





Guild Reviews


Patriot
Thriller, Action (Malayalam)
When a famous Malayali YouTuber tries to expose a corrupt regional politician from Kerala and his malpractices, he is soon forced to go on the run and clear his name of all the false allegations that are levelled against him.
Cast:
Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi, Zarin Shihab, Rajiv Menon, Darshana Rajendran, Renji Panicker
Director:
Mahesh Narayanan
Writer:
Mahesh Narayanan

Fri, May 8 2026

Sun, May 3 2026

Sun, May 3 2026
What does a spy thriller warrant in 2026? Pan-India ambition, big scale and even bigger stars? That’s mostly what most directors are aiming for. But Mahesh Narayanan does the unthinkable with Patriot — a largely engaging intelligence procedural featuring the Big M’s of Malayalam cinema and most of the industry’s popular faces. He keeps it grounded, letting the story lead rather than the stardom or pan-India ambition. The film begins with Dr Daniel James (Mammootty), a scientific analyst who works for the government agency DRW. A false case pushes him to quit and fly to London, where he runs a YouTube channel called Vimathan — meaning dissident — through which he exposes how civilians are being monitored via their laptops and phones.

Retirement Plan
Animation (English)
Disillusioned with his life, Ray dreams of the beauty and joy he will find in retirement.
Cast:
Domhnall Gleeson
Director:
John Kelly
Writer:
Tara Lawall, John Kelly

Fri, May 8 2026
At a time when social media is flooded with information on varying topics, digital distractions compete with everyday tasks for attention, and plans are only in the making, John Kelly’s film Retirement Plan is the perfect antidote to jolt you out of that constant feeling of overwhelm and return to what is - the present. The animation by Marah Curran and Eamonn O’Neill is just as simplistic yet moving as the premise - a man leaving some basic and some extravagant plans for a future he is certain he will have. But life, unlike fiction, rarely follows a coherent plot. What is particularly moving is that in under seven minutes, we get to be with a man whose journey from the present day to the afterlife has countless relatable moments. And even though Ray is in his retirement, the appeal of the story certainly goes beyond age.

Batchmates
Drama (English)
When four wide-eyed first-year students enter the world of engineering, they undergo a rude shock as they face the harsh realities of college life.
Cast:
Bindu Madhavi, Sindhu Reddy, Anthony Karthik, Geeravani Reddy, Sai Sriraam Vemparaa
Director:
Anu Prasad

Tue, May 5 2026
After their troublesome Intermediate years, Sammy, Milky and Sid are all pumped up for their engineering life. On day one, Sid is instantly attracted to Goldie, an NRI girl and gifted dancer. She turns out to be his classmate and soon joins their gang. But while they are being ragged, the gang earns the wrath of a senior, Suhas, who starts harassing Goldie. Sai Sriram Vemparaala looks right for the part, is confident and has a camera-friendly presence. The girls in the gang, played by Sindhu Reddy and Geervani Reddy, are just about okay. Anthony Karthik fails to tickle your funny bones while Bindu Madhavi, in a cameo-like role, passes muster and is expected to have more prominence in the later episodes.


Raja Shivaji
Action, History, Drama (Marathi)
Chronicles the rise of young Shivaji Bhonsale, who challenged the might of established empires to found the Maratha kingdom and lay the groundwork for 'Swarajya' (self-rule) during a turbulent period of Indian history.
Cast:
Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Genelia D'Souza, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi
Director:
Riteish Deshmukh
Writer:
Riteish Deshmukh

Sun, May 3 2026

Sun, May 3 2026
Raja Shivaji — written, directed, and produced by Riteish Deshmukh — has released in both Hindi and Marathi. Interestingly, history repeats itself: back in 1952, the legendary Bhalji Pendharkar made Chhatrapati Shivaji, which was also released in both languages (and featured a cameo by Lata Mangeshkar). This new film similarly features a cameo by a major star, which stands out as one of its highlights — though the film itself otherwise follows a fairly predictable path. Worth noting: the Marathi version runs 8 minutes longer than the Hindi cut I watched, though the nature of those additions remains unclear.

Sun, May 3 2026
Raja Shivaji leaves no stone unturned when it comes to recreating the bygone era. The production design and costumes are both eye-pleasing and appropriate for that period. The visual quality is further enhanced with the camerawork of the veteran cinematographer Santosh Sivan. However, the film suffers when it comes to the crucial aspects of writing and direction. The screenplay lacks proper flow as a large number of events are presented in a haphazard manner, especially before Riteish’s late entry. Things get streamlined once he enters the scene but only to some extent. The narrative comes somewhat on track once the battle lines are drawn between the protagonist and Afzal Khan but their all-important meet gets stretched.


