Freedom at Midnight S02
Drama, War & Politics (Hindi)
Freedom at Midnight is the electrifying story of India's struggle for independence. Based on the bestselling book of the same name, it recounts the partition of India and Pakistan, and the religious and socio-political dynamics of the era. (more…)
The Raja Saab
Comedy, Horror, Fantasy (Telugu)
A young heir embraces both his royal heritage and rebellious spirit as he rises to power, establishing unprecedented rules during his reign as Raja Saab. (more…)
Guild Reviews
Taskaree: The Smugglers Web
Crime, Mystery, Drama (Hindi)
A dedicated customs officer and his team take on a notorious smuggler leading a powerful syndicate, but unexpected obstacles threaten their mission.
Cast:
Emraan Hashmi, Sharad Kelkar, Anurag Sinha, Zoya Afroz, Nandish Singh, Amruta Khanvilkar, Anuja Sathe, Freddy Daruwala, Jameel Khan, Sumit Nijhawan
Director:
Neeraj Pandey, Raghav Jairath
Writer:
Vipul K Rawal, Neeraj Pandey
तस्करी की नई दुनिया, मगर फॉर्मूले पुराने
Thu, January 15 2026
फलां एयरपोर्ट पर इतने लाख का सोना पकड़ा गया। फलां आदमी शरीर में इतने किलो ड्रग्स बांधकर ला रहा था। तस्करी की ऐसी खबरें हम अक्सर सुनते रहते हैं। बीते साल ही कन्नड़ अभिनेत्री रान्या राव के सोने की तस्करी के किस्से सुर्खियों में रहे। तस्करी के इसी काले धंधे और इन पर लगाम लगाने वाले कस्टम अधिकारियों की चुनौतियों का रोचक ताना-बाना दिखाती है, वेब सीरीज ‘तस्करी: द स्मगलर्स वेब’। नीरज पांडे और राघव जयरथ निर्देशित यह सीरीज एक ओर जहां स्मगलिंग के इंटरनेशनल नेटवर्क से रूबरू करवाती है, वहीं कस्टम अफसरों की जिंदगी, काम के तरीकों, और चुनौतियों को भी गहराई से दिखाती है। हालांकि, बाद में ट्विस्ट और कमर्शियल मसाले जोड़ने के चक्कर में यह बॉलीवुडिया फॉर्मूलों में फंस जाती है।
People We Meet on Vacation
Romance, Comedy, Drama (English)
Poppy's a free spirit. Alex loves a plan. After years of summer vacations, these polar-opposite pals wonder if they could be a perfect romantic match.
Cast:
Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Lukas Gage, Miles Heizer, Alan Ruck, Molly Shannon, Tommy Do
Director:
Brett Haley
An enjoyable watch, making up for lack of surprise with its agreeable charm
Thu, January 15 2026
We find ourselves in an age where romance — not to be confused with love — is manufactured, off screen as much as it is on it. The list of perennial favourites in the Hollywood romantic-comedy genre rarely deviate beyond When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill, The Notebook, and You’ve Got Mail, and I am not just talking about someone like me who is of a certain vintage. Gen-Z may argue — “What about To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before?” or “Haven’t you watched La La Land?” — and with solid enough reason, but a classic rom-com for the ages has been a long time coming.
Tom Blyth, Emily Bader Charm In Funny, Delightful Rom-Com
Sat, January 10 2026
The first adaptation of author Emily Henry’s work is off to a flying start. Director Brett Haley stays close to Henry’s work with People We Meet on Vacation, as two best friends, Alex (Tom Blyth) and Poppy (Emily Bader), reunite every summer to travel to new places. Of course, with every trip, their relationship changes as they wonder if they could be right for one another. The Netflix film doesn’t change the genre by any means, but Blyth and Bader elevate the material with their chemistry and witty banter.
Ponies
Drama (English)
In 1977 Moscow, two "PONIES" ("persons of no interest") become CIA operatives and uncover a Cold War conspiracy their husbands were killed for.
Cast:
Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Nicholas Podany, Petro Ninovskyi, Vic Michaelis
Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson's Cold War Spy Thriller Strings Along Intriguing Mystery
Thu, January 15 2026
Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke and The White Lotus’s Haley Lu Richardson team up as two American women bound by the same fate in an unknown country. The dramedy Ponies, created by Susanna Fogel and David Iserson, has the two women who are opposites in every way become undercover CIA operatives to solve a personal case. While the situations the two find themselves in grow increasingly wild and unbelievable, the actresses manage to carve space within the story for their characters to stand out. The title Ponies stands for ‘Persons of No Interest’ in intelligence terms.
