Star Cast: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot

Director: Marc Webb 

Snow White Movie Review Synopsis:
SNOW WHITE is the story of a princess fighting an evil Queen. Snow White (Rachel Zegler) is the daughter of a kind-hearted King (Hadley Fraser) and Queen (Lorena Andrea). The Queen dies of an illness and after some time, the King falls in love with a stunning woman (Gal Gadot). He marries her eventually. However, she turns out to be the Evil Queen. The Evil Queen sends the King away to fight a battle and he never returns. Thus, the Evil Queen takes over the charge of the kingdom and she changes certain policies. As a result, the subjects are a dejected lot. Moreover, she puts Snow White under house arrest and forces her to work as a maid. Interestingly, the Evil Queen asks her Magic Mirror daily ‘Who is the fairest one of all’. For years, the mirror always answers that the Queen is. But one day, the Magic Mirror deems Snow White the fairest of them all. The enraged Evil Queen orders her Huntsman (Ansu Kabia) to take Snow White into the forest, kill her, and bring back her heart in a jewelled box as proof. Huntsman takes her into the woods but is unable to kill her. He asks her to run away. Snow White does as asked and happens to meet seven dwarfs. She also meets Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), a thief with a heart of gold. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Snow White Movie Story Review:
SNOW WHITE is based on the fairy tale ‘Snow White’ by the Brothers Grimm and Disney’s 1937 classic SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. The plot is slightly changed though. Erin Cressida Wilson’s screenplay is engaging but could have been better and sharper. The dialogues are decent.

Marc Webb’s direction is fair. He keeps the duration in check (109 minutes) and ensures that it’s a film which can be enjoyed by the families, especially the kids. A few songs are catchy and the track of the seven dwarfs is cute. Technically, the film is also quite top-class.

On the flipside, the makers could have thrown light on a few aspects. For instance, where did the Evil Queen come from all of a sudden. The entire track of the King disappearing could have been simplified. The rebel group of Jonathan is never properly introduced and hence, viewers don’t form any association with them. The climax is convenient; one expects a grand battle but that doesn’t happen. Also, the dwarfs hardly have to do anything at this point. Lastly, the casting controversy dents the impact to some extent. 

Snow White Movie Review Performances:
Rachel Zegler plays her part with panache and especially impresses once she reaches the forest. Her persona has the ‘Good Princess’ vibe, further aiding her performance. Gal Gadot tries her best but doesn’t seem convincing as a woman who’s jealous of a young girl’s looks. Andrew Burnap disappears in the middle but manages to impress. Ansu Kabia lends able support. Hadley Fraser and Lorena Andrea are okay in cameos. From the voice cast, Jeremy Swift (Doc), Martin Klebba (Grumpy) and Andrew Barth Feldman (Dopey) stand out. 

Snow White movie music and other technical aspects:
The songs add to the interest level. A few memorable ones are ‘Heigh-Ho’, ‘Whistle While You Work’, ‘Princess Problems’ and ‘A Hand Meets A Hand’. Jeff Morrow’s background score is appropriate for the film’s theme. Mandy Walker’s cinematography is neat. The VFX is fantastic and in the scenes of animals, it’s very realistic. The costumes are regal while the production design is superior Mark Sanger and Sarah Broshar’s editing is fine but it gives viewers a feeling that some scenes were edited out. 

Snow White Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, SNOW WHITE rests on certain moments that would appeal to the families and kids. But the inconsistent writing, its release in the dull period and the controversy over its casting will prove detrimental.

Star Cast: Arka Das, Arushi Sharma, Ryanna Skye Lawson, Setara Amiri

Director: Onir, Arif Ali, Rima Das, Kabir Khan, Rahul Vohra

MY MELBOURNE consists of four stories exploring themes like LGBT, disability, gender and race. All four stories are inspired by true events.

1. Nandini (Directed by Onir)

The plot: Indraneel (Arka Das) is gay and lives with his boyfriend (Jackson Gallagher). Indraneel’s mother passes away in India. His father Mihir (Mouli Ganguly) arrives in Melbourne to be with his son and to conduct the final rites. Mihir had disowned Indraneel due to the latter’s sexual orientation. But in times of grief, they come closer, although tensions remain.

Nandini is the best short film of the lot. Gregory Francis and William Duan’s screenplay is neat and Onir’s execution is appropriate. The film moves at a slow pace but it works and the only piece of background score – the song ‘Nandini’ (by Madhurima Roy) – is haunting.

Arka Das plays the difficult part with aplomb. Mouli Ganguly is convincing as the father who’s conservative but trying to come to terms with the reality. Jackson Gallagher lends able support.

2. Jules (Directed by Arif Ali)
The plot: Sakshi (Arushi Sharma) is a newly married woman who has moved to Melbourne with her controlling husband. She works in the kitchen of a restaurant. A homeless woman, Jules (Kat Stewart), with an acidic tongue, sits outside her restaurant and Sakshi is traumatized by her. Soon, Sakshi’s marital problems compel her to grow closer to Jules.

Contrary to what the makers claim, Jules is not directed by Imtiaz Ali. He’s the creative director while Arif Ali is the director. The misleading claim was avoidable. Arif Ali, Shivangi Bhowmick and Monique Nair’s screenplay is engaging. However, the whole bit of Sakshi’s hubby getting angry over Sakshi’s picture with her male colleagues on social media is unconvincing. Sakshi is shown trying to tell her chef Leon (Jake Ryan) to remove the picture, albeit unsuccessfully. Instead, she could have simply untagged herself. Hence, the makers should have thought of a better idea to explain this rift between the couple. Arif Ali’s direction is fine but he rushes through the narrative in the end needlessly.

Arushi Sharma slips into her character effortlessly. Kat Stewart is damn good and delivers as per the requirement. Jake Ryan is fair.

3. Emma (Directed by Rima Das)
The plot: Emma (Ryanna Skye Lawson) is a talented deaf dancer in her early 20s with increasing doubts over her sense of self and her career as a professional dancer.

The concept by Samira Cox is promising. But Samira Cox and Monique Nair’s screenplay is dry and ambiguous. Rima Das’ direction is also weak. What could have been depicted neatly and concisely is told in a confusing manner. Hence, a section of moviegoers will not get a hang of things. A few scenes end and begin rather abruptly too.

