Star Cast: Ajay Devgn, Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan

Director: Vijay Kumar Arora 

Son Of Sardaar 2 Movie Review Synopsis:
SON OF SARDAAR 2 is the story of a man in an extraordinary situation. Jassi (Ajay Devgn) lives in Punjab with his mother (Dolly Ahluwalia). Jassi is married to Dimple (Neeru Bajwa) and she has shifted to the UK for work. After several attempts, Jassi finally gets the visa to the European country. He flies to London only to realise that Dimple wants a divorce from him along with alimony. Jassi is shattered and doesn’t have the heart to tell the truth to his mother. Hence, he stays put in London. A local contact asks Jassi to hire a lawyer for the divorce case. Instead of a lawyer, Jassi meets Rabia (Mrunal Thakur), a marriage performer of Pakistan origin, in a case of a mistaken identity. She invites him to stay with her and step daughter Saba (Roshni Walia), Mehwish (Kubbra Sait) and Gul (Deepak Dobriyal). Saba is in love with Gogi (Sahil Mehta), son of Raja (Ravi Kishan), a dangerous businessman. He is clear that he wants his son to marry in a hardcore Sardar family. This is when Rabia and others convince Jassi to pretend to be Saba’s father. Moreover, Saba lies that Jassi is a Colonel in the Indian army! What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Son Of Sardaar 2 Movie Review Synopsis:
Jagdeep Singh Sidhu and Mohit Jain’s story is very promising. But Jagdeep Singh Sidhu and Mohit Jain’s screenplay is the biggest culprit, as the humour quotient is extremely limited. Jagdeep Singh Sidhu’s dialogues are fine but not consistently funny.

Vijay Kumar Arora’s direction is okay. He handles a few scenes with panache like Jassi narrating scenes from the film BORDER [1997] and passing them off as his own experiences. Post-interval, the scene of the pole dancing is sure to raise laughs in cinemas. The madness that ensues in the finale keeps the interest going.

On the flipside, the first 30-40 minutes are very dull and one wonders where the film is headed. The story, moreover, is a bhel puri of comic capers like WELCOME, HOUSEFULL and even EK AUR EK GYARAH. The opium angle is bizarre and backfires. Also, the actions of character of Bantu Bhaiya (Sanjay Mishra) are weird, more so after his intention is known. But all these aspects would not have mattered much if the humour was in abundance, and sadly, that’s not the case. 

Son Of Sardaar 2 – Official Trailer | Ajay Devgn & Mrunal Thakur | Vijay Kumar Arora | 25th July

Son Of Sardaar 2 Movie Review Performances:
Ajay Devgn puts in a sincere effort and plays the role with panache. Mrunal Thakur delivers a fine performance and has a lovely screen presence. Ravi Kishan is the best performer in the film. Deepak Dobriyal gets to play an entertaining part. Kubbra Sait is quite confident. Sharat Saxena (Raja’s father) has a late entry but makes his presence felt. Vindu Dara Singh (Titu) and the late Mukul Dev (Tony) are adorable. Roshni Walia is cute and makes her presence felt. Chunky Panday (Danish) and Sanjay Mishra fail to impress. Dolly Ahluwalia is dependable. Sahil Mehta is fair. The actors playing the English mother and Janet are funny. 

Son Of Sardaar 2 movie music and other technical aspects:
The music is not upto the mark. The title track is mounted on a huge scale but doesn’t have the same punch as the title song in SON OF SARDAAR [2012]. ‘Pehla Tu Duja Tu’ works because of its novel dance step but is forced. The same goes for ‘Nazar Battu’. ‘The Po Po Song’ is disappointing.’Rabba Sanu’ and ‘Nachdi’ fail to register.

Amar Mohile and Salil Amrute’s background score is in sync with the film’s mood. Aseem Bajaj’s cinematography is grand and gives the film a rich look. Garima Mathur’s production design is classy while Radhika Mehra’s costumes are stylish. R P Yadav’s action is minimal. Ninad Khanolkar’s editing is passable. 

Son Of Sardaar 2 Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, SON OF SARDAAR 2 suffers because of limited humour. At the box office, it’ll face a tough time due to immense competition from new and holdover releases.

Star Cast: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Danny Huston

Director: Akiva Schaffer

The Naked Gun Movie Review Synopsis:
THE NAKED GUN is the story of a rebellious cop. Lt Frank Drebin Jr (Liam Neeson) works for the Police Squad and is notorious for his unconventional ways of bringing criminals to book. Despite successfully foiling a bank robbery, Chief Davis (CCH Pounder) downgrades him and asks him to investigate an accident case. Frank assumes that the case of the drowning of Simon Davenport is that of suicide. But soon, he realises that it’s even more so after he meets the deceased’s employer, Richard Cane (Danny Huston). Simon’s sister, Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson), also convinces Frank of foul play. Meanwhile, Richard is all set to create havoc in the world and that may have led to Simon’s murder. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The Naked Gun Movie Story Review:
Dan Gregor, Doug Mand and Akiva Schaffer’s story is clichéd, but it works. Dan Gregor, Doug Mand and Akiva Schaffer’s screenplay is crazy and peppered with outrageously funny moments. The dialogues add a lot to the humour quotient.