Anaganaga Oka Raju
Romance, Comedy (Telugu)
In the Godavari region, Raju, a carefree man with no clear goals in life falls in love with Charulata, a beautiful girl. To win her over, Raju must contest and win the local body elections.
Cast:
Naveen Polishetty, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Rao Ramesh, Tarak Ponnappa, Goparaju Ramana, Ananth Babu, Madhusudhan Rao, Bhadram, Chammak Chandra, Mahesh Achanta
Director:
Maari
Writer:
Maari
Naveen Polishetty strikes again in an uneven yet fun ride
Wed, January 14 2026
Two years after the urban romcom Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty(2023), actor-screenwriter Naveen Polishetty returns with another film laced with humour. In contrast to the restraint he showed in that film, Naveen unabashedly plays to the gallery in Anaganaga Oka Raju. The humour is delivered through gags that come at such a rapid pace that the audience may not get a breather to pause and reflect.
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu
Action, Comedy, Mystery (Telugu)
National security officer Vara Prasad, protecting his estranged wife and kids from a vengeful ex-cop, sees it as a chance to rebuild their relationship after six years apart.
Cast:
Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara, Venkatesh, Catherine Tresa, Harsha Vardhan, Abhinav Gomatam, Sachin Khedekar, Sharat Saxena, Sudev Nair, Srinivasa Reddy
Director:
Anil Ravipudi
Writer:
Anil Ravipudi
Chiranjeevi’s playful return, with Venkatesh in tow
Mon, January 12 2026
Certain things are a given in a film written and directed by Anil Ravipudi. There will be ample comedy, even if much of it is unabashedly silly. Viewers familiar with his work know not to expect nuance, or much by way of technical polish. In Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, his first collaboration with Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, Ravipudi leans into these strengths, loading the film with humour and fanboy moments that bank on the actor’s nostalgic appeal. The chief pleasure lies in watching Chiranjeevi clearly enjoying himself, aided by an extended cameo from Venkatesh Daggubati and the presence of Nayanthara.
Freedom at Midnight S02
Drama, War & Politics (Hindi)
Freedom at Midnight is the electrifying story of India's struggle for independence. Based on the bestselling book of the same name, it recounts the partition of India and Pakistan, and the religious and socio-political dynamics of the era.
Cast:
Sidhant Gupta, Chirag Vohra, Rajendra Chawla, Arif Zakaria, Rajesh Kumar
Director:
Nikkhil Advani
Historical series returns stronger and richer
Mon, January 12 2026
In the third episode of Freedom At Midnight’s second season, Abhishek Banerjee turns up as an unnamed Hindu rioter. Towards the end, he confronts Gandhi (Chirag Vohra), who’s fasting in yet another attempt to end the terrible sectarian violence in Calcutta. He berates the frail old man, yelling at him to eat, confessing to murder, finally breaking down. Gandhi, barely able to speak, advises him to wipe his heart of hatred.
Mon, January 12 2026
लेखक विलियम एल शीरर की किताब ‘राइज ऐंड फॉल ऑफ थर्ड राईच’ की शुरुआती लाइन है, ‘दोज हू फॉरगेट हिस्ट्री आर कंडेम्ड टू रिपीट इट’ यानी जो अपना इतिहास भूल जाते हैं, वे उसे दोबारा दोहराते हैं। इसलिए, फिल्मकार निखिल आडवाणी अपनी सीरीज ‘फ्रीडम एट मिडनाइट’ के जरिए 1947 के उस ऐतिहासिक लेकिन विवादित पन्ने को पलटते हैं, जब देश को आजादी की कीमत बंटवारे के अब तक रिसने वाले जख्मों से चुकानी पड़ी थी। लैरी कॉलिन्स और डोमिनिक लैपियर की इसी नाम से लिखी चर्चित किताब पर आधारित इस सीरीज का दूसरा सीजन आ चुका है, जिसमें निखिल हिंदुस्तान और पाकिस्तान के स्वतंत्र अस्तित्व में आने के दौरान हुई हिंसा और उसके बाद के राजनीतिक-सामाजिक हालातों, चुनौतियों को बहुत ही गहराई और संवेदनशील ढंग से पर्दे पर उतारा है।
Nikkhil Advani hits the sweet spot between text and context
Sat, January 10 2026
History lovers often crave the human drama behind epochal events. They pine for the backroom intrigue, the clash of egos, the creases in the starched characters that decorate our history books, not to forget the impact of their moral stand on the man on the street. These days, ancient and medieval history offers plenty of elbow room to play with the past, but when it comes to modern Indian history, filmmakers tend to draw back, as the wounds are still fresh and memories of Partition linger.