Ryanna Skye Lawson delivers a good performance but is let down by the script, execution and editing. Others also do well.

4. Setara (Directed by Kabir Khan, Rahul Vohra)
The plot: Setara (Setara Amiri) has moved to Melbourne with her mother Latifa (Sepideh Falleh) and sister Asia (Ella Wilson) after the Taliban took over their country, Afghanistan. Setara is admitted to a reputed school and makes new friends. She is an aspiring cricketer and used to play back in her homeland. Latifa, however, makes it clear that Setara should give up on cricket and focus on studying while in Australia. However, her school coach (Brad Hodge) discovers her talent and insists that she join the school team.

Monique Nair and Nazifa Amir’s screenplay is okay and doesn’t do complete justice to the great idea at hand. Kabir Khan and Rahul Vohra’s direction is cinematic and they try their best to give the plot a big-screen appeal. He also focuses on how running away from one’s country can result in different kinds of traumas for different people. But this story is predictable. The cricket match is not filmed with the same finesse that Kabir directed in ’83 [2021].

Setara Amiri does very well and that it’s based on her own life adds to her performance. Sepideh Falleh and Ella Wilson lend able support. Brad Hodge is lovely.

My Melbourne Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, MY MELBOURNE rests on an interesting idea but fails to entice. At the box office, it’ll go largely unnoticed due to negligible buzz. However, it might find some audience once it releases on OTT due to the association of reputed filmmakers like Imtiaz Ali and Kabir Khan.

Star Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Inayat Verma, Nora Fatehi

Director: Remo Dsouza

Be Happy Movie Review Synopsis:
BE HAPPY is the story of a father and a daughter. Shiv Rastogi (Abhishek A Bachchan) lives in Ooty with his daughter Dhara (Inayat Verma) and father-in-law Mr Nadar (Nasser). His wife Rohini (Harleen Sethi) died in an accident and ever since, Shiv has been depressed. Dhara is passionate about dancing and wins the contest in her school. The judge at the contest is the popular dancer and dance instructor Maggie (Nora Fatehi) and she invites Dhara to join her dance academy in Mumbai. Maggie wishes to train Dhara well so that she can get shortlisted for the popular dance contest, ‘India’s Superstar Dancer’. Shiv, at first, refuses as he doesn’t take Dhara’s dance passion seriously. But Dhara remains adamant and Nadar also pushes him. Hence, he agrees. Shiv and Dhara, thus, move to Mumbai on a temporary basis. Thanks to her immense talent, Dhara becomes the top dancer at ‘India’s Superstar Dancer’. All is going well until she is asked to dance with a family member for the ‘Family Round’. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Be Happy Movie Story Review:
Remo Dsouza’s story is different from his other dance films. Tushar Hiranandani, Remo Dsouza, Kanishka Singh Deo and Chirag Garg’s screenplay is a bit weak in the first half but then leaves a mark, especially in the emotional scenes. Kanishka Singh Deo and Chirag Garg’s dialogues are witty and they sweetly bring out the banter between the father and daughter and daughter and her nana.

Remo Dsouza’s direction is simple. Like always, he peppers the film with relatable conflicts, humour, drama, music and of course, lots of dance. The characters of Dhara and Shiv are well fleshed out and the viewers will instantly get invested in their story. The trailer gives a bit too much of the story but thankfully, the makers didn’t divulge the main conflict. Hence, when it unfolds on screen, it comes as a jolt and that’s where the film gets immensely touching and moving. The finale is lovely.

Be Happy – Official Trailer | Abhishek Bachchan | Prime Video India

On the flipside, things happen very conveniently in the first half, from Dhara winning the school contest to being shortlisted for ‘India’s Superstar Dancer’. The makers probably wanted to keep the major obstacles for Dhara in the second half. Yet, there’s not much of a challenge for Dhara, except convincing her father. Viewers anyway knew that he’d agree and hence, the first half is entirely predictable. The second half is way better but even here, the narrative gets dragged. The Ganapati song will stand out individually but as part of the film, it seems forced. The film ends a bit abruptly and one wishes the makers had informed viewers what happened to the characters. Lastly, the recital of a poem during the end credits gives a very heavy feeling and it doesn’t go well with the otherwise uplifting finale.

Be Happy Movie Review Performances:
Abhishek A Bachchan, as always, puts his best foot forward and keeps his act subtle. He gets better in the second half and yet again proves why he’s a supremely talented performer. Inayat Verma is the life of the film and she dominates all the other actors in several scenes. Her dance moves are killer. Interestingly, she and Abhishek have teamed up for the second time after LUDO [2020]. Nasser is adorable. Nora Fatehi delivers an impressive performance. Harleen Sethi leaves a mark in a cameo. Johny Lever (Gopi) and Sanchit Chanana (Prem) are funny. Rupali Krishnan (Kusum; neighbour) is okay. Jay Bhanushali, Punit J Pathak, Salman Yusuff Khan, Elli AvrRam and Sonali Bendre play themselves and are fine.

Be Happy movie music and other technical aspects:
Harsh Upadhyay’s music won’t have a shelf life but is well woven into the narrative, except ‘Raja’. The ones that work are ‘Sultana’, ‘Devi Aayi’, ‘Superstar’, ‘Mere Papa’ and ‘Dream’. Harsh Upadhyay’s background score is better.

Vijay Kumar Arora’s cinematography is impressive. Rahul Shetty’s choreography is stunning. Denish Hamirani’s costumes are realistic while Jerry Dsouza’s performance costumes are flashy. Tanvi Leena Patil’s production design is appropriate. Sherwin Bernard’s editing could have been slicker.

Be Happy Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, BE HAPPY works due to the performances of Abhishek A Bachchan and Inayat Verma and the strong emotional moments in the second half.