The Devil Wears Prada 2
Comedy, Drama (English)
Andy Sachs returns to Runway as Miranda Priestly navigates a new media landscape and Runway's position within. The duo reconnect with former assistant Emily Charlton, now the head of a luxury brand that possesses funding which could ensure Runway's survival.
Cast:
Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Kenneth Branagh, Justin Theroux, Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu, Tracie Thoms, Tibor Feldman
Director:
David Frankel
Writer:
Aline Brosh McKenna

Sun, May 3 2026
The hardest part of making this sequel to the thoroughly enjoyable 2006 original was probably getting the cast together — once Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt were signed on, the film was essentially sold. The screenplay, however, tells a different story: it feels like an afterthought. The film is charming, and the trio — along with the supporting cast — is a genuine pleasure to watch, but there’s little beneath the glossy surface. Unless name-dropping Gucci, Chanel, and their ilk is enough to keep you entertained, don’t look for much more. Fans of Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and her former assistant Andy (Anne Hathaway) from two decades ago will find this a breezy reunion. Remarkably, neither actress appears to have aged a day — and the same goes for Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.

Sat, May 2 2026
The original 2006 film adapted from the novel by Lauren Weisberger, was a glossy workplace comedy that quickly became much bigger than its premise of a stressed assistant navigating fashion’s most terrifying boss. Inspired by Weisberger’s own experiences in magazine publishing, the David Frankel-directed film presented a sharp, endlessly quotable pop culture favourite with influence that stretched beyond cinema into fashion, and internet meme history, with Miranda lines like “That’s all” and “By all means, move at a glacial pace.”

Sat, May 2 2026
बॉलीवुड हो या हॉलीवुड, पुराने-आइकॉनिक फिल्मों के सीक्वल लाने का दौर इन दिनों दोनों ही जगह जोरशोर से चल रहा है। हालांकि, दर्शकों की यादों का हिस्सा रहीं यादगार फिल्मों के रुतबे को गिनती के ही सीक्वल कायम रख पाते हैं। इस मामले में मेरिल स्ट्रीप और ऐनी हैथवे स्टारर बेहद पॉपुलर फिल्म ‘द डेविल वियर्स प्राडा’ का सीक्वल मूल फिल्म के कद को भले नहीं छू पाता, लेकिन अतीत के नॉस्टैल्जिया और आज की मीडिया जगत की चुनौतियों के सुंदर मेल के कारण मनोरंजन की कसौटी पर खरा उतरता है।

Undekhi S04
Crime, Drama (Hindi)
Show depicts the two aspects of the society - the power-drunk influential people who think they can get away with anything and the oppressed, subjected to years of torture, who finally decide to bring themselves to justice
Cast:
Surya Sharma, Ankur Rathee, Ayn Zoya, Vaarun Bhagat, Harsh Chhaya, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Anchal Singh, Shivangi Singh, Meenakshi Sethi

Sat, May 2 2026
Five years after the turbulence within the family, the powerful Atwals are at war among themselves. Papaji, after his jail time, still tries to pull strings to keep his crown. Meanwhile, Rinku teams up with his real father, Mahinder, to take over the family business. As their crimes grow darker, DSP Ghosh returns for one last mission to solve the mounting mysteries. The performances, just like the writing, are standard and basic. They work, but there is nothing special about them. Among the cast, Ankur Rathee’s acting style feels very modern compared to the rest. His expressions and responses are precise and stay true to the show’s world. Surya Sharma’s physique and personality make him an obvious choice to play Rinku, but the performance lacks vigour, which is partly due to the role itself.

Fri, May 1 2026
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.


Glory
Drama, Mystery, Action & Adventure (Hindi)
In a small-town boxing hub, two brothers investigate a shocking murder while navigating a troubled reunion with their father, a renowned coach.
Cast:
Divyendu Sharma, Pulkit Samrat, Suvinder Vicky, Sayani Gupta, Ashutosh Rana, Jannat Zubair Rahmani, Sikandar Kher, Vishal Vashishtha, Kunal Thakur, Kashmira Pardesi
Director:
Karan Anshuman, Kanishk Verma

Sat, May 2 2026
Brothers Dev and Ravi return home to Shaktigarh to find the person who brutally attacked their sister Gudiya. In pursuit of truth, they have a hard time dealing with their cold, distant father, Raghubir Singh. Their search leads them through a dangerous world of rival boxing clubs, undercover missions, and police chases. As Ravi fights his way towards Olympic trials, they also uncover a web of secrets. The casting choices and the performances in the show are generally neat. Apart from the chocolate boy looks, Pulkit Samrat’s athleticism is a major advantage for his portrayal of Ravi; you naturally buy his zeal to succeed in the boxing ring. Divyenndu Sharma plays the troubled, disgruntled son with assurance. His body language and expressions suggest what the character may have endured for years.