Akiva Schaffer’s direction is entertaining. He does justice to THE NAKED GUN series and keeps the film in the same zone. Hence, one will experience a bit of nostalgic, old-school filmmaking. But what works the most are the funny moments, many of which are unexpected and bizarre. A sequence that stands out is when Frank’s body camera footage is being accessed. The scene at the journalist’s residence is crazy and will be lapped up.

On the flipside, a crucial scene at mid-point seems heavily borrowed from a similar sequence in AUSTIN POWERS. A crucial plot point also reminds one of KINGSMAN. The climax could have been crazier, considering the zone of the film. Lastly, the buzz for the film is limited in India.

The Naked Gun Movie Review Performances:
Liam Neeson plays his part with innocence and that works best for the film. His comic timing is subtle yet impactful. Pamela Anderson delivers an apt performance and contributes to the madness well. Danny Huston is decent as the antagonist, while CCH Pounder is too funny. Paul Walter Hauser (Ed), Kevin Durand (Gustafson), Liza Koshy (Detective Barnes) and Eddy Yu (Detective Park) don’t get much scope. Dave Bautista is funny in a cameo.

The Naked Gun movie music and other technical aspects:
Lorne Balfe’s music is in sync with the film’s mood. Brandon Trost’s cinematography is neat. Bill Brzeski’s production design is rich while Betsy Heimann and Maria Tortu’s costumes are classy. Action is usually gory in such films and also as per the present-day era. In that regard, THE NAKED GUN is an exception. Brian Scott Olds’s editing is slick.

The Naked Gun Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, THE NAKED GUN is a great A-rated Hollywood comedy after a long time and fulfils expectations. However, it has got limited shows and hopefully, strong word of mouth could very well ensure consistent footfalls in the coming days.

Star Cast: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Dhadak 2 Movie Review Synopsis:
DHADAK 2 is the story of two opposites in love. Neelesh (Siddhant Chaturvedi) belongs to the low caste and he has secured admission in the National University of Law through quota. His classmate is Vidhisha aka Vidhi (Triptii Dimri), who belongs to the upper caste. Both form a great bond and soon fall for each other. Vidhi’s sister Nimisha (Deeksha Joshi) is getting married and the former invites Neelesh for the wedding ceremony. Vidhi’s family has objections to this invitation but they allow him to attend anyway. Neelesh attends the wedding with a lot of excitement but here he gets the shock of his life. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Dhadak 2 Movie Story Review:
DHADAK 2 is the remake of the 2018 Tamil film PARIYERUM PERUMAL. Rahul Badwelkar and Shazia Iqbal’s adapted story is simple yet hard-hitting. Also, it’s not a scene-by-scene adaptation. Rahul Badwelkar and Shazia Iqbal’s adapted screenplay is a bit dry in the first half but is quite effective post-interval. Rahul Badwelkar and Shazia Iqbal’s dialogues are sharp.

Shazia Iqbal’s direction is quite good. It mirrors the reality and how caste-based prejudice plagues the society even today. This makes DHADAK 2 one of the bravest films in recent times. The protagonists are well fleshed out and the issues that arise because of their love story makes for a great watch. The intermission point is shocking and it takes the film to another level. Equally powerful is the climax; it’ll induce claps in cinemas.

On the flipside, the first half doesn’t pack the intended punch. The way Neelesh and Vidhi fall in love so quickly seems a bit unconvincing. The track of Shekhar (Priyank Tiwari) gets a raw deal and the makers don’t properly justify its presence in the narrative. Lastly, the music is not up to the mark.

Dhadak 2 – Official Trailer | Siddhant Chaturvedi | Triptii Dimri | Shazia Iqbal

Dhadak 2 Movie Review Performances:
Siddhant Chaturvedi plays a difficult role with ease. He is fully convincing as someone who wants to fight back but the limitations because of his identity prevents him from doing so. This dichotomy has been nicely brought alive by the young actor. Triptii Dimri delivers yet another superb performance. She maintains a strong position, even though her screen time is a bit limited in the second half. She shines in the pre-climax and climax. Saurabh Sachdeva (Shankar) has a crucial part and is terrific to say the least. Priyanka Tiwari is decent and she should have got more due. Vipin Sharma (Neelesh’s father) has the most unique character in the film and as expected, he’s dependable. Saad Bilgrami (Ronnie) is fair as the villain. Zakir Hussain (Principal Haider Ansari) and Harish Khanna (Vidhi’s father Arvind) leave a huge mark. Deeksha Joshi, Aditya Thakare (Vasu), Abhay Joshi (Vidhi’s uncle Prakash), Anubha Fatehpuria (Neelesh’s mother) and Manjari Pupala (Richa) do very well in supporting roles.