Star Cast: John Abraham, Sadia Khateeb

Director: Shivam Nair

The Diplomat Movie Review Synopsis:
THE DIPLOMAT is the story of a man on a mission. J P (John Abraham) is the Deputy High Commissioner at the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, Pakistan. One day, a lady named Uzma Ahmed (Sadia Khateeb) arrives at the High Commission with her husband Tahir (Jagjeet Sandhu) and their family friend Basheer (Bhawani Muzamil). When they are not around, Uzma straight away runs inside and asks for help. She claims that she has been forcefully married to Tahir and wants to fly back to India. The matter is serious and hence, J P takes cognizance. He wants to help Uzma but fears that she might have some ulterior motives. He cross-checks all her claims and when he realizes she’s speaking the truth, he decides to ensure that she returns safely to their homeland. But the challenges are immense. Even if they get all the official help, the hostile elements of Pakistan can prove to be detrimental. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The Diplomat Movie Story Review:
THE DIPLOMAT is based on a true story. This incident was covered extensively by the media then but since it’s an eight-year-old incident, many might not remember it or might not know the full details of it. Hence, it makes it worthy of being told on celluloid. Ritesh Shah’s screenplay is engaging though it doesn’t come under the mass appealing zone. Ritesh Shah’s dialogues are normal yet sharp.

Shivam Nair’s direction is great. He ensures the film doesn’t get boring. He also remains truthful to the subject and to the fact that it’s a real-life incident. The complex world of diplomacy and the awkward relationship shared by India and Pakistan are depicted in a clear and simple manner. The way the protagonist navigates through the complexities and how he has established a strong network makes for an interesting watch. But what works the most is an innocent Indian woman being forcefully kept captive that too in the most hostile part of Pakistan. Her pain is depicted in a hard-hitting manner and hence, viewers get her full support. The tactics deployed by her husband and ISI raise tension levels, especially when the Indian convoy is confronted at the traffic signal. The courtroom sequence is unlike one has seen in any film as Uzma is threatened and how. The final act is nail-biting and the film ends on a clapworthy note.

On the flipside, the makers spent the first half establishing the characters and explaining how Uzma got stuck in Pakistan. This part is a bit slow. The intermission point gives a feeling that one is watching a festival film. Lastly, the makers don’t focus on Uzma’s life in India. Even her daughter is hardly shown and one doesn’t get to know much about how her folks were doing when she was stuck in Pakistan. The absence of these scenes dents the impact to an extent.

The Diplomat (Official Trailer): John Abraham | Sadia Khateeb | Shivam Nair | Bhushan Kumar

The Diplomat Movie Review Performances:
John Abraham is just fine in the first half but he delivers a riveting performance after intermission. He’s known for action and he doesn’t get to indulge in any fights here. But fans won’t have any complaints as he has his share of heroic moments. Sadia Khateeb gets into the skin of her character and delivers a fabulous performance. She deserves to be seen more. Revathy (Sushma Swaraj) is fantastic in a supporting role. Her character is crucial and the makers provide a nice homage to the late minister through her character. Jagjeet Sandhu is aptly cast. Vidhatri Bandi (Seerat; Female staffer in Indian High Commission) leaves a huge mark. Sharib Hashmi (Tiwari) is dependable as always but one wishes he had more to do. Kumud Mishra (N M Sayyed) is adorable. Ashwath Bhatt (Ma;lik; ISI officer) is decent. Bhawani Muzamil, Amitoj Mann (Paramjeet; senior official in High Commission), Vishal Vashishtha (Ayush), Darius Chinoy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs official Faraz), Suman Rana (Malaysian friend Shaheen), Jeet Raidutt (Shaheen’s husband Aamir) and Manoj Dutt (Judge Niazi) do well. Shriswara (J P’s wife) is wasted. Shaunak Duggal (J P’s son) is cute.

The Diplomat movie music and other technical aspects:
There’s only one song in the film, ‘Bharat’, and it’s fine. Ishaan Chhabra’s background score adds to the tension and drama.

Dimo Popov’s cinematography is splendid. Ravi Srivastava’s production design and Rushi Sharma, Manoshi Nath, Gunpreet Kaur Mann and Deepali Singh Raseen’s costumes are realistic. Mohammad Amin Khatib’s action is minimal. Kunal Walve’s editing is slick.

The Diplomat Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, THE DIPLOMAT is a nail-biting thriller that brings a shocking and heroic true story to life. At the box office, the film may start slow, but with strong word of mouth, it has the potential to grow and make a lasting impact.

Star Cast: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder

Director: Dan Berk, Robert Olsen

Novocaine Movie Review Synopsis:
NOVOCAINE is the story of a man who can’t feel pain. Nate (Jack Quaid) is a shy gentleman who lives alone in San Diego. He works at San Diego Trust Credit Union bank as an assistant manager and suffers from Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), which means that he can’t feel pain. Moreover, he doesn’t even have solid food with the fear that he might unknowingly bite his tongue. He’s in love with Sherry (Amber Midthunder), who works in his bank but never has the guts to ask her out. As luck would have it, Sherry begins to speak to him and they even get intimate. As a result, Nate is elated. The next day, on Christmas Eve, the bank gets burgled by three men in Santa Claus suit. The trio compel Nate to divulge the locker combination. The burglars not only rob the money but also take Sherry as hostage. Nate chases them to save the girl he loves the most. The cops arrive and Nate becomes the suspect. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Novocaine Movie Story Review:
Lars Jacobson’s story is entertaining and reminds one of MARD KO DARD NAHI HOTA [2019] and also AANKHEN [2002] to some extent. But Lars Jacobson’s screenplay is very different from the former though in both the films, the characters have the same disorder. The writing, however, gets a bit stretched in the second half. The dialogues are mildly funny.

Dan Berk and Robert Olsen’s direction is simple. The run time is 109 minutes and the pacing is just right. The characters are introduced neatly without rushing through the narrative. This part is sweet and touching. The film switches genres once the bank is robbed and from here on, the film is riddled with hilarious and action-packed scenes. The twist at the midpoint comes as a shocker. Post-interval, the scene where Nate enters a booby-trapped house stands out.

On the flipside, the film is very disturbing and is not for the faint-hearted. The action is very gory and, in the climax, the makers push the envelope in this regard unnecessarily. The film also starts to drag in the finale. Lastly, the buzz is minimal in India.

Novocaine Movie Review Performances:
Jack Quaid gets into the skin of his character. He is apt as the socially awkward person who begins to indulge in fights and murders due to the prevailing circumstances. Amber Midthunder dominates the beginning scenes and delivers a fine performance. Jacob Batalon (Roscoe) has a late entry but makes up for it with his lovely performance. Betty Gabriel (Detective Mincy) lends able support. Matt Walsh (Detective Coltraine) is nothing great. As for the antagonists, Ray Nicholson (Simon) leaves the maximum mark followed by Evan Hengst (Ben) and Conrad Kemp (Andre). Garth Collins (Zeno) and Lou Beatty Jr (Earl) are memorable.