The Night Manager S02
Drama, Mystery, Crime (English)
Former British soldier Jonathan Pine navigates the shadowy recesses of Whitehall and Washington where an unholy alliance operates between the intelligence community and the secret arms trade. To infiltrate the inner circle of lethal arms dealer Richard Onslow Roper, Pine must himself become a criminal.
Cast:
Tom Hiddleston, Diego Calva, Camila Morrone, Paul Chahidi, Hayley Squires, Indira Varma, Unax Ugalde, Alberto Ammann, Diego Santos, Slavko Sobin
Tom Hiddleston's Bleak Spy Thriller Is Just As Riveting In Return
Sun, January 11 2026
After 10 years, Tom Hiddleston is back in The Night Manager for a second season. Much time has passed since we last saw the character Jonathan Pine, but the spy world continues to have its shadowy figures ready to plunge civilization into darkness. Now, as a more seasoned intelligence agent, Pine tries to chase his past to stop another coup. The British spy thriller, created by David Farr, has a new urgency and even more dangerous criminal in its return on Amazon Prime Video.
Song Sung Blue
Drama, Music, Romance (English)
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.
Cast:
Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hilbert Hensley, Shyaporn Theerakulstit
Director:
Craig Brewer
Writer:
Craig Brewer
Love on the Rocks
Sun, January 11 2026
Song Sung Blue is inspired by the music of Neil Diamond but it is not a biopic of the famed singer. Rather, it presents a biographical narrative of the individuals who established a tribute band dedicated to Neil Diamond. The documentary featuring Mike and Claire Sardina shares the same title as this film and acts as a source of inspiration for the storyline.
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in an aching duet of love and life
Tue, December 9 2025
“Nostalgia sells,” says Patsy Cline impersonator Claire (Kate Hudson) to an exasperated Mike (Hugh Jackman) in Song Sung Blue. He had just refused to don a Don Ho getup at a paying gig. If it weren’t a film and the actors weren’t well-known, this would be the last scenario where any sparks might fly. In a striking dramatization of a true story, the duo come together, romantically and professionally, to become a hit among Milwaukee’s music lovers, who take Neil Diamond’s songs like a sweet pill. Beyond the onstage fireworks, the unbelievable love and family story of Lightning and Thunder takes shape in Craig Brewer’s musical melodrama.
The Raja Saab
Comedy, Horror, Fantasy (Telugu)
A young heir embraces both his royal heritage and rebellious spirit as he rises to power, establishing unprecedented rules during his reign as Raja Saab.
Cast:
Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, Boman Irani, Zarina Wahab, Samuthirakani, VTV Ganesh, Saptagiri
Director:
Maruthi Dasari
Writer:
Maruthi Dasari
Prabhas needs to stop doing favours
Sat, January 10 2026
A bizarre spectacle where the joke never lands
Sat, January 10 2026
Early on in The Raja Saab, a health scare prompts Prabhas to ask comedian Mahesh Achanta to fetch an odd assortment of items, from footwear to cigarettes. When Mahesh asks if he is serious, Prabhas snaps back with: do the needful — call an ambulance. The exchange is meant to be funny, but it lands flat, setting the tone for what follows. Written and directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab aims to rewind Telugu cinema to a pre-Baahubali Prabhas — when he thrived in light-hearted roles with space for romance and comedy, à la Darling or Mr Perfect. The actor appears willing to embrace this blend of horror, comedy, fantasy and romance. Yet the film collapses into a baffling hotchpotch that squanders a promising premise. At 189 minutes, it becomes an endurance test, where the occasional spark of fun is smothered by a dull, meandering narrative.
