Guild Reviews
Cast:
Arshad Warsi, Meher Vij, Baby Kiara Khanna, Shataf Figar, Arvind Kumar
Director:
Abhishek Saxena
Writer:
Shaheen Iqbal
हर ’बंदा’ सिनेमा का ‘चौधरी’ नहीं होता
Mon, November 4 2024
अस्सी के दशक के पंजाब के बारे में मुमकिन है नई पीढ़ी के लोग खुल कर न जानते हों। उन्हें यह न पता हो कि सांझे चूल्हों और साझी विरासत वाली पंजाब की धरती पर उन दिनों फसलों की हरियाली से ज़्यादा बेकसूरों के खून की लाली दिखती थी। कुछ लोग थे जो परायों के बहकावे में आकर अपनों को ही मार रहे थे। जहां एक तरफ हिन्दुओं को चुन-चुन कर मारा जा रहा था और उन्हें पंजाब छोड़ने पर मजबूर किया जा रहता वहीं दूसरी तरफ सिक्ख भी पूरी तरह से सुरक्षित नहीं थे। लेकिन उस माहौल में बंदा सिंह चौधरी जैसे कुछ लोग थे जिन्होंने पलायन करने, डरने या मरने की बजाय मुकाबला करने का रास्ता चुना था। यह फिल्म ’बंदा सिंह चौधरी’ उस एक बंदे के बहाने से ऐसे लोगों के जुझारूपन की कहानी दिखाती है।
Arshad Warsi film fails to do justice to its subject, actors
Fri, October 25 2024
Based on a real-life character of the same name, Bandaa Singh Chaudhary tells the tale of a man who stood his ground and fought against tremendous odds during the 1980s in Punjab, when militancy was rising rapidly, propelling a clutch of separatist movements. With Arshad Warsi playing the eponymous Banda, and Meher Vij as his spirited wife Lalli, this film had the potential to deliver a strong character study set during one of the most turbulent periods of recent Indian history. But nothing does the subject any justice, neither the story-telling nor the performances.
Brother
Drama, Family, Comedy (Tamil)
Karthik, an unwavering idealist, goes on a journey to restore harmony in the fractured family and prove himself, when his pursuit of justice inadvertently clashes with family loyalty.
Cast:
Ravi Mohan, Priyanka Arul Mohan, Bhumika Chawla, Natarajan Subramaniam, Rao Ramesh
Director:
M. Rajesh
Jayam Ravi, Rao Ramesh are the saving grace in this outdated family drama
Sat, November 2 2024
In the 1980s and 90s, we had a steady stream of films about an outsider coming to a broken home, and uniting everyone. Visu almost perfected this template. We saw it happen in the 90s and 2000s too where the setting of the home was extended to a college, a workplace, a village, etc… Basically, Indian cinema loves its feel-good family entertainer space where there are clashes of ego, but all’s well that ends well. There was a time when M Rajesh could effectively milk these situations, and effortlessly conjure hilarious scenes with his oddball protagonists. There was a time when he soared past the generic nature of the central plot, and neatly wrapped it all up with his brand of comedy. Unfortunately, hardly any of this happens in his latest film Brother.
Lucky Baskhar
Drama, Thriller, Crime (Telugu)
A cash-strapped bank cashier embarks on a risky investment scheme and soon gets drawn into the murky world of money laundering.
Cast:
Dulquer Salmaan, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Rajkumar Kasireddy, Ramki, Maganti Srinath
Director:
Venky Atluri
Writer:
Venky Atluri
Venky Atluri, Dulquer Salmaan deliver an entertaining drama
Sat, November 2 2024
Lucky Baskhar, the Telugu film written and directed by Venky Atluri, employs the narrative technique of creating tense moments before a twist, then retracing a few steps to reveal the events that led to it, at sporadic intervals. The first time this happens, it is an indication of what the titular character is capable of. When this technique is repeated, there is the danger of it falling flat. There are occasions when we can pre-empt a twist, but the manner in which it unfolds brings a smile. This relationship drama woven around a financial scam is Atluri’s best work till date and is anchored by a powerhouse Dulquer Salmaan, who shifts seamlessly from a common man struggling to make ends meet to a shrewd banker driven by the need to make quick money.