Novocaine movie music and other technical aspects:
Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski’s music is minimal in the beginning but later, it enhances the madness. Jacques Jouffret’s cinematography is satisfactory. The same goes for Kara Lindstrom’s production design and the costumes. The action is one of the strong points of the film. A few action scenes are quite stunning and will be loved but some of the violent shots will shock and disturb viewers.

Novocaine Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, NOVOCAINE makes for a fun watch thanks to its subject and some memorable action scenes. However, the lack of awareness of the film and its extremely gory climax might prove detrimental to its box office outcome.

Star Cast: Ibrahim Ali Khan, Khushi Kapoor

Director: Shauna Gautam

Nadaaniyan Movie Review Synopsis:
NADAANIYAN is the story of two teenagers in an unusual arrangement. Pia Jaisingh (Khushi Kapoor) is a student at Falcon High School, Delhi. She is the only daughter of Neelu Jaisingh (Mahima Chaudhry) and Rajat Jaisingh (Suniel Shetty). Her best friends since childhood are Rhea (Apoorva Mukhija) and Sahira (Aaliyah Qureishi). Both are not talking to Pia as they assume that she is interested in their classmate Ayaan (Dev Agasteya), who is Sahira’s crush. To save her friendship and stop Ayaan from spreading rumours, Pia lies that she already has a boyfriend and assures them that she’ll introduce him soon. In reality, Pia doesn’t have a partner and she starts looking for one. She bumps into Arjun Mehta (Ibrahim Ali Khan), who has just joined Falcon High through a scholarship. He ticks all the boxes – he’s funny, charming, smart and very good-looking. Pia asks him to pretend to be his boyfriend. Arjun is apprehensive and Pia offers to pay him Rs. 25,000 a week to be her fake boyfriend. Arjun comes from a middle-class background; his father Sanjay (Jugal Hansraj) is a doctor while his mother Nandini (Dia Mirza) is a teacher at Falcon High. Hence, Arjun agrees. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Nadaaniyan Movie Story Review:
Riva Razdan Kapoor’s story is modern. Ishita Moitra, Riva Razdan Kapoor and Jehan Handa’s screenplay has its share of blemishes and should have been more convincing. Ishita Moitra and Jehan Handa’s dialogues are conversational and a few one-liners stand out.

Shauna Gautam’s direction is decent. She gives a youthful flavour to the film and it’ll appeal to the elite target audience of Netflix. The scenes of Pia and Arjun are cute and it will keep viewers engaged. She has also handled the picturization of the songs well especially ‘Tera Kya Karoon?’. She also keeps the duration in check (119 minutes). Moreover, there are references to films like KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI, DIL TO PAGAL HAI, KAL HO NAA HO, etc. which will be liked.

On the flipside, the writing is weak and Shauna’s direction does little to salvage it. The entire bit of Pia lying about having a boyfriend is unconvincing. Hence, the base of the story itself is shaky. On one hand, the makers show the college students, including Orry, dying to know who Pia’s boyfriend is. On the other hand, we see Pia roaming around the campus and clicking pictures with Arjun with no other person around! Knowing that she’s popular with 3 lakh followers and when she has heightened the mystery about her partner, would her fellow students and her friends not stalk her to find out the identity of the mystery man? The other major issue arises in the second half when hell breaks out in the Jaisingh family. Arjun, unaware of it, wonders why she didn’t join him in Mumbai for the championship. Agreed that Pia is going through a major crisis but she doesn’t even remember such a big event is very difficult to digest. On top of it, she goes to Rajasthan to meet a family friend and is reminded about Arjun only 24 hours later! The makers should have thought of better ways to show the rift between the lovers. Lastly, the setting in NADAANIYAN doesn’t look like that of India at all and is more on the lines of American campus drama shows and films like NEVER HAVE I EVER, TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE, etc.

Nadaaniyan | Official Trailer | Ibrahim Ali Khan, Khushi Kapoor | Netflix India

Nadaaniyan Movie Review Performances:
Ibrahim Ali Khan is a bit raw but has the spark and manages to put up a watchable act. His good looks and resemblance with Saif Ali Khan add to his performance. Khushi Kapoor has an arresting screen presence and delivers a decent performance. But she still has a long way to go. Mahima Chaudhry is just okay. Suniel Shetty is impressive but his track ends rather abruptly. Jugal Hansraj and Dia Mirza are adorable. Archana Puran Singh (Mrs Braganza) is hilarious though a few of her dialogues are absurd. Apoorva Mukhija, Aaliyah Qureishi, Dev Agasteya, Agasthya Shah (Aakash Goenka) and Nikhat Hegde (Rani Priyanjali) are okay. Barun Chanda (Dhanraj Jaisingh) has no role. Meezan Jafri (Rudra) is hardly there after a heroic entry. Orry is as usual. Riya Sen (Anahita) is horribly wasted. It’s shocking why she even accepted such a blink-and-miss part.

Nadaaniyan movie music and other technical aspects:
Sachin-Jigar’s music is of chartbuster variety. The title song is okay but ‘Ishq Mein’ stands out. ‘Tirkit Dhoom’ is the best of the lot although it begins all of a sudden. ‘Tera Kya Karoon?’ is well picturized while ‘Galatfehmi’ is passable. Tushar Lall’s background score is in sync with the film’s theme.

Anuj Samtani’s cinematography could have been better. Anaita Shroff Adajania’s costumes are very appealing. The same goes for Rahul Vijay’s costumes for Suniel Shetty. Sabrina Singh and Amrita Mahal Nakai’s production design is unreal. Vaishnavi Bhate and Sidhant Seth’s editing is functional.

Nadaaniyan Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, NADAANIYAN has its share of cute moments but suffers due to poor writing. Nevertheless, the curiosity to see Ibrahim Ali Khan in his debut film is huge and this would result in a healthy viewership.