Dhadak 2 movie music and other technical aspects:
Songs are well woven into the narrative but won’t have a shelf life. ‘Bas Ek Dhadak’, ‘Preet Re’, ‘Duniya Alag’ and ‘Yeh Kaisa Ishq’ are soulful while ‘Bawaria’ is foot-tapping. Tanuj Tiku’s background score is in sync with the film’s mood.

Sylvester Fonseca’s cinematography is appropriate. Suman Roy Mahapatra’s production design and Prashant Sawant’s costumes are realistic. Amrit Singh’s action is gripping and not too disturbing. Omkar Uttam Sakpal and Sangeeth Varghese’s editing (supervising editing by Charu Shree Roy) is more or less satisfactory but the first half and some scenes in the middle of the second half could have been crisper.

Dhadak 2 Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, DHADAK 2 makes an important comment on the caste system and works due to the subject, performances, hard-hitting scenes and powerful climax.

Star Cast: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn

Director: Matt Shakman

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review Synopsis:
THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is the story of superheroes saving the world. The film is set in a retro-futuristic world of the 1960s. On Earth 828, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) reside in New York. They are astronomers who go to space for a mission but gain superhero powers after being exposed to cosmic rays. They now use their powers to save the Earth from trouble. Reed and Sue are married and the latter is pregnant. The superheroes are happy, but their celebration is short-lived when a mysterious woman, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), appears to announce to the people of Earth that their planet has been marked for destruction by the planet-devouring cosmic being, Galactus (Ralph Ineson). The Fantastic Four realize that she is not bluffing and that Galactus is indeed destroying and disappearing planets. With no other option in hand, they once again don their spacesuits and head to space, this time to find Galactus and stop him from attacking the Earth. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Story Review:
Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer and Kat Wood’s story serves as a nice introduction of the superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer’s screenplay keeps viewers captivated but is also a bit stagnant in some places. The dialogues are entertaining.

Matt Shakman’s direction is supreme. Like SUPERMAN, the origin backstory is also not given much prominence, though in this film, the beginnings of the superheroes are shown through montages and not just in text form. The 60s vibe is also well captured. What works big time is the bond between the superheroes and how they always stay united. The scene where they refuse to accept Galactus’ condition and the effect of it on the humans is quite dramatic. The subtle comment made here on trolling and sensational news debates is very relatable. Matt, however, reserves the best for the finale. It is exhilarating and also touching. The mid-credit scene, meanwhile, would lead to a frenzy in cinemas.

On the flipside, the pace of the film drops in a few places. The entire track of Johnny learning the alien language is difficult to comprehend. One also doesn’t fully connect to the idea of Harvey aka Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser). In the quest to give a quick introduction, the makers didn’t give certain plot points their due. Meanwhile, the timing of the release can prove detrimental in India.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review Performances:
Pedro Pascal, as always, looks dashing and delivers a subtle yet effective performance. Vanessa Kirby gets to play a cool character, and she does total justice. She shines in the climax. Joseph Quinn is adorable and puts up a first-rate act. Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ralph Ineson make their presence felt. Julia Garner leaves a huge mark. Paul Walter Hauser, Sarah Niles (Lynne Nichols), Mark Gatiss (Ted Gilbert) and Natasha Lyonne (Rachel Rozman) get limited scope.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps movie music and other technical aspects:
Michael Giacchino’s music has a vintage feel. Jess Hall’s cinematography is supreme. Kasra Farahani’s production design gets the retro-futuristic aesthetic right. Alexandra Byrne’s costumes are appropriate. Nona Khodai and Tim Roche’s editing could have been slicker.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is yet another fabulous entertainer from the Marvel Cinematic Universe after THUNDERBOLTS. Though it has managed good advance sales, it might not be able to reach its full box office potential due to the gigantic SAIYAARA wave.

Star Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Paresh Rawal

Director: Kussh S Sinha

Nikita Roy Movie Review Synopsis:
NIKITA ROY is the story of a girl fighting blind faith. Nikita (Sonakshi Sinha) is an author and a part of the International Rationalist Community (IRC), London. Her brother Sanal Roy (Arjun Rampal) is also a part of IRC and a staunch rationalist. He is also her mentor and he dotes on her. One day, Nikita’s life comes crashing down when she is informed that Sanal has passed away. As per the cops, he died by suicide. But Nikita is confident that it’s a murder. She finds out that Sanal was working on the case of Godman Amar Dev (Paresh Rawal) of Tru Faith Foundation. IRC members are reluctant to help Nikita as Amar is very powerful and also dangerous. Hence, she decides to fight Amar alone. Help comes from her ex-boyfriend, Jolly (Suhail Nayyar). What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Nikita Roy Movie Story Review:
Pavan Kirpalani’s original story and Kussh S Sinha’s adapted story hold a lot of promise. Pavan Kirpalani’s screenplay (additional screenplay by Neel Mohanty, Kussh S Sinha, Ankur Vijay Takrani) is lacklustre. Belal Khalique’s dialogues are just okay.