Sat, May 2 2026
A web-series rooted in Haryana’s inimitable terra firma around one of its favourite sports: boxing. Yet ‘Glory’ isn’t your regular sports drama, or a story of an underdog making it big. Marrying murder mystery with the shenanigans of the game, which is at once dangerous and thrilling, the seven-episode series too treads the same path. In the very first episode, we are witness to the murder of a gifted boxer, Nihal Singh (Yugam Sood). An Olympic gold contender, he decides to elope with his girlfriend Gudiya (Jannat Zubair), daughter of his coach Raghubir Singh (Suvinder Vicky). Coming from the land where female foeticide and honour killings are rampant, you smell a rat. And the guessing game begins.

Sat, May 2 2026
OTT पर खेल की पृष्ठभूमि पर कम ही शोज आए हैं। ऐसे में, क्रिकेट और मैच फिक्सिंग पर एमी नॉमिनेटेड सीरीज ‘इनसाइड एज’ बनाने वाले फिल्मकार करण अंशुमान अब नई सीरीज ‘ग्लोरी’ के साथ बॉक्सिंग रिंग में उतरे हैं। हालांकि, यहां जितने मुक्के रिंग में चलते हैं, उससे कहीं ज्यादा चाकू-छुरी, बम-धमाके उसके बाहर होते हैं, क्योंकि असल में यह सीरीज बॉक्सिंग के इर्द-गिर्द बुनी गई एक इन्वेस्टिगेटिव क्राइम थ्रिलर है। 50-55 मिनट के 7 एपिसोड की यह सीरीज दिखाती है कि एक इंसान अपने सपने और महत्वाकांक्षा को पूरा करने के लिए किस हद तक जा सकता है।

Gaayapadda Simham
Comedy, Drama (Telugu)
Follows Indians facing challenges while trying to travel to the USA and the struggles they encounter after reaching there.
Cast:
Tharun Bhascker, Faria Abdullah, Maanasa Chaudhary, Kasyap Sreenivas, Vishnu Oi, Harsha Vardhan, Subhalekha Sudhakar, J. D. Chakravarthi, Siddharth Gollapudi, Tarun Rohith
Director:
Kasyap Sreenivas
Writer:
Kasyap Sreenivas

Sat, May 2 2026
A character in Gaayapadda Simham (Wounded Lion) quips that police officers are holding a “success meet,” much like film teams that celebrate barely a day after a theatrical release. The officer shoots back, asking why such celebrations should be limited to reel heroes when real-life ones have more reason to revel. In moments like these, when the writing pokes fun at the Telugu film industry, debut director Kasyap Sreenivas’s film, starring Tharun Bhascker and Faria Abdullah, finds its comic edge. The premise is deliberately outrageous. Darahas (Tharun), content with his middle-class life, is told he must move to the US if he hopes to marry his girlfriend (Maanasa Choudhary). When shifting immigration laws derail his plans and he is deported, his response is extreme — he seeks revenge on Donald Trump.

Sapne vs Everyone S02
Drama (Hindi)
Two obsessive dreamers collide with the resistance of expectations, morality and each other.
Cast:
Paramvir Singh Cheema, Ambrish Verma, Vijayant Kohli
Director:
Ambrish Verma
Writer:
Ambrish Verma

Fri, May 1 2026
Prashant and Jimmy both struggle for power in two different worlds. Prashant fights through the cutthroat Mumbai film industry to build an acting career after a personal setback. Meanwhile, Jimmy uses his skills as a master salesman to wage a bitter political war against his uncle. As their paths grow darker, both men must decide if they are victims of fate or masters of their lives. Ambrish Verma, also the director of the show, picks the messier role, stepping into the shoes of a roughened-up mard who is bleeding within. Besides portraying his massy, action side with ease, he mirrors the character’s vulnerabilities effectively. He depicts Jimmy as a broken man without going overboard.