Star Cast: Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Naomi Ackie

Director: Bong Joon Ho

Mickey 17 Movie Review Synopsis:
MICKEY 17 is the story of a man on a crazy adventure. The film is set in the future. Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) starts a macron eatery by taking a huge loan. The business fails and the lender, Darius Blank (Ian Hanmore) is behind his life and that of his business partner Timo (Steven Yeun). They decide to leave the Earth and enlist in ultra-rich businessman Kenneth Marshall’s (Mark Ruffalo) space program. Mickey unknowingly signs up for being an ‘Expandable’, which involves taking a ‘backup’ of your body and memories and getting into dangerous and fatal tasks. The idea is that even if Mickey dies, Kenneth Marshall’s team of scientists can ‘reprint’ him and once again send him on life-threatening missions. Mickey and others, including Kenneth and his wife Ylfa (Toni Collette), are flown to Nilfheim, a planet that Kenneth wants to colonize. Mickey dies 16 times on Nilfheim and while he’s on the way. Mickey 17 is one day sent outside the space shuttle in Nilfheim to catch a ‘creeper’, an animal that inhabits the planet. Kenneth’s team wants to study the animals and possibly exterminate them as they are seen as a threat. Mickey falls into a gorge full of creepers and is believed to be dead. Mickey, however, survives and goes back to the space shuttle. Meanwhile, assuming that Mickey 17 is dead, Kenneth’s team ‘prints’ his replacement, Mickey 18. Mickey 17 goes back to the shuttle and comes face to face with his clone, leading to madness. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Mickey 17 Movie Story Review:
MICKEY 17 is based on the book ‘Mickey 7’ by Edward Ashton. Bong Joon Ho’s story is one of a kind. Bong Joon Ho’s screenplay is very entertaining and engaging. Bong Joon Ho’s dialogues are normal.

Bong Joon Ho’s direction is splendid. After PARASITE [2019], he yet again explores certain social themes, while ensuring the entertainment quotient remains intact. This time, he also makes a larger political statement. In fact, certain characters are very similar to real-life personalities and it adds to the fun. The film begins on an intriguing note and then goes into a flashback. The makers spend the first hour in build-up and once Mickey 17 meets Mickey 18, the film goes to a different level. The dinner sequence also stands out.

Post-interval, the film continues its maddening journey. However, the villain track is a bit weak. He’s very dangerous and powerful but the protagonists are able to overpower him rather easily.

Mickey 17 Movie Review Performances:
Robert Pattinson steals the show. All the Mickey’s have distinct personality traits and in this regard, he comes out with flying colours. Mark Ruffalo delivers one of the finest performances of his career. He gets into the skin of his character and comes out with an act that does justice to his eccentric character. Toni Collette also lends able support to Mark and delivers an equally impressive and crazy performance. Naomi Ackie (Nasha Barridge) maintains a strong position and stands out among such compelling performances. She is very memorable in the scene where she meets both Mickeys. Anamaria Vartolomei (Kai) leaves a mark. Cameron Britton (Arkady), Patsy Ferran (Dorothy), Steven Yeun and Ian Hanmore are decent.

Mickey 17 movie music and other technical aspects:
Jung Jae-il’s music has an opera feel and fits seamlessly with the narrative. Darius Khondji’s cinematography is lovely as it avoids the grandeur shots and focuses more on the principal characters. Fiona Crombie’s production design and Catherine George’s costumes are appropriate. The action is realistic while the VFX is top-class. Yang Jin-mo’s editing is slick.

Mickey 17 Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, MICKEY 17 rests on a crazy yet highly relatable premise and is packed with outrageously hilarious moments and strong performances. The buzz in India is currently limited, but the positive word-of-mouth, a clean release window, and the fact that it’s directed by PARASITE filmmaker Bong Joon Ho should hopefully draw audiences to cinemas.

Star Cast: Sohum Shah

Director: Girish Kohli

Crazxy Movie Review Synopsis:
CRAZXY is the story of a man in danger. Dr Abhimanyu Sood (Sohum Shah) works in a Delhi hospital. He leaves for his workplace with Rs. 5 crores in his car. Suddenly, he gets a call from a mysterious man who claims that he has kidnapped his daughter Vedika (Unnati Surana). Abhimanyu, at first, assumes that it’s a prank call. But soon, reality dawns upon him. The kidnapper asks for a ransom of Rs. 5 crores for his daughter’s life. Abhimanyu gets suspicious; he wonders whether the kidnapper knows that he’s carrying Rs. 5 crores. He doubts his ex-wife Bobby (voiced by Nimisha Sajayan), especially at the instigation of his current partner (voiced by Shilpa Shukla). What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Crazxy Movie Story Review:
Girish Kohli’s story is minimal. Yet, Girish Kohli’s screenplay is gripping and keeps the viewers engaged only to go haywire in the climax. Girish Kohli’s dialogues are straight out of life.

Girish Kohli’s direction is fair as the whole film is a one-actor show for most parts. Yet, one realizes this much later. This is because, unlike many such films which are set in one location, the protagonist in CRAZXY is running around. The other actors do join him but only through audio calls and rarely through video calls. Hence, it doesn’t give an incomplete feeling. In the second half, the film goes to dizzying heights in the scene where Abhimanyu changes the tyre of his car while also dealing with a crisis at work. It is one of the most unique scenes of Bollywood and will be loved.

But in the end, the film comes crashing down. The suspense is unpredictable but it’s also silly and will not be accepted by a majority of the moviegoers. Moreover, the lack of buzz will also prove detrimental.

Crazxy Movie Review Performances:
Sohum Shah single-handedly shoulders the film and plays his role with panache. He’s exceptional in the tyre-changing scene as well as in the climax, though the latter is let down by the writing, as mentioned above. Unnati Surana leaves a mark in a small role. Speaking of the voiceovers, Tinnu Anand is the best of the lot; his voice is instantly recognizable. Nimisha Sajayan and Shilpa Shukla are equally good followed by Piyush Mishra (Dr Nilay Majumdar)

Crazxy movie music and other technical aspects:
Vishal Bhardwaj’s music is okay. ‘Paapi’ stands out while the recreations of ‘Abhimanyu Chakravyuh Mein’ and ‘Goli Maar Bheje Mein’ are impressive. Jesper Kyd’s background score is top-class and elevates impact.

Sunil Ramkrishna Borkar and Kuldeep Mamania’s cinematography gives a big-screen feel. Sheetal Duggal and Amit Waghchaure’s production design and Abhilasha Devnani’s costumes are authentic. Vicky Arora’s action is realistic. Sanyukta Kaza and Rythem Lath’s editing is satisfactory.