Kussh S Sinha’s direction is not up to the mark. He is equipped with a great story about godmen. On top of it, there’s also bit of a supernatural element. Hence, if dealt well, this film could have made for a thrilling watch. Moreover, it starts on a chilling note. The first half is engaging and one expects fireworks in the second half.

Sadly, the post-interval portions are boring. The entire investigate bit falls flat. Nikita presents herself as someone who will expose Amar Dev but in reality, she doesn’t have any plan. She shoots arrows in the dark. Hence, one doesn’t see her in awe. Moreover, a few questions remain unanswered till the very end. The finale raises interest but at the same time, it is convenient and predictable.

Nikita Roy – Official Trailer | Sonakshi Sinha, Paresh Rawal

Nikita Roy Movie Review Performances:
Sonakshi Sinha yet again proves that she’s a fine performer and can nicely shoulder a film if given a chance. Paresh Rawal is top-notch as the villain. Suhail Nayyar gives a wonderful performance and has a great screen presence. Arjun Rampal is lovely in a cameo. Kallirroi Tziafeta (Freya) leaves a huge mark. Supreet Bedi (Tina), Kumall Grewal (Krishnan), Paul Coster (Inspector Brian), Beau Baptist (Inspector James), Adi Chugh (Sameer; IRC member), Calin Bleau (Luca; Amar Dev’s assistant) and Zara Zaidi (Rosemary; Amar Dev’s assistant) are fair.

Nikita Roy movie music and other technical aspects:
Abhinav Shekhar’s music is forgettable. ‘Kaali Raatein’ works due to the placement and graphics. Amar Mohile’s background score adds to the eeriness.

Anshul Chobey’s cinematography is normal. Ian Van Temperley’s action is cinematic. Sunil Nigvekar’s production design is convincing while Ankit Patel and Nuri Chimnani’s costumes are straight out of life. Ritesh Soni’s editing could have been better.

Nikita Roy Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, NIKITA ROY is a lacklustre investigative thriller. At the box office, it has released with negligible buzz and will go unnoticed.

Star Cast: Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda

Director: Mohit Suri

Saiyaara Movie Review Synopsis:
SAIYAARA is the story of two lovers. Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda) is a closet poet and is all set to get married. After her partner doesn’t arrive for court marriage and dumps her at the last minute, Vaani is devastated. She stops writing poems. Six months later, she gets a job as a journalist. This is when she bumps into Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday). He’s an aspiring singer but has lot of aggression in him. Krish reads Vaani’s poem and gets enchanted by it. He asks her to join him to write lyrics for his songs. Both come closer while working and fall for each other. Sadly, their love story has several obstacles. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Saiyaara Movie Story Review:
Sankalp Sadanah’s story is excellent. Sankalp Sadanah screenplay is dramatic and gripping. But it also gives a dejavu of some past films of Mohit Suri. Rohan Shankar’s dialogues are touching and contribute beautifully to the film.

Mohit Suri’s direction is splendid. He has always been a fine storyteller but watch out for him here as he has evolved and how! His films usually deal with loneliness, alcoholism and a lot more and all these aspects are there. But at the same time, there’s a lot more to the story. Thankfully, the makers didn’t give out the plot in the trailer. Viewers will be astonished with the interval block and kudos to the makers for keeping it hidden. Some scenes that stand out are Krish’s dramatic entry, Vaani admonishing Krish for not being able to pen the lyrics, Vaani confessing about her past while Krish plays cricket. Post-interval, the madness that occurs backstage is very dramatic. The pre climax is gripping while the finale is moving.

On the flipside, though Mohit Suri tries his best to ensure SAIYAARA stands out, one can’t help but remember AASHIQUI 2 and his other films as a few plot points are similar. Some scenes come out as a bit silly and might lead to unintentional laughter in cinemas.

Saiyaara | Official Trailer | Ahaan Panday | Aneet Padda | Mohit Suri | Releasing 18 July 2025

Saiyaara Movie Review Performances:
Ahaan Panday makes a terrific debut. His screen presence is electrifying and he shines the most in emotional scenes. Aneet Padda will surprise as her character is very challenging and she pulls it off like a pro. The chemistry of both is very enticing as well. Alam Khan (KV) leaves a huge mark. Geeta Agarwal (Vaani’s mother), Rajesh Kumar (Vaani’s father), Varun Badola (Krish’s father), Shaad Randhawa (Prince), Sid Makkar (Vinit Rawal; manager), Shaan R Grover (Mahesh Iyer) and Neil Dutta (Cleo) lend able support.

Saiyaara movie music and other technical aspects:
The songs are a USP. The title track is the best track of the lot and is very well shot. The same goes for ‘Dhun’. ‘Barbaad’, ‘Tum Ho Toh’ and ‘Humsafar’ are very soulful. John Stewart Eduri’s background score is in sync with the film’s mood.