Dulquer Salmaan elevates a solid, safe take on ambition
Thu, October 31 2024
While promoting his latest movie, Lucky Baskhar, director Venky Atluri claimed that one of his biggest strengths is his talent in screenwriting. However, those closely following his filmography would tell you that his ability to assemble a stellar cast is his greatest asset. He once again showcases this strength with Lucky Baskhar.
A terrific Dulquer Salmaan powers this brilliant Venky Atluri film
Thu, October 31 2024
Legendary American poet Maya Angelou once wrote, “When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence…” Dulquer Salmaan’s latest film Lucky Baskhar is about one such small thing that decided to brave its fears, and find a way to survive when the tree of the great banking scam of the 90s fell. Of course, we have seen multiple iterations of this story through series like Scam 1992 and films like The Big Bull. But what Venky Atluri does in Lucky Baskhar is that he isn’t telling the story that everyone is focused on. He conjures up a story of a man who is caught in the crosshairs and decides to do something about it. Now, it is fictional, but it could have been true. And it is this thin line between fiction and reality that truly makes Lucky Baskhar a terrific watch.
Mithya: The Darker Chapter
Mystery, Drama (Hindi)
A tale of two women who are at odds with each other over allegations of plagiarism, which sparks a series of hostilities and shocking revelations spun around a murder for which they both are suspects.
Cast:
Huma Qureshi, Avantika Dassani, Indraneil Sengupta, Rajit Kapoor, Avantika Akerkar
Director:
Kapil Sharma
A forced, underwhelming sequel
Sat, November 2 2024
In the first season of the ZEE5 series Mithya, Hindi professor Juhi Adhikari (Huma Qureshi) was locked in a dangerous battle with student Rhea Rajguru (Avantika Dassani) after she failed her the young woman for plagiarism and branded her a cheat. The entitled daughter of a tea estate owner and college trustee, Rhea became obsessed with seeking vengeance, sometimes with violent results.
Huma Qureshi-starrer is contrived, unconvincing, and worst of all, dull
Fri, November 1 2024
There was enough intrigue in the first season of ‘Mithya’, in which a troubled author is left on the edge of a sharp wedge, for us to want to return for another round. However, the new season, which comes from the same production house (Applause Entertainment) but a different director (Kapil Sharma) is everything that the first wasn’t: contrived, unconvincing, and, the worst sin, dull.
How much Mithya is too much Mithya?
Thu, October 31 2024
One of my pet peeves features Hindi cinema’s toxic relationship with technology. You know how, in the middle of a public event, every single cellphone in the hall simultaneously beeps with a headline alert because the famous person it’s about is also present? Everyone turns to dramatically look at this unfortunate person; whispers and gossipy glances hijack the scene. This is how news spreads in such stories. It can be at a press conference, a panel discussion, even at a party. In Mithya: The Darker Chapter, it’s at a business auction that comes to a standstill. My questions are simple. How is it that nobody’s phone is on vibrate mode? Why are the shock and awe so coordinated? Why is it that no other message or app on the phone has a pop-up sound? The closest I’ve experienced as a real-world viewer is when, during a press screening of Super 30 (2019), most journalists in the hall audibly gasped when Dhoni got run out in that World Cup semifinal.
Amaran
Action, Drama, Adventure, War (Tamil)
A heroic true story of Major Mukund Varadarajan, an Indian Army officer who displayed extraordinary bravery during a counterterrorism mission in Kashmir’s Shopian district. The film captures his courage in protecting his nation and the devotion of his wife Indhu Rebecaa Varghese.
Cast:
Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi, Rahul Bose, Bhuvan Arora, Lallu Prasath
Director:
Rajkumar Periasamy
Writer:
Rajkumar Periasamy
Sai Pallavi And Sivakarthikeyan’s Film Is A Brilliant, No-Nonsense Ode To A Soldier
Thu, October 31 2024
Towards the third act of Amaran, Major Mukund (Sivakarthikeyan)’s father asks him, “Why is Kashmir always in trouble?" This is a crucial moment, though it is shot with a matter-of-fact tone — reflecting the overall style of the movie. It is significant because it is the only time we gain insight into Mukund’s opinion about the politics behind the bloodshed and violence in one of the most volatile regions of the country. It’s essential to understand what a soldier thinks about the politics that have placed him in a situation where his own life is at risk.
