one-liners for situational humour, leaning on capable actors to carry an obnoxious, aimless premise. A banal idea is stretched to the point of exhaustion, and in trying to be cool, it ends up being neither clever nor funny. Directed by Caarthick Raju (of Ninu Veedani Needanu Nene and Thirudan Police fame), #Single resorts to lazy writing, attempting to mask its flaws with a barrage of pop culture references, borrowed film tropes, and social media memes. Its male leads, insurance agents Vijay (Sree Vishnu) and Aravind (Vennela Kishore), are desperate for female attention — using metro rides to ogle women, hiring goons to stage rescues, and winning a girl’s sympathy.