Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
Action, Adventure, Fantasy (Malayalam)
The story follows Chandra , a mysterious, goth-influenced woman who has just moved to Bangalore and begins working night shifts at a café. Across the road from her apartment live Sunny and Venu, two aimless bachelors. Sunny becomes infatuated with (more…)
Single Salma
Comedy, Family (Hindi)
A woman from Lucknow, India, who has dedicated her life to supporting her family, yet continues to be identified as single and “unsettled” due to remaining unmarried. (more…)
Maharani S04
Drama (Hindi)
A political drama set in Bihar of 1990's, this story shows how an illiterate woman handles the state as Chief Minister. Rani Bharti's life takes an interesting turn when her husband Bheem Singh Bharti, announces her as the next chief (more…)
Guild Reviews
Palm Royale S02
Drama, Comedy (English)
In 1969, an ambitious woman aspires to cross the line between the haves and have-nots to secure her seat at America's most exclusive, fashionable, and treacherous table: Palm Beach high society.
Cast:
Kristen Wiig, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson, Kaia Gerber, Laura Dern, Allison Janney
Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney's All-Star Period Drama Grows Overly Complicated
Thu, November 13 2025
The first season of Apple TV’s Palm Royale, while intriguing, had a shaky narrative. That mainly had to do with its large cast of characters; it was hard to keep up with who’s who. Loosely based on Juliet McDaniel’s 2018 novel, Mr & Mrs American Pie, the series adds a few more characters and ups the melodrama, making for a confusing watch. Despite the complexity, the ensemble cast of the dark comedy plunges on with their stylish costumes and lavish production that takes the action away from 1960s Palm Beach, Florida.
Baramulla
Horror (Hindi)
A police officer investigating missing children cases discovers disturbing truths while supernatural occurrences threaten his family and Baramulla's tranquility.
Cast:
Manav Kaul, Neelofar Hamid, Masoom Mumtaz Khan, Arista Mehta, Baby Kiara Khanna, Ashwini Koul, Nazneen Madan, Mir Sarwar, Vikas Shukla, Bhasha Sumbli
Director:
Aditya Suhas Jambhale
Writer:
Aditya Suhas Jambhale
वादी की शापित लोरियां सुनाती ’बारामूला’
Wed, November 12 2025
2016 का साल। कश्मीर का बारामूला कस्बा। वही बारामूला जिसे वराहमूल और वर्मूल भी कहा गया। एक फंक्शन में तमाशा दिखा रहे जादूगर के बक्से से स्थानीय एम.एल.ए. का बच्चा ’गायब’ हो जाता है। तफ्तीश के लिए डी.एस.पी. रिदवान की वहां पोस्टिंग होती है। कुछ और बच्चे भी ’गायब’ हो रहे हैं। रिदवान को उन आतंकियों पर शक है जो बच्चों को पत्थरबाज बना रहे हैं। उधर जिस पुराने मकान में रिदवान और उनका परिवार रह रहा है वहां भी कुछ अजीब हरकतें हो रही हैं। कोई साया है जो उनके बेटे के संग खेलता है। बेटी को लगता है कि इस घर में कोई कुत्ता भी है। एक दिन रिदवान की बेटी भी ’गायब’ हो जाती है। कौन है इसके पीछे? क्या राज़ है इस घर का? बच्चे ’गायब’ क्यों हो रहे हैं, कैसे हो रहे हैं, कौन कर रहा है, कहां हैं वे बच्चे…?
(Writing for OTT Play)
Baramulla Is An Effectively Misleading Supernatural Film
Tue, November 11 2025
There is something called an Aditya Dhar film. The emphasis might feel odd, given that he has directed only one feature till now, and the second is waiting in the wings. But the projects he has been involved in the capacity of a writer and producer, most notably Article 370 (2024), bear the distinct stamp of his filmmaking. Tenets of this include compelling set pieces, imposing artistry, and bigoted politics. In Baramulla, the latest film he has bankrolled, all these are heightened to greater, more dangerous heights.
Kashmir is paying price for its sins.
Tue, November 11 2025
Haq
Drama (Hindi)
In 1980s India, Shazia Bano takes her husband to court after he abandons her and their children, sparking a national battle over faith, women’s rights, and justice.