An emotional triumph, but some questions linger
Thu, October 31 2024
The situation isn’t entirely new for a Tamil film: a Tamil man, Mukund (Sivakarthikeyan), enters a Malayali household to seek the hand of their daughter, Indhu (Sai Pallavi). In Tamil cinema lore, such scenes often signal trouble. In Autograph, Cheran’s character faces a quick rejection, a violent ejection. In Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, Simbu’s character meets a similar fate. But in Amaran, the hero cannot be quickly insulted or rejected, for Mukund arrives cloaked in the authority of an army uniform, a symbol that tempers resistance with respect. Where once Indhu’s father opposed the relationship, now he’s disarmed by the unspoken reverence for a man in uniform. This scene is restrained, absent of cinematic exaggeration; instead, director Rajkumar Periasamy allows these moments to revel in soft, unspoken gestures, where relationships get organically forged.
An Earnest Sivakarthikeyan, Stellar Battle Sequences, Middling Drama
Thu, October 31 2024
In one of the many interesting segues in Rajkumar Periasamy’s Amaran, an officer talks to Major Mukund Varadarajan (an earnest Sivakarthikeyan) about the Kashimir women these officers refer to as “half widows”, stuck in perennial conflict as they wait for their husbands to return, unsure if they’re still alive. This is explained in a rush, as though someone is reading aloud a Wikipedia entry, but one can still make a connection between these women and the film’s narrator,
Bloody Beggar
Comedy, Drama (Tamil)
A beggar's life takes an unexpected turn when a misadventure upends his daily routine. Can he navigate the bizarre, witty situations that follow?
Cast:
Kavin Raj, Redin Kingsley, Maruthi Prakashraj, Sunil Sukhada, T.M. Karthik
Director:
Sivabalan Muthukumar
Writer:
Sivabalan Muthukumar
Despite Its Flaws, Kavin's Performance And Supporting Cast Stand Out
Thu, October 31 2024
Bloody Beggar, directed by Sivabalan Muthukumar, is another bold choice by lead actor Kavin. However, it doesn’t fully deliver on its promising premise and ends up falling short in several aspects. At its core, the film struggles to find a consistent tone. It aims to be both a biting dark satire on the bourgeoisie and an emotional drama about the downtrodden, but it achieves more success with the former than the latter. The satire works to an extent, presenting exaggerated caricatures of villains who are repulsive enough to justify the violence directed at them. This offers moments of catharsis and even a few laughs at their expense. However, the emotional core surrounding the nameless beggar’s tragic past feels underdeveloped and fails to resonate in the cold, dark world of the film. Additionally, much of the humour, despite evident effort in the writing, doesn’t land as intended, making Bloody Beggar fall short of its full potential.
Ka
Action, Thriller, Crime (Telugu)
Set in 1970s Abhinaya Vasudev, an orphaned and happy-go-lucky postman, treats the Krishnagiri village populace as his extended family. When several women missing and Vasudev’s loved one is nearly abducted, he is determined to find answers.
Cast:
Kiran Abbavaram, Nayan Sarika, Tanvi Ram, Ajay, Redin Kingsley
Director:
Sandeep
Writer:
Sandeep
Kiran Abbavaram’s ‘karmic’ thriller packs a handful of surprises
Thu, October 31 2024
Comebacks are always interesting, especially when an actor is willing to look back and understand what went wrong in the first place. After a series of misfires, a resurgent Kiran Abbavaram is back with a festive release, mysteriously titled KA, that invests in a solid story over the heroics of the male protagonist. The period thriller offers a rich blend of action and emotions with a karmic twist.
The Substance
Horror, Science Fiction (English)
A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
Cast:
Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid, Edward Hamilton-Clark, Gore Abrams
Director:
Coralie Fargeat
Writer:
Coralie Fargeat
Demi Moore goes for broke in stomach-churning body horror with jaw-dropping climax
Thu, October 31 2024
A gleefully grotesque satire of success, director Coralie Fargeat’s English-language debut, The Substance, lives up to its title. But it has plenty of style to spare as well. Demi Moore stars as Elizabeth Sparkle, a fading actress who, in a moment of great weakness, decides to sample an underground drug that purportedly reverses the ageing process. But she quickly discovers that she has bitten off more than she can chew. The Substance is to Moore’s career what Birdman was to Michael Keaton’s, or The Wrestler was to Mickey Rourke’s, a movie that sheds its superficial obsession with superficiality and transforms into a whole new beast towards the end. It’s the kind of film that requires courage from everybody involved, including the caterers who were presumably tasked with preparing a menu that wouldn’t end up on the shooting floor everyday. It would be remarkable if nobody threw up while making this movie, because every moment of its incredible final act positively challenges you to keep your lunch in your stomach. But before Fargeat unleashes her final flourish, she sets up an increasingly absurd universe for Elizabeth to navigate.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
Documentary, Animation (Norwegian)
The secret life of a young World of Warcraft gamer is vividly reimagined when his online friends contact his family after his death.