Prabhas's horror comedy is devoid of charm, thrills and chills
Sat, January 10 2026
Prabhas’s much-anticipated film, The Raja Saab is about a search for a missing grandfather. Over its three-hour runtime, viewers also end up searching for more than a grandfather. They seek plot cohesion, character depth, genuine scares, or consistent entertainment value - must-haves for every film. Like the film’s protagonist wandering through a haunted palace, you may feel a lack of clear direction or a fully satisfying destination. The Raja Saab begins with Raja (Prabhas) living with his grandmother Gangamma, played by Zarina Wahab. Gangamma suffers from Alzheimer’s and remembers only her missing husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt) and her grandson. She tells Raja to keep looking for his missing grandfather, who often appears in her dreams.
Laalo
Family, Drama (Gujarati)
A rickshaw driver trapped in a farmhouse confronts his past demons while experiencing visions of Lord Krishna, who guides him through a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.
Cast:
Reeva Racch, Shruhad Goswami, Karan Joshi
Director:
Ankit Sakhiya
Writer:
Vicky Poornima, Krushansh Vaja, Ankit Sakhiya
While the film draws from Frank Capra's 'It's a Wonderful Life' and Vikramaditya Motwane's 'Trapped', it ultimately delivers a universal message about living with grace and generosity.
Sat, January 10 2026
आस्था और कर्म का मार्ग दिखलाती ‘लालो’
Sat, January 10 2026
पहले तो यह जान लीजिए कि ‘लालो’ हिन्दी में डब होकर आई एक गुजराती फिल्म है जिसे बिना उपयुक्त प्रचार के रिलीज़ कर दिया गया है, शायद यह सोच कर कि यह अपनी राह खुद बना लेगी। लेकिन इसे बनाने वाले लोग शायद हिन्दी के दर्शकों का मिज़ाज नहीं जानते कि ये लोग सिर्फ उसी चीज़ के पीछे भागते हैं जिसके भीतर भले ही दम हो या न हो लेकिन जिसका ढोल ज़ोर-ज़ोर से बजाया गया हो। तो सुनिए, इस फिल्म ‘लालो-श्रीकृष्ण सदा सहायते’ का ढोल इस तरह से बजाया जा सकता है कि अक्टूबर, 2025 में गुजराती में रिलीज़ हुई यह फिल्म गुजराती सिनेमा के इतिहास की सबसे बड़ी हिट फिल्म है। इसके आने से पहले जहां सबसे बड़ी हिट गुजराती फिल्म का कलैक्शन 50 करोड़ था वहीं इस फिल्म का कलैक्शन 120 करोड़ तक जा पहुंचा है। माउथ पब्लिसिटी के दम पर इतनी बड़ी हिट होने के बाद अब यह हिन्दी में डब होकर आई है। ज़ाहिर है इसमें कुछ तो खास होगा ही, आइए देखते हैं।
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
A Spotify Review
Wed, January 7 2026
Haq, the new propaganda movie starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi, is even more insidious than Dhurandhar. We talk about the film’s harmful stereotypes, the irresponsibility of presenting an entire community as savages, and drawing a direct line between bad behaviour and faith. We also discuss the film’s sloppy storytelling, childish approach to complex ideas, and its constant need to spoon-feed its audience.
A Spotify Review
Wed, January 7 2026
Haq, the new propaganda movie starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi, is even more insidious than. We talk about the film’s harmful stereotypes, the irresponsibility of presenting an entire community as savages, and drawing a direct line between bad behaviour and faith. We also discuss the film’s sloppy storytelling, childish approach to complex ideas, and its constant need to spoon-feed its audience.
(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.
The Pitt S02
Drama (English)
The staff of Pittsburgh's Trauma Medical Center work around the clock to save lives in an overcrowded and underfunded emergency department.
Cast:
Noah Wyle, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, Sepideh Moafi
Emmy-Winning Medical Drama Makes Confident Return With New Obstacles, Faces
Tue, January 6 2026
The first season of HBO Max’s The Pitt became a breakout hit after it focused its attention on the forgotten frontline workers in a Pittsburgh hospital. Now, a year after its premiere, the medical drama is back with its unique storytelling format and more urgent conditions for its characters. With each episode taking place over an hour, The Pitt highlights the many challenges faced by healthcare workers in America. This time, the show unfolds over the busy national holiday on the Fourth of July and delves more into the doctors’ and nurses’ lives as well.