Cast:
Yami Gautam, Emraan Hashmi, Danish Husain, Sheeba Chaddha, Vartika Singh, Aseem Hattangady
Director:
Suparn Verma
Writer:
Reshu Nath
(Writing for OTT Play)
Suparn Varma’s Haq Is A Persuasive Take On The Shah Bano Case
Tue, November 11 2025
HAQ becomes a better film once it ends. The Suparn Verma directorial feature is based on the landmark 1985 Shah Bano case, where a Muslim woman won her right to alimony. Although personal, her fight assumed big proportions because it revealed the knotty relationship between Muslim Personal Law, where a husband is entitled to provide maintenance during the iddat period after divorce, and the Indian secular law. In this particular case, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Bano; later, the then-Congress government offset the judgment by sanctioning women to receive “reasonable and fair provision and maintenance" for three months after the divorce; Haq concludes by mentioning this, applauding, in the same breath, the current government for criminalising triple talaq and passing the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.
A logical film with great emotional depth.
Tue, November 11 2025
(Writing for The Daily Eye)
Haq and the price of a woman’s voice
Sat, November 8 2025
In 1978, Shah Bano, an elderly Muslim woman from Indore, filed a petition seeking maintenance that her estranged husband, Mohammed Ahmad Khan, had abruptly ceased paying. What began as a private plea for sustenance evolved into one of India’s most seminal legal battles. The litigation culminated in a historic 1985 Supreme Court judgment—Mohd. Ahmad Khan v. Shah Bano Begum—which upheld a divorced Muslim woman’s right to maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
Action, Adventure, Fantasy (Malayalam)
The story follows Chandra , a mysterious, goth-influenced woman who has just moved to Bangalore and begins working night shifts at a café. Across the road from her apartment live Sunny and Venu, two aimless bachelors. Sunny becomes infatuated with Chandra, observing her odd routines, strange visitors, and reclusive nature. Their dynamic changes
Cast:
Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, Chandu Salimkumar, Arun Kurian, Sandy, Vijayaraghavan, Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan, Tovino Thomas, Nithya Shri
Director:
Dominic Arun
A Spotify Review
Mon, November 10 2025
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is perhaps the most overrated Indian movie of the year. We discuss the film’s inert narrative, jarring action, and inelegant world-building that includes an unnecessary detour into Kantara territory. We also talk about where the franchise could head next, and why it would immediately be better if merged with the universe.
A Spotify Review
Mon, November 10 2025
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is perhaps the most overrated Indian movie of the year. We discuss the film’s inert narrative, jarring action, and inelegant world-building that includes an unnecessary detour into Kantara territory. We also talk about where the franchise could head next, and why it would immediately be better if merged with the universe.
(Writing for Medium)
Malayalam Cinema Just Made Vampires Desirable, and Modern
Mon, September 15 2025
I’ll be honest — I had developed superhero fatigue. In fact, a general fatigue for anything big-scale and action-driven on the big screen. A movie that fit that bill was not my obvious choice. And looking at how juggernauts like Coolie (starring Superstar Rajinikanth) and War 2 (with Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan) received underwhelming responses, it seems I’m not alone. So when I first saw the trailer of Lokah: Chapter 1 — Chandra, my reaction was: “Not the movie I want to watch right now.” Look at the films that have actually struck a chord with audiences recently — without over-the-top marketing or manufactured FOMO. From Tourist Family to Dragon, Thudarum to Hridayapoorvam, and even Soup from So — audiences have embraced heartfelt, emotional stories. That goes against the post-COVID “wisdom” that only large-scale spectacles will sell tickets.
Single Salma
Comedy, Family (Hindi)
A woman from Lucknow, India, who has dedicated her life to supporting her family, yet continues to be identified as single and “unsettled” due to remaining unmarried.