Vikas Sivaraman’s cinematography gives the film rich, vibrant look. Laxmi Keluskar, Rajat Poddar’s production design is rich. Sheetal Sharma’s costumes are glamorous. Aejaz Gulab’s action is minimal but entertaining. yFX’s VFX is classy. Devendra Murdeshwar, Rohit Makwana’s editing is satisfactory.

Saiyaara Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, SAIYAARA is a stirring musical saga elevated by Mohit Suri’s deft direction, heartfelt romance, chart-topping music, and stellar lead performances. It strikes a perfect chord between emotion and spectacle, ensuring a captivating cinematic experience.  At the box office, it’s poised for an unexpectedly massive opening, with every chance to rank among the year’s biggest blockbusters.

Star Cast: Shubhangi Dutt, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi

Director: Anupam Kher

Tanvi The Great Movie Review Synopsis:
TANVI THE GREAT is the story of an extraordinary person. Tanvi Raina (Shubhangi Dutt) is a 21-year-old autistic girl who lives in Delhi with her mother, Vidya Raina (Pallavi Joshi), a globally renowned autism expert. Tanvi’s father, Captain Samar Raina (Karan Tacker), was a soldier who died 14 years ago while he was on his way to Siachen. Vidya has to go to New York, USA, for 9 months for a special project related to her field. She asks her father-in-law, Retd Colonel Pratap Raina (Anupam Kher), to take care of Tanvi in his absence. Pratap agrees. Tanvi is dropped off at his residence in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand. Pratap is used to staying alone and hence, his peace is shattered by Tanvi’s presence. He also struggles to handle her behaviour. Tanvi is happy to be in Lansdowne and enjoys learning music under the guidance of Raza Saab (Boman Irani). At Pratap’s house, she learns more about her father and how it was his dream to salute the Indian flag at Siachen. This motivates Tanvi to fulfill her father’s dream. She decides to join the army. Pratap stops her from doing so, knowing fully that the army doesn’t employ autistic people. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Tanvi The Great Movie Story Review:
Anupam Kher and Abhishek Dixit’s story is novel. Anupam Kher, Ankur Suman and Abhishek Dixit’s screenplay doesn’t leave the desired impact as it’s impractical and difficult to digest. Anupam Kher, Ankur Suman and Abhishek Dixit’s dialogues are fine but a few one-liners are tacky.

Anupam Kher’s direction is okay. He has mounted the film very well and also makes an important comment about autistic people. The intention is pure and it shows. It is also clear that a lot of research has gone into writing the film. Some scenes are lovely, like Samar’s accident sequence, Tanvi meeting Pratap for the first time, Tanvi’s meeting with Major Srinivas (Arvind Swami), etc.

On the flipside, the direction leaves a lot to be desired. The cinematic liberties go to another level once Tanvi joins the army training. The songs add to the length needlessly and a few characters, played by prominent actors, don’t get the desired due. The climax was supposed to induce goosebumps, but that doesn’t happen as it’s far-fetched. The tacky VFX further ruins the experience. Tanvi’s intention to join the army might also not be accepted by the viewers. In fact, the SSB selection scene and Siachen sequence give a feeling of MY NAME IS KHAN meeting 12TH FAIL.

Tanvi The Great | Official Trailer | Anupam Kher | Shubhangi | MM Keeravaani

Tanvi The Great Movie Review Performances:
Shubhangi Dutt gives a wonderful performance and shows a lot of promise. However, the condition of Tanvi is inconsistent. In some scenes, she appears normal. But it’s the fault of the makers here, as she has delivered according to what was instructed to her. Anupam Kher the actor shines as always. Pallavi Joshi is lovely and deserves to be seen more. Karan Tacker is adorable in a cameo. Boman Irani is let down by the writing. Jackie Shroff (Brigadier Joshi), Arvind Swami (Major Srinivas), Nasser (Brigadier K N Rao) and Ashish Kaushik (Dogra; Srinivas’s associate) leave a mark. Iain Glen (Michael Simmons) is just okay. Gautam Ahuja (Mukund) hams.

Tanvi The Great movie music and other technical aspects:
M M Keeravani’s music doesn’t follow the present-day trend and that way, it stands out. But the songs won’t have a long shelf life. The theme music is soothing. ‘Mann Chala Manwa’ is soulful. ‘Oh Mere Mann Mohana’ is a fine song but it is forced. Same goes for ‘Sena Ki Jai’. M M Keeravani’s background score is exhilarating.

Keiko Nakahara’s cinematography is superior. Urvi Ashar Kakkar’s production design is classy. Rohit Chaturvedi’s costumes are realistic. VFX is poor. Tushar Parekh’s editing could have been crisper.

Tanvi The Great Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, TANVI THE GREAT is a heartfelt and well-intentioned film with moments that shine. While the writing and length pose challenges, and the second half loses some momentum, its sincerity is evident. At the box office, it enters a competitive space, but with the right word of mouth, it still has the potential to find its own audience.