Jetlee
Action, Comedy, Thriller (Telugu)
An attendant on a flight from Dubai to Kochi gets caught up in a dangerous situation.
Cast:
Satya, Rhea Singha, Vennela Kishore, Ajay, Harsha Chemudu, Kabir Duhan Singh
Director:
Ritesh Rana

Fri, May 1 2026
A disappointing trend among Telugu filmmakers is the desperation to hold on to a specific genre or storytelling style and overuse it till the novelty wears off. It is like a magician relying on the same trick until the secret is laid bare. Director Ritesh Rana’s quirky, parody-style narratives set against crime — seen across the Mathu Vadalarafranchise and, to an extent, Happy Birthday — were one-of-a-kind when they first arrived, with the mark of a storyteller with a unique voice. With Jetlee, however, it appears as though his signature style has overstayed its welcome, struggling to offer anything new.


Kara
Crime, Thriller (Tamil)
A man shaped by violence and survival finds himself pulled back into danger he cannot escape. As hostile forces close in, past decisions begin demanding repayment. Every confrontation raises the cost of staying alive. Survival depends on resolve, instinct, and the willingness to face consequences head-on
Cast:
Dhanush, Mamitha Baiju, K. S. Ravikumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Karunas, Jayaram, M. S. Bhaskar, Prithvi Pandiarajan, Sreeja Ravi, Dhanesh Koliyat
Director:
Vignesh Raja
Writer:
Alfred Prakash, Vignesh Raja

Fri, May 1 2026
It’s a late night in the early Nineties in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruverumbur. Even as everyone is settling into slumber, Karasaami (Dhanush) is perched on a tree, keeping watch on a locked house. When the time seems right, Kara and his apprentice (played by Prithvi Pandiarajan) break in. Just as they are about to seal the deal, they hear someone at the gate. It’s the perfect start for a heist film – one in which the director wastes no time in the frills associated with regular commercial cinema fare. In fact, the protagonist appears within a couple of seconds of the film opening, a healthy sign that we are in for a pure genre film, rather than meander into formulaic elements. This sign strengthens with the introduction of DSP Bharathan (Suraj Venjaramoodu), who promises to close this case as soon as possible.

Thu, April 30 2026
There’s a vague similarity between Kara and Dhanush’s recent directorial Idli Kadai — both feature him as a grief-stricken son fulfilling his father’s wish. While Idli Kadai leaned dramatic, Kara builds genuine tension, especially in its robbery sequences. Kara is the stronger film of the two, though both arrive at a similar destination: good, but short of great. The film opens with Kara aka Karasaaami (Dhanush), who has committed to do his last robbery. He teaches his aide how to rob as it could help him, and he wants to get married to Selli (Mamitha Baiju). He succeeds in the plan, well, mostly. But, Kara is forced to return to his village to meet his father to sell his land for money to set up a hotel (aka mess), which could help them lead a dignified life.

Thu, April 30 2026
It’s not by accident that the one lasting memory from Por Thozhil (2023), remains the tense interrogation scene in which Sarathkumar’s character questions Sarath Babu as they wait for a train to pass at a railway crossing. After the film sets up its characters, director Vignesh Raja slows down time to a nerve-wracking degree to give us a sequence in which every pause is pregnant with layers and undercurrents, as an officer interrogates the man he suspects could be a serial killer…all of this to the menacing visuals of a red traffic light flashing right at you.


Apex
Thriller, Action (English)
A grieving woman pushing her limits on a solo adventure in the Australian wild is ensnared in a twisted game with a cunning killer who thinks she's prey.
Cast:
Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, Eric Bana, Caitlin Stasey, Bessie Holland, Zachary Garred, Matt Whelan, Rob Carlton, Aaron Pedersen, Duncan Fellows
Director:
Baltasar Kormákur
Writer:
Jeremy Robbins

Thu, April 30 2026
If you have watched Charlize Theron in her multiple action avatars on screen (think Furiosa in Mad Max, Andy in The Old Guard, Lorraine in Atomic Blonde, et al), then you wouldn’t think of ever getting on the wrong side of her. Taron Egerton seemingly hasn’t, which is perhaps why we see him as the predator trying to make quick work of Theron as prey in the new Netflix thriller Apex. At least — tongue firmly in cheek — he should have taken a dekko at her serial-killer act in Monster — that won the always edgy South African-born actress an Oscar more than two decades ago.

Wed, April 29 2026
Apex—the new Netflix survival thriller starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton—is like an anti-Australia propaganda video paid for by people still traumatised by the 2003 Cricket World Cup final. We discuss Netflix’s dedication to making instantly forgettable movies, its digitally created natural landscapes, and its by-the-numbers plot that has exactly two unexpected twists.

Mon, April 27 2026