Cast:
Huma Qureshi, Shreyas Talpade, Sunny Singh, Eleanor Williams, Kanwaljit Singh, Navni Parihar, Prabhat Kumar Lahiri, Nidhi Singh, Lauren Gottlieb, Sharon Drain
Director:
Nachiket Samant
Writer:
Ravi Kumar, Amina Khan
(Writing for OTT Play)
A Surprisingly Effective Film That Finds Charm In Familiarity
Sat, November 8 2025
Films centring on women are often tethered to an issue and conclude with a resolution. This is as much a roadmap as an outline; an overused detour and a rewarding shorthand. Nachiket Samant’s Single Salma ascribes to this with commitment. The protagonist, as the name suggests, is a single woman and her singlehood, as the first ten minutes hint, is the issue. She is 33, the eldest among the four siblings, and is drowning in responsibilities. As most stories like this go, by the end, Salma ought to have her life in control, deliver a spiel about being overlooked for being a girl, find love and find herself in the process. She does, and yet all of this feels novel.
कंगना की 'क्वीन' जैसी दमदार तो नहीं, पर असरदार जरूर है हुमा कुरैशी की फिल्म
Sun, November 2 2025
हमारे समाज में लड़की तीस की हो जाए, तो घर-परिवार क्या, गांव-जवार, मुहल्ले-रिश्तेदार हर किसी को उसकी शादी की चिंता सताने लगती है। फुसफुसाहट तेज हो जाती है कि इतनी बड़ी उम्र की लड़की से कौन करेगा शादी? इसी रिलेटेबल विषय पर केंद्रित है, हुमा कुरैशी स्टारर फिल्म ‘सिंगल सलमा’, जो लड़कियों के अस्तित्व से जुड़े कई और मुद्दों को पुरजोर तरीके से उठाती है।
The Taj Story
Drama (Hindi)
Vishnu Das is a local guide who becomes driven by a curiosity to uncover the true history behind the iconic Taj Mahal monument.
Cast:
Paresh Rawal, Namit Das, Zakir Hussain, Sneha Wagh, Amruta Khanvilkar, Shishir Sharma, Brijendra Kala, Akhilendra Mishra, Shrikant Verma, Anil George
Director:
Tushar Amrish Goel
Writer:
Tushar Amrish Goel
Even Paresh Rawal Can't Save This Throw Of Dice That Is All Over The Place
Sat, November 8 2025
Notwithstanding the title, The Taj Story does not have much of a story to tell. What it does peddle by way of a narrative has not only been done to death over the decades but has also been debunked in several courts of the land, including the apex one. The writer of the film is constrained to admit as much in a series of title cards before the end-credits begin to roll. The Taj Story is bargain-basement filmmaking that draws inspiration from unsubstantiated history to create a piece of cinema that expects full-on explosions from dud-bombs. It wends its way through prickly territory only to end up without a case strong enough to make itself essential viewing for those who care for the truth.
Eighth Wonder of Gaslighting, Half-Truths and Saffron Victimhood
Thu, November 6 2025
I don’t think anyone working in The Taj Story is acquainted with ‘confirmation bias’ as a concept. Or they’re deliberately ignorant – which is worse. I gauged this from a scene, where a noted lawyer character’s reaction to the declaration “I have evidence that the Taj Mahal wasn’t built by Shahjahan” is not “what is the evidence?” Instead, the lawyer’s voice sounds almost jubilant – like it’s some personal victory. The goal isn’t to find the ‘truth’. The ‘truth’ has already been ascertained in one’s imagination – so one simply needs to cherry-pick facts, poke inane holes in the widely-accepted version of history – to plant a seed of doubt. This isn’t a conclusion arrived at after rigorous thought – it’s shameless, weightless contrarianism for its own sake.
Maharani S04
Drama (Hindi)
A political drama set in Bihar of 1990's, this story shows how an illiterate woman handles the state as Chief Minister. Rani Bharti's life takes an interesting turn when her husband Bheem Singh Bharti, announces her as the next chief minister of Bihar. With casteism and traditional satraps in the background, will Rani survive this turn of events?
Cast:
Huma Qureshi, Sohum Shah, Amit Sial, Kani Kusruti, Pramod Pathak, Vineet Kumar, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Darsheel Safary
Director:
Puneet Prakash
Huma Qureshi series needs sharpness, brevity
Sat, November 8 2025
Season 4 of Maharani is largely a mix of the old laced with a bit of new, in terms of actors joining the ensemble. But the tone of the series, created by Subhash Kapoor, and directed this time by Puneet Prakash, is the same: wily netas double-crossing each other mainly in Delhi and Patna with sidebars in other state capitals, family feuds, and personal and professional rivalries. It’s tempting to speculate if the new season has dropped just in time with the on-going elections in Bihar: whatever, it does inject a bit of spice into a show in which tonal similiarity and the length of each episode is becoming a challenge.