Star Cast: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon, Billy Campbell, Joshua Orpin

Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson

I Know What You Did Last Summer Movie Review Synopsis:
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER is the story of a group of friends and a murder. On the 4th of July, Danica Richards (Madelyn Cline) gets engaged to Teddy Spencer (Tyriq Withers). Their old friends, Ava (Chase Sui Wonders) and Milo (Jonah Hauer-King) arrive in their hometown, Southport, on this happy occasion. They decide to go to a secluded beach to watch the fireworks. They bump into another old friend, Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon), and she also joins them. On the way, they unintentionally cause an accident, leading to the death of a car driver. The friends are divided over the next course of action. Ava and Stevie want to call the cops, but the rest of them realize that if they do so, they can get arrested, affecting their careers. Teddy’s father Giant Spencer (Billy Campbell) is a big shot in Southport and he ensures the case is dismissed as that of a road accident. One year has passed. Ava and Milo return to Southport for Danica’s wedding to Wyatt (Joshua Orpin) after she breaks up with Teddy. During the wedding celebrations, Danica gets a letter simply stating ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’. It scares her, Ava, Milo and Teddy. Soon, dead bodies start piling up and moreover, they also learn that a similar spate of killings took place in the town before. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

I Know What You Did Last Summer Movie Story Review:
Leah McKendrick and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s story is intended to take the franchise forward with a dash of nostalgia. Sam Lansky and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s screenplay is weak and full of loose ends. The dialogues are okay.

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s direction is not good. To give credit where it’s due, the way Southport is depicted is impressive. A lot of changes have occurred here after the town suffered negativity due to the 1997 killings. This bit is intriguing and also realistic. Some jump scares are also frightening while the suspense is unexpected.

On the flipside, the terror level this time is very low, compared to the first two films. The character of Danica is shown to be dumb and instead of amusing viewers, it’ll irritate them. The goings-on are not convincing at all. Agreed that Grant downplays the deaths since he doesn’t want the town to get a bad reputation. But at the same time, his son’s life is also in danger. Yet, he doesn’t take precautions. The 1997 version was believable as CCTV cameras were barely present on the streets. Now, the situation has changed and it shouldn’t have been difficult for cops to track the killer. Also, it is laughable that Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) had CCTV cameras and even motion sensor detectors around her house. But no such security systems were present in Teddy’s palatial residence. The climax is another downer. Ideally, the film should have ended with the boat scene. The extended finale spoils not just the film but also the series.

I Know What You Did Last Summer Movie Review Performances:
Madelyn Cline is quite over the top. Chase Sui Wonders has the maximum screen time and she performs ably. Tyriq Withers and Jonah Hauer-King deliver fine performances. Sarah Pidgeon leaves a mark. Billy Campbell and Joshua Orpin are okay. Jennifer Love Hewitt is superb while Freddie Prinze Jr (Ray) is decent but is let down by the writing.

I Know What You Did Last Summer movie music and other technical aspects:
Chanda Dancy’s music is in sync with the feel of the film. Elisha Christian’s cinematography is neat. Action is gory. Courtney Andujar and Hillary Andujar’s production design is authentic. Mari-An Ceo’s costumes are glamorous. Saira Haider’s editing is passable.

I Know What You Did Last Summer Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER fails to impress due to a weak script and disappointing climax. At the box office, it will prove to be a damp squib, despite the popularity of the series.

Star Cast: Rihanna, J P Karliak, Natasha Lyonne, Nick Offerman, James Corden

Director: Chris Miller 

Smurfs Movie Review Synopsis:
SMURFS is the story of a group of mysterious creatures on a mission. Everyone is happy in the Smurf Village and making merry, except No Name Smurf (James Corden). Everyone has been named according to their skills and profession. But No Name doesn’t have either of the two and has been left without a name. This distresses him. One day, he discovers magical powers. He announces it to the villagers, who are delighted with the development. Suddenly, Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is kidnapped by the evil Razamel (J P Karliak). Razamel is looking for a magical book and he’s sure that Papa Smurf has it or knows its whereabouts. Papa, however, refuses to disclose the information. Meanwhile, No Name along with Smurfette (Rihanna) and other Smurfs, travel to the real world. They reach Paris, where they meet Papa’s brother Ken (Nick Offerman). He also joins them to find Papa. The Smurfs don’t just get help from Ken but also valuable information about their lineage and the magic book. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Smurfs Movie Story Review:
Pam Brady’s story is promising. Pam Brady’s screenplay falters after a point. The dialogues try to add to the humour.

Chris Miller’s direction is okay. On the positive side, the film starts on an entertaining note. The intro of the characters, especially the quirky ones, raise laughs. The conflict is also intriguing and the madness continues once the Smurfs reach Paris.

In the second half, the film drops. The Disney-style songs seem forced. The character arc of No Name should have been exhilarating but the desired impact is just not made. In fact, the humour also gets limited after a point. There have been many films in this space and have been far better; this aspect will also affect the response of the public. 