Crazxy Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, CRAZXY rests on Sohum Shah’s bravura performance and some engaging moments. But the film suffers big time due to the disappointing climax. The limited hype might further affect its box office prospects.

Star Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, Vineet Kumar Singh

Director: Reema Kagti

Superboys Of Malegaon Movie Review Synopsis:
SUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON is the story of friendship and filmmaking. The year is 1997. Nasir Shaikh (Adarsh Gourav) runs a video parlour in Malegaon. He prefers to show world cinema and hence, he gets limited footfall while the other theatre in the vicinity benefits by showing popular Hindi films. To attract higher footfalls, Nasir edits action scenes from different old classics creatively and presents them to the viewers. It leads to house full shows as Nasir markets it as a 4-films-in-1-ticket show. Soon, the cops, accusing Nasir of piracy, raid the parlour and damage the equipment. This is when Nasir decides to make his own film so that he can’t be blamed for pirating any film. As expected, no one believes him and he’s mocked for it. Nasir even has to let go of his girlfriend, Mallika (Riddhi Kumar), as her father gets her married to a settled chap. Before their break up, Mallika insists that he should fulfil his dream of making a film. Soon, his friends like Shafique (Shashank Arora), Farogh (Vineet Kumar Singh), Akram (Anuj Singh Duhan), Aleem (Pallav Singh) and Irfan (Saqib Ayub), join him. Realizing that Malegaon residents desire to see a comedy, he decides to make a spoof version of SHOLAY [1975]. By doing so, he gives birth to the Malegaon film industry. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Superboys Of Malegaon Movie Story Review:
Varun Grover’s story is fascinating. Varun Grover’s screenplay is engaging and peppered with funny, emotional and dramatic moments. However, the writing does have a few rough edges. Varun Grover and Shoaib Zulfi Nazeer’s dialogues are sharp.

Reema Kagti’s direction is exceptional and uncomplicated. She establishes the setting and the characters and doesn’t waste time in establishing the crux of the story. The scenes of Nasir and his team trying to make the film and convince the residents about it are amusing and give a nice déjà vu of cult Marathi film, HARISHCHANDRACHI FACTORY [2010]. The film also focuses on friendship and it is a nice ode to the previous Excel entertainers like DIL CHAHTA HAI [2001], ROCK ON [2008], ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA [2011], FUKREY series, etc. A few scenes that stand out are Nasir editing films creatively, Mallika’s father rejecting the proposal, the entry scene of Trupti (Manjari Pupala) and the premiere scene. The intermission point is memorable. The last 20 minutes are captivating while the final scene is very moving and is sure to give goosebumps to the viewers.

On the flipside, the film dips at the beginning of the second half and also, there’s a shift in the tonality of the narrative. As the story moves from 2004 and then 2010, one wonders where the film is heading. A few tracks like Trupti’s domestic issues get a raw deal and a little more time should have been devoted to it. Also, the biggest issue with the film is that its trailer doesn’t do justice to its greatness. Its posters are also dull and as a result, the excitement surrounding the film is very limited.

Superboys Of Malegaon – Official Theatrical Trailer | In Cinemas – 28th Feb | Prime Video India

Superboys Of Malegaon Movie Review Performances:
Adarsh Gourav handles the lead part with perfection. He does justice to a character who is a leader and can influence his friends. Vineet Kumar Singh, after CHHAAVA, delivers yet another powerful performance. Watch out for him during the interval point. Shashank Arora doesn’t get much scope initially but dominates the show in the second half. He takes the climax to dizzying heights with his mere expressions. Manjari Pupala leaves a mark while Muskkaan Jaferi (Shabeena) once again proves her worth. Gyanendra Tripathi (Nihal; Nasir’s brother) is decent but his character is similar to the recently-released web series, BADA NAAM KARENGE. Anuj Singh Duhan, Pallav Singh, Saqib Ayub, Sanjay Dadich (Siraj), Abhinav Grover (Raju; tea seller) and Yash Yogendra (Asif Albela) lend able support. Dhananjay Kapoor (Nashik doctor) and Jagdish Rajpurohit (Sunny Talreja; producer) are fair.

Superboys Of Malegaon movie music and other technical aspects:
Sachin-Jigar’s music is poor. The sole song ‘Bande’ is forgettable. But Sachin-Jigar’s background score is very catchy and creative.

Swapnil S Sonawane’s cinematography is superior. Bhawna Sharma’s costumes are realistic. Sally White’s production design is impressive, especially the set of Prince Video Parlour and its changing décor over the years. Sally’s VFX is apt for this film. Anand Subaya’s editing could have been slicker at the beginning of the second half.

Superboys Of Malegaon Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, SUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON tells an unbelievable true story and is a fine celebration of friendship and cinema. Sadly, the film has hardly made any noise due to its dull assets. Hence, it would need a strong word of mouth to attract the viewers to cinemas.

Star Cast: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce

Director: Brady Corbet

The Brutalist Movie Review Synopsis:
THE BRUTALIST is the story of a visionary architect. In 1947, László Tóth (Adrien Brody) arrives in the USA. He is a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor and also a reputed architect. But he’s a nobody in the USA and is forced to start from scratch. He has been forcibly separated by his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) at the concentration camp and he misses her dearly. In the USA, his cousin Attila (Alessandro Nivola) and his Catholic wife Audrey (Emma Laird) offer him accommodation and also a job at his furniture shop. One day, they meet Harry Lee Van Buren (Joe Alwyn) who asks them to renovate the library at their mansion as a surprise for his father, the wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce). László and Attila work hard and design a world-class library. Sadly, Harrison doesn’t like it and ousts the cousins from his estate. Attila blames László for the unexpected turn of events and kicks him out. As a result, László starts working as a coal labourer. Three years later, Harrison meets him and expresses regret over his behaviour. He offers him another job and through a common friend, also expedites the immigration of László’s wife and niece Zsófia (Raffey Cassidy). Life finally seems to be on track for László but soon, he comes across some shocking turn of events in his life. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The Brutalist Movie Story Review:
Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold’s story is intriguing. Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold’s screenplay is gripping but only in a few places. The dialogues are realistic. Sadly, in a rare instance, this Universal Studios film has no subtitles and hence, it’s a struggle to understand certain dialogues, especially the ones mouthed by Adrien Brody in his Hungarian accent.