Huma Qureshi's Political Drama Leaps Forward In An Exciting New Direction
Fri, November 7 2025
The political series Maharani returns with a big time jump and a new era as it expands beyond the state. Huma Qureshi is joined by several new faces in this latest instalment that sees the politics and the collaborations grow murkier. This next generation of the Bharti clan is more in focus as they begin to grow their political roots as well. Created by Subhash Kapoor, the SonyLIV show manages to inject more intrigue in its fourth season, leaving audiences keen to wonder what will happen next.
दिल्ली की चाह में असर खो बैठी 'महारानी'
Fri, November 7 2025
साल 2021 में ओटीटी पर बिहार की राजनीति की ‘महारानी’ बनकर उतरीं रानी भारती ने दर्शकों का दिल पूरे बहुमत से जीता था। हुमा कुरैशी ने इस किरदार से दमदार छाप छोड़ी। घर में चूल्हा-चौका और गाय-भैंसों की सानी-पानी करने वाली एक आम औरत रानी कैसे रातोंरात बिहार की मुख्यमंत्री बनकर राजनीति के दांव-पेंच में उलझती और निकलती है, इस सफर से दर्शक जुड़ गए। अब सीरीज का चौथा सीजन आ चुका है, जहां रानी भारती बिहार से आगे बढ़कर देश की राजनीति में कदम रखती है। लेकिन पुनीत प्रकाश निर्देशित इस चौथे सीजन में न तो राजनीति के खेल का वह रोमांच है, ना ही रानी के व्यक्तित्व में वो पहले वाला दमखम।
Jatadhara
Action, Horror, Thriller (Telugu)
Investigates the enigma of Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, examining myths and theories about its alleged supernatural powers.
Cast:
Sudheer Babu, Sonakshi Sinha, Shilpa Shirodkar, Divya Khossla, Indira Krishnan, Ravi Prakash, Naveen Neni, Rohit Pathak, Jhansi, Rajiv Kanakala
Director:
Venkat Kalyan
Sudheer Babu, Sonakshi Sinha film is choppy, chaotic
Sat, November 8 2025
Jatadhara movie review: Ghostbusters. Tantrics. Demons. Jatadhara picks up on elements made popular by the current rash of supernatural thrillers–Kantara, Stree– for a Sudheer Babu film which has Sonakshi Sinha making her Telugu debut. Pre-interval, Jatadhara meanders about setting up scenes between the believers and the naysayers. Shiva (Sudheer Babu) packs devices which are meant to go beep in the presence of spirits. He uses these liberally wherever he is, whether it is in the ruins where he bumps into pretty damsel Sitara (Divya Khossla), or sneaking into a tantric ritual where no such instruments are allowed.
(Writing for Filmy Town)
Enchanting, Captivating Mythological Horror Thrillerjatadhara-2
Sat, November 8 2025
Jatadhara is an engaging, visually striking supernatural thriller that successfully merges commercial spectacle with artistic expression. It begins with a mythical narrative of how hundreds of years ago, with absence of banks or safe deposit vaults, when people used to store and hide gold and valuables beneath their homes to safeguard their hard earned wealth from dacoits. The introduction goes back and forth from the current day seminar on paranormal phenomenon and ghosts by the Indian Paranormal League where one attendee stands out declaring that he strongly believes that there are no ghosts.