Smurfs Movie Review Performances:
Speaking of the voiceovers, Rihanna is the biggest draw of the film and she does an impressive job. J P Karliak comes next and he’s praiseworthy since he has voiced not just Razamel but also Gargamel. Natasha Lyonne (Mama Poot) gets the quirk right. Nick Offerman and James Corden come next, followed by Dan Levy (Joel; Razamel’s henchmen) and Sandra Oh (Moxie Smurf). 

Smurfs movie music and other technical aspects:
Henry Jackman’s music is enticing. ‘Everything Goes With Blue’ is foot-tapping. It appears at the very start and enhances interest. ‘Desi Trill’ has Punjabi lyrics and will surprise moviegoers. This song ideally should have been promoted big time. The background score is just okay.

The cinematography is appropriate. The animation is not the usual Disney/Pixar type. It is vibrant in some scenes, but it is also not as enticing. Max Boas’s production design is fine. Matt Landon’s editing is pacy but stagnates in the middle of the second half. 

Smurfs Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, SMURFS is a poorly made animated film. It has limited appeal in India, and hence, its box office prospects look bleak.

Star Cast: Shubhangi Dutt, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi

Director: Anupam Kher

Tanvi The Great Movie Review Synopsis:
TANVI THE GREAT is the story of an extraordinary person. Tanvi Raina (Shubhangi Dutt) is a 21-year-old autistic girl who lives in Delhi with her mother, Vidya Raina (Pallavi Joshi), a globally renowned autism expert. Tanvi’s father, Captain Samar Raina (Karan Tacker), was a soldier who died 14 years ago while he was on his way to Siachen. Vidya has to go to New York, USA, for 9 months for a special project related to her field. She asks her father-in-law, Retd Colonel Pratap Raina (Anupam Kher), to take care of Tanvi in his absence. Pratap agrees. Tanvi is dropped off at his residence in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand. Pratap is used to staying alone and hence, his peace is shattered by Tanvi’s presence. He also struggles to handle her behaviour. Tanvi is happy to be in Lansdowne and enjoys learning music under the guidance of Raza Saab (Boman Irani). At Pratap’s house, she learns more about her father and how it was his dream to salute the Indian flag at Siachen. This motivates Tanvi to fulfill her father’s dream. She decides to join the army. Pratap stops her from doing so, knowing fully that the army doesn’t employ autistic people. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Tanvi The Great Movie Story Review:
Anupam Kher and Abhishek Dixit’s story is novel. Anupam Kher, Ankur Suman and Abhishek Dixit’s screenplay doesn’t leave the desired impact as it’s impractical and difficult to digest. Anupam Kher, Ankur Suman and Abhishek Dixit’s dialogues are fine but a few one-liners are tacky.

Anupam Kher’s direction is okay. He has mounted the film very well and also makes an important comment about autistic people. The intention is pure and it shows. It is also clear that a lot of research has gone into writing the film. Some scenes are lovely, like Samar’s accident sequence, Tanvi meeting Pratap for the first time, Tanvi’s meeting with Major Srinivas (Arvind Swami), etc.

On the flipside, the direction leaves a lot to be desired. The cinematic liberties go to another level once Tanvi joins the army training. The songs add to the length needlessly and a few characters, played by prominent actors, don’t get the desired due. The climax was supposed to induce goosebumps, but that doesn’t happen as it’s far-fetched. The tacky VFX further ruins the experience. Tanvi’s intention to join the army might also not be accepted by the viewers. In fact, the SSB selection scene and Siachen sequence give a feeling of MY NAME IS KHAN meeting 12TH FAIL.

Tanvi The Great | Official Trailer | Anupam Kher | Shubhangi | MM Keeravaani

Tanvi The Great Movie Review Performances:
Shubhangi Dutt gives a wonderful performance and shows a lot of promise. However, the condition of Tanvi is inconsistent. In some scenes, she appears normal. But it’s the fault of the makers here, as she has delivered according to what was instructed to her. Anupam Kher the actor shines as always. Pallavi Joshi is lovely and deserves to be seen more. Karan Tacker is adorable in a cameo. Boman Irani is let down by the writing. Jackie Shroff (Brigadier Joshi), Arvind Swami (Major Srinivas), Nasser (Brigadier K N Rao) and Ashish Kaushik (Dogra; Srinivas’s associate) leave a mark. Iain Glen (Michael Simmons) is just okay. Gautam Ahuja (Mukund) hams.

Tanvi The Great movie music and other technical aspects:
M M Keeravani’s music doesn’t follow the present-day trend and that way, it stands out. But the songs won’t have a long shelf life. The theme music is soothing. ‘Mann Chala Manwa’ is soulful. ‘Oh Mere Mann Mohana’ is a fine song but it is forced. Same goes for ‘Sena Ki Jai’. M M Keeravani’s background score is exhilarating.