Brady Corbet’s direction is okay. To give credit where it’s due, he uses creative filmmaking styles that impress viewers, be it the unique opening credit cards, the use of music or the final scene being presented as if it’s a footage from the bygone era. The film gives the impression that it’s based on a true story. Some scenes that stand out are Harrison ousting László for renovating his library, Harrison and László meeting after three years, László meeting Erzsébet after ages, Harry informing László that they are ‘tolerating him’ etc. The pre-climax is arresting.

On the flipside, the film has a runtime of 202 minutes. It moves at a very slow pace and tests the patience of the audience. The narrative is a bit like a docu-drama, which might not be liked by a section of the moviegoers. As mentioned above, there are no subtitles and the censor cuts further hamper the impact.

The Brutalist Movie Review Performances:
Adrien Brody delivers one of the finest performances of his career, at par with his act in THE PIANIST [2002]. He also expresses through his expressions beautifully. Felicity Jones has a late entry and then dominates the show. Guy Pearce, on the other hand, has a dramatic entry scene and later on, impresses with his subtle but impactful performance. Raffey Cassidy leaves a mark in a small role. Joe Alwyn is impressive while Alessandro Nivola, Emma Laird, Isaach de Bankolé (Gordon), Stacy Martin (Maggie; Harrison’s daughter) and Jonathan Hyde (Leslie; builder) are decent.

The Brutalist movie music and other technical aspects:
Daniel Blumberg’s music is unconventional and adds to the cinematic appeal. Lol Crawley’s cinematography gives the film a grand appeal and is also immersive in several places. Judy Becker’s production design is very impressive and it is a must as it’s a film based on architecture. Kate Forbes’ costumes are realistic. Dávid Jancsó’s editing is slow.

The Brutalist Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, despite boasting powerhouse performances from Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce – each delivering award-worthy performances – THE BRUTALIST struggles to hold the Indian audience’s interest. While its 10 Oscar nominations have garnered global attention, the film’s sluggish narrative, lack of subtitles, excessive 202-minute runtime and censor cuts significantly dilute the experience.

Star Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Edward Norton

Director: James Mangold 

A Complete Unknown Movie Review Synopsis:
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is the story of a man who changed the face of music. The year is 1961. Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) arrives in a New York hospital to meet his music idol, Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), who’s suffering from a terminal illness. At the hospital, Bob also bumps into fellow musician, Pete Seeger (Edward Norton). Pete is charmed by Bob’s music and offers to accommodate him for the night. Both get close and Pete introduces him to New York City’s folk scene. Albert Grossman (Dan Fogler) loves his performance and becomes his manager. As a result, his career takes off. He begins dating a girl named Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning) and also simultaneously has an affair with a musician, Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). Soon, his ego, aloof nature and his quest to hide his origins cause cracks in his inter-personal relationships. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

A Complete Unknown Movie Story Review:
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is based on the book ‘Dylan Goes Electric!’ by Elijah Wald. The story is interesting as not many would know about the life of Bob Dylan. James Mangold and Jay Cocks’ screenplay is a mixed bag. It’s captivating for most parts but it’s also stretched at several places. The dialogues are fine.

James Mangold’s direction is decent. The protagonist is well fleshed out and to see his life journey is fascinating. The best part of the enterprise is the songs and the compelled performances add to the impact. A few scenes that stand out are Bob’s first meeting with Woody and Pete, Pete’s court hearing, Sylvie’s argument with Bob before her Europe trip, Bob performing ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ in his house, Bob meeting Bob Neuwirth (Will Harrison) in the elevator etc. The last 20-25 minutes are arresting.

On the flipside, the film is too long and a few scenes are repetitive. The periphery characters don’t get their due and their equation with Bob doesn’t get established neatly. Moreover, it follows a predictable pattern of other musical biopics like BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY [2018], ELVIS [2022] etc. 

A Complete Unknown Movie Review Performances:
Timothée Chalamet delivers a true-blue Oscar-worthy performance. He works hard on his accent and body language and yet, manages to make it look natural. He has also sung the songs and it elevates the impact. Monica Barbaro too does well with her act and singing. Edward Norton is dependable as always and all three of them deserve the Oscar nominations. Elle Fanning leaves a mark. Scoot McNairy plays a difficult part with conviction. Dan Fogler, Will Harrison, Boyd Holbrook and Eriko Hatsune (Toshi; Pete’s wife) lend able support. 

A Complete Unknown movie music and other technical aspects:
The songs are one of the USPs of the film. A few tracks that are memorable are ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’, ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’, ‘Song To Woody’, ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ etc. The background score is appropriate.

Phedon Papamichael’s cinematography is praiseworthy. François Audouy’s production design brings alive the bygone era. Arianne Phillips’ costumes are authentic. Andrew Buckland and Scott Morris’ editing is weak. 

A Complete Unknown Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is an overlong and sluggish affair that struggles to maintain momentum. However, Timothée Chalamet’s powerful performance holds the narrative together to a great extent. Releasing during Oscar week, the film might see a slight boost in footfalls from Monday, if it manages to clinch a couple of awards.

Star Cast: Ashutosh Rana, Sheeba Chaddha, Pavail Gulati, Isha Talwar

Director: Seemaa Desai

Kaushaljis VS Kaushal Movie Review Synopsis:
KAUSHALJIS VS KAUSHAL is the story of a son and his parents in a precarious situation. Yug (Pavail Gulati) works in Noida in the Van Gogh Advertising company, run by Maurya (Ashish Chowdhry). His father Sahil (Ashutosh Rana) and his mother Sangita (Sheeba Chaddha) reside in Kannauj. While Sahil works in a scent factory, Sangita likes to make perfumes as a hobby. Sahil wanted to be a qawwal but never got a chance due to his responsibilities. He and Sangita often quarrel over this and every other issue under the sun. Yug returns home for Holi and sees his parents quarrelling. He blasts them and suggests a permanent solution to it. Meanwhile, Yug meets Kiara (Isha Talwar) and both fall in love. Kiara comes from a broken family and dreams of marrying a man whose parents are together. One day, Yug goes to Kannauj and learns that his parents took his suggestion seriously and have headed for a divorce! On the other hand, Kiara lands up at Kannauj to meet his ‘loving’ parents. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Kaushaljis VS Kaushal Movie Story Review:
Seemaa Desai’s story is amusing and reminds one of the ‘Ayushmann Khurrana brand of cinema’. Seemaa Desai’s screenplay is engaging and peppered with some nice emotional and funny moments. Siddharth Goel and Seemaa Desai’s dialogues are memorable.