डराती नहीं, दर्शकों को सताती हैं सोनाक्षी और शिल्पा
Fri, November 7 2025
देश में कई ऐसी जगहें हैं, जहां सुपरनैचरल ताकतों के होने की किवदंतियां मशहूर रही हैं। उन्हीं में से एक है केरल का पद्मनाभस्वामी मंदिर, जिसके एक बंद तहखाने का रहस्य आज भी लोगों को हैरान करता है। मान्यता है कि इस तहखाने में अपार धन-संपदा है, जिसकी रक्षा अलौकिक शक्तियां करती हैं और इसे जबरदस्ती खोलने की कोशिश करने पर विपदा का सामना करना पड़ता है। इसी लोककथा पर आधारित है, सुधीर बाबू और सोनाक्षी सिन्हा स्टारर फिल्म ‘जटाधरा’, जो तेलुगू और हिंदी दोनों भाषाओं में रिलीज हुई है।
Aaromaley
Comedy, Romance, Drama (Tamil)
Ajith grew up believing that love should feel like the movies – magical, dramatic, and meant to last forever. But real life keeps breaking his heart, as every small smile or kind gesture turns into another big misunderstanding. When a major fiasco lands him in trouble, his parents force him into a job at a matrimony agency, the last place a hopeless romantic should be. He meets Anjali there, his no-nonsense boss who believes love is logic, not magic. What follows is a hilarious clash between dreams and reality as Ajith learns the hard way that love isn’t magical, it’s earned. When he finally understands what love truly means, it is gone. Years later, destiny gives him one last chance, but will love wait this time?
Cast:
Kishen Das, Harshath Khan, Shivathmika, VTV Ganesh, MV Namritha, Sandhya Winfred, Tulasi, Sibi Chakravarthy
Director:
Sarang Thiagu
A Refreshingly honest rom-com with heart and humour
Fri, November 7 2025
‘Aaromaley’ arrives at a time when Tamil cinema desperately needs light, feel-good romantic dramas. Directed by Sarang Thiagu and starring Kishen Das, Shivathmika Rajashekar, and Harshath Khan, this warm romantic entertainer offers genuine laughs and authentic moments that mirror real-life relationships. It carves out space for itself by focusing not on larger-than-life heroes, but on ordinary people navigating honest feelings.
Pluribus
Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy (English)
The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.
Cast:
Rhea Seehorn, Karolina Wydra, Carlos-Manuel Vesga
Rhea Seehorn's Commandeering Performance Anchors 2025's Most Intriguing Sci-Fi Series By Vince Gilligan
Fri, November 7 2025
Two of Vince Gilligan’s creations likely sit on the list of the best all-time great TV shows of all time. After Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, all eyes are on Gilligan’s next Pluribus starring Rhea Seehorn, and it does not disappoint. Set in a world where a virus has taken over humanity, one woman fights to save civilization from being taken over. Will she be successful? To find out more about this complacent new world, tune in weekly on Fridays to Pluribus.
Thode Door Thode Paas
Drama (Hindi)
Retired naval officer Ashwin Mehta takes an unconventional step to bring his family close. Each member gets 1 crore rupees if they can stay away from all their gadgets for 6 months!
Cast:
Pankaj Kapur, Mona Singh, Kunaal Roy Kapur
(Writing for Scroll.in)
A digital detox leads to analogue joy
Fri, November 7 2025
Thode Door Thode Paas is a comedy drama that explores a modern family’s attempt to unplug and reconnect. Set in the lively Mehta household, the ZEE5 series follows Simran (Mona Singh), who runs a bridal wear boutique out of her garage, her husband Kunal (Kunaal Roy Kapur), an online numerologist, their 19-year-old daughter Avni (Ayesha Kaduskar) and school-going son Vivaan (Sartaaj Kakkar). Kunal has added four extra As to his son’s name to fix his fortunes, yet his report card doesn’t have even one A.
All Her Fault
Drama, Mystery (English)
In Chicago, Marissa Irvine arrives at 14 Arthur Avenue, expecting to pick up her young son Milo from his first playdate with a boy at his new school. But the woman who answers the door isn't a mother she recognizes. She isn't the nanny. She doesn't have Milo. And so begins every parent's worst nightmare.
Cast:
Sarah Snook, Jake Lacy, Sophia Lillis, Michael Peña, Dakota Fanning, Abby Elliott, Jay Ellis, Thomas Cocquerel, Daniel Monks, Duke McCloud
Sarah Snook Hooks You In With Dramatic, Twisty Thriller About Missing Child
Thu, November 6 2025
After the British series The Stolen Girl, All Her Fault is the second series of the year revolving around a missing child attached to a fake playdate. Sarah Snook plays the mother whose child goes missing, and the Succession star ably headlines this strong drama about hidden secrets and family tragedies. Like The Stolen Girl, All Her Fault is also adapted from a novel, and creator-writer Megan Gallagher does well to hold audience interest episode to episode as the truth behind the kidnapper and their motives is revealed.