Keiko Nakahara’s cinematography is superior. Urvi Ashar Kakkar’s production design is classy. Rohit Chaturvedi’s costumes are realistic. VFX is poor. Tushar Parekh’s editing could have been crisper.

Tanvi The Great Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, TANVI THE GREAT is a well-intentioned flick but suffers due to writing, a weak second half and excessive length. At the box office, it will face tough competition and hence will largely go unnoticed.

Star Cast: R Madhavan, Fatima Sana Shaikh

Director: Vivek Soni

Aap Jaisa Koi Movie Review Synopsis:
AAP JAISA KOI is the story of two opposite people in love. Shrirenu Tripathi (R Madhavan) is a 42-year-old Sanskrit teacher in Jamshedpur. He lives with his brother Bhanu Tripathi (Manish Chaudhari), sister-in-law Kusum (Ayesha Raza), sister Nisha (Shriyam Bhagnani), uncle Pramod (Sanjeev Wilson) and his wife Pramila (Ritu Chaudhry Seth). He is struggling to find a match for marriage. As luck would have it, a 32-year-old Kolkata-based girl, Madhu Bose (Fatima Sana Shaikh), expresses interest. Both meet and sparks fly. Shrirenu, at first, doesn’t believe his luck and soon comes to term that Madhu indeed accepts him wholeheartedly. All is going well until one day, all hell breaks loose. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Aap Jaisa Koi Movie Story Review:
Radhika Anand’s story is progressive. Radhika Anand and Jehan Handa’s screenplay is imaginative and simple. Radhika Anand and Jehan Handa’s dialogues are one of the USPs of the film.

Vivek Soni’s direction is excellent. He tells a simple story but in a very stylish way. This is evident from the very first scene. He infuses humour in abundance to get the message across. On top of it, he gives a very dreamy look to the film. The manner in which Shrirenu is unable to believe that Madhu has shown interest in him is amusing as well as heartbreaking. Their courtship is cute while the midpoint of the film is dramatic. It’s the second half where the film gets serious and makes a hard-hitting impact. Also, many films of this genre tend to get dragging but this one moves at a fine pace with a crisp run time of just 115 minutes.

On the flipside, tracks of two characters culminate abruptly. The ‘mummy-daddy’ joke might have sounded funny on paper but doesn’t land properly. Lastly, the entire track Shrirenu asking a student to interview Madhu’s family is very difficult to digest. Wouldn’t have they told Madhu at some point about it? Moreover, no explanation is given who is Chaitali (Dipika Singh), who gives away crucial information about Madhu’s past.

Aap Jaisa Koi | Official Trailer | R Madhavan, Fatima Sana Shaikh | Netflix India

Aap Jaisa Koi Movie Review Performances:
R Madhavan slips into the part of a 42-year-old virgin effortlessly. His expressions and his awkward behaviour are just right for his character. Fatima Sana Shaikh’s look and also some of the aspects of the film might remind viewers of ROCKY AUR RANI KII PREM KAHAANI [2023] but soon, the comparisons are forgotten. Fatima brings her own touch to the character and is quite impressive. First METRO…IN DINO and now AAP JAISA KOI, the actress is on a roll. Namit Das (Deepak) is apt for the role of the sidekick. Manish Chaudhari delivers an authentic performance while Ayesha Raza makes her presence felt. Shriyam Bhagnani is memorable in the railway station scene. Sanjeev Wilson has limited screen time but leaves a mark. Shubhronil Chatterjee (Joy Mamaji) looks dashing and delivers a fine performance. Beena Banerjee (Didi Ma) is lovely. Ritu Chaudhry Seth, Anubha Fatehpuria (Anupama; Madhu’s mother), Kumar Kanchan Ghosh (Pritam Mausaji), Pubali Sanyal (Bidhisha Mausi), Ananya Chatterjee (Shona Masi) and Shashie Vermaa (Parikshit Mausaji) don’t get much scope. Karan Wahi (Namit Agarwal) is decent. Sachin Choudhary (Rakesh; student) plays an interesting character and does well.

Aap Jaisa Koi movie music and other technical aspects:
Music should pick up after the film’s release. ‘Jab Tu Sajan’ is visually stunning and kudos to the makers for thinking out of the box. ‘Mila Tujhe’ works as the theme song. ‘Dhuan Dhuan’ is okay while ‘Saare Jag Mein’ is catchy. ‘Jaadu Wali Chimki’ is also well picturized. Justin Prabhakaran’s background score is in sync with the mood of the film.

Debojeet Ray’s cinematography is lovely and the use of lights complements the visuals. Veera Kapur Ee’s costumes are simple in the case of R Madhavan and stunning in the case of Fatima Sana Shaikh. Aparna Sud’s production design has a fairy tale feel. Special mention should also go to Run Frenzy Films for the unique title design. Prashanth Ramachandran’s editing is slick.

Aap Jaisa Koi Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, AAP JAISA KOI is a simple love story told stylishly. At the same time, it also raises an important comment and hence, is bound to find takers.