Cast:
Mats Steen, Robert Steen, Trude Steen, Mia Steen, Kelsey Ellison
Director:
Benjamin Ree
Writer:
Mats Steen
(Writing for OTTPlay)
The Retroactive Stillness Of Grief
Thu, October 31 2024
Benjamin Ree’s The Remarkable Life of Ibelin starts off as a documentary about death. We see the tombstone of Mats Steen, a Norwegian boy whose body and soul were at war. A mix of VHS footage and family interviews then reveals that Mats had duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a degenerative disease that reduced his 25 years to a hellish survival story. His mind yearned for the momentum his muscles never had. Subsequent clips show his body shrinking on landmarks and vacations, the end inching closer.
Aindhaam Vedham
Mystery (Tamil)
Anu travels to Varanasi for her mother’s last rites, where a priest asks her to deliver an ancient relic to a temple in Tamil Nadu. While she plans to disobey his command, fate has other plans.
Cast:
Sai Dhanshika, Santhosh Prathap, Vivek Rajagopal, Krisha Kurup, Y. G. Mahendran
Director:
Naga
Writer:
Naga
Naga’s Mystical Thriller Is Ridiculously Stale And Dated
Tue, October 29 2024
Anu heads to Varanasi to immerse her mother’s ashes in Ganga. During the trip, she meets a sage, who hands over an ancient relic to her and dies under mysterious circumstances. Though Anu is instructed to give it to a temple priest in a village, she is reluctant to take the initiative. What connects her to the relic, an ancient temple and the fifth veda?
The Miranda Brothers
Drama (Hindi)
An orphan rescued from trash becomes devoted to his elder brother in a Goan suburb run by a drug gang, both growing to be star footballers - till suspicious death of their mother threatens to tear them apart.
Cast:
Harshvardhan Rane, Meezaan Jafri, Manasi Joshi Roy, Sanjay Suri, Rahul Dev
Director:
Sanjay Gupta
Writer:
Sanjay Gupta
Sanjay Gupta’s Sibling Saga Is An Ultimate Snooze-Fest
Tue, October 29 2024
Julio, the son of a single parent Susan Miranda, requests his mother to adopt an infant who’s left stranded on the streets. Braving past several financial challenges, Susain raises Julio and Regalo, who are extremely fond of one another. As adults, they hope to make a career in football. However, when a personal setback tests their equation, Regalo has a tough choice to make.
Goa, Football and (Filmmaking) Crimes
Mon, October 28 2024
Sanjay Gupta’s The Miranda Brothers revolves around two hunky brothers named Julio (Harshvardhan Rane) and Regalo Miranda (Meezaan Jafri), rising football stars in a Josh-coded Goa where orphaned babies are picked up from garbage dumps outside churches; arrogant cricketers cackle and say: “Cricket has two C’s: Cash and Chicks”; football scouts exclaim: “if we select both brothers, it’s like an earthquake and typhoon becoming one!”; bronze-bodied dance tracks called “Be My Mehbooba” pop up on a beach; and mourners at a funeral walk together in slow-motion as if they’re teleported to Sanjay Gupta’s Kaante (2002) instead.
The Legend of Hanuman S05
Animation, Action & Adventure (Hindi)
When the power-hungry Ravan tore through the world to unleash evil, in his way stood a humble vaanar awoken to his divinity to become an immortal legend. The series follows Hanuman and his transformation from a mighty warrior to a god and how Hanuman became the beacon of hope amidst the harrowing darkness.
Cast:
Richard Joel, Daman Baggan
Director:
Navin John
Writer:
Jeevan J. Kang
A worthy, lively peek into an epic from a new tangent
Tue, October 29 2024
With Indrajith no longer around and Ravan drowning in sadness, Ahiravan wreaks havoc on the Lankan dynasty. Hanuman is surprised to realise he has a son – Makardhwaja, who opposes him initially but makes amends later. He also finds unexpected support from Ravan’s former aide Harshasringa in his quest to free Ram and Laxman from Ahiravan. Who has the last laugh?