Seemaa Desai’s direction is neat. The setting looks real and is not pretentious. The characters also seem believable. The conflict in the tale raises a lot of laughs, especially at the mid-point of the film. At the same time, the emotional moments tug at your heartstrings. A few scenes that stand out are the four members of the family on a video call, Yug’s outburst and Yug and Kiara’s meeting at the café. The scene where Yug learns about divorce is hilarious. The next scene where Kiara arrives unexpectedly also adds to the madness. In the second half, the qawwali program is memorable and also the one where Sahil asks Yug to place his hand over his head.

On the flipside, the film is very talk-heavy; fewer dialogues would have had a better impact. A few scenes like Yug not recognizing his childhood friends or foreigners enjoying Holi had no relevance to the storyline and were needlessly added. Though the makers try their best, the idea of a middle-aged couple heading for divorce in a conservative town is unconvincing as it would have led to a lot of brouhaha; this aspect wasn’t shown at all. Lastly, except for divorce, the other conflicts get resolved very easily.

Kaushaljis VS Kaushal Movie Review Performances:
Ashutosh Rana and Sheeba Chaddha steal the show. Both are equally exceptional and take the film many notches higher with their mere presence. Pavail Gulati is dashing and does justice to his part. Isha Talwar has a dazzling smile and performance-wise, she’s first rate.  Brijendra Kala (Aseem) and Grusha Kapoor (Sheela) are dependable while Deeksha Joshi (Reet; Yug’s sister) leaves a mark. Yash Chaturvedi (Chatty), Neha Panda (Yug’s office colleague) and Ashish Chowdhry are decent in small roles.

Kaushaljis VS Kaushal movie music and other technical aspects:
The songs don’t leave a mark, except ‘Man Yeh Bawra’ and the qawwali song. Saurabh Bhalerao’s background score is appropriate. Preeti Sharma’s costumes are straight out of life and stylish for Pavail Gulati and Isha Talwar. Sumitraj Mishra’s production design is authentic. Mayur Hardas’s editing could have been slicker. The 131-minute-long film should have been shorter by 10-15 minutes.

Kaushaljis VS Kaushal Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, KAUSHALJIS VS KAUSHAL is a touching saga and is meant to be watched with the whole family. The awareness of the film is very limited and hopefully, the positive word of mouth will lead to a healthy viewership.

Star Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, Bhumi Pednekar

Director: Mudassar Aziz 

Mere Husband Ki Biwi Movie Review Synopsis:
MERE HUSBAND KI BIWI is the story of a man torn between two women. Ankur Chadda (Arjun Kapoor) has got divorced from Prabhleen Kaur Dhillon (Bhumi Pednekar). He’s shattered as the dissolution of the marriage was very ugly. One day, he meets Antara Khanna (Rakul Preet Singh), his college classmate. Sparks fly between the two. Antara realizes that Ankur gets nightmares about his ugly fights with Prabhleen. Ankur tells Antara about his past and yet, Antara accepts him. All is going well until one day, he learns that Prabhleen has met with an accident. To his horror, Prabhleen is diagnosed with retrograde amnesia. She has forgotten the last five years of her life and her last memory is Ankur proposing to her. The doctor, Arun Mathur (Tiku Talsania) advises Ankur to be around her and to make sure that she doesn’t get any shock or trauma. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Mere Husband Ki Biwi Movie Story Review:
Mudassar Aziz’s story has all the trappings of a fun-filled flick. Mudassar Aziz’s screenplay is not consistent. While a few scenes are worthy, a few of them don’t entice. Mudassar Aziz’s dialogues are one of the best parts of the film.

Mudassar Aziz’s direction is simple. The characters are well-defined and the game of one upmanship between the two heroines keeps one engaged. The creative use of black and white in the flashback portion while depicting the female protagonists in colour makes for an interesting watch. A few scenes that stand out are Ricky’s (Dino Morea) entry, the proposal at Prabhleen’s place and at the mall, chaos at the Delhi airport and the dumb charades episode.

On the flipside, though the film has funny dialogues, it suffers from a lack of funny scenes. The situations give a déjà vu of SONU KE TITU KI SWEETY, DE DE PYAAR DE and even HOUSEFULL series. Some of the developments are plain silly and hence, one loses interest. Lastly, the makers show flashes of Prabhleen throwing wine at Ankur and breaking the television set. But these shots are missing during the main flashback track. It is bewildering why the makers did so as these shots were probably the reason why Ankur was getting nightmares. 

Mere Husband Ki Biwi | Official Trailer | Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, Bhumi Pednekar

Mere Husband Ki Biwi Movie Review Performances:
Arjun Kapoor puts in a sincere effort. He’s especially great in scenes where he is wooing Bhumi Pednekar and Rakul Preet Singh in the first half and his angry monologue at the bar. Rakul Preet Singh looks ravishing and puts her best foot forward. However, she’s let down in some scenes by the writing. Bhumi Pednekar owns her part. She is also apt to play this particular role. Harsh Gujral (Rehan Qureshi) raises a lot of laughs and dominates all the actors in some scenes. Dino Morea and Aditya Seal (Rajeev) leave a mark. Tiku Talsania and Mukesh Rishi (Prabhleen’s father) are hardly there but are memorable. Shakti Kapoor (Ankur’s father), Kanwaljit Singh (Antara’s father), Anita Raj (Antara’s mother) and others are okay. 

Mere Husband Ki Biwi movie music and other technical aspects:
As for the songs, ‘Gori Hai Kalaiyan’ stands out. ‘Sawariya Ji’ is like the theme of the film and is well woven into the narrative. Even ‘Channa Tu Bemisal’ is nicely utilized. ‘Ikk Vaari’ and ‘Rabba Mereya’ fail to register.

John Stewart Eduri’s background score is in sync with the theme of the film. Manoj Kumar Khatoi’s cinematography is appropriate. Rupin Suchak’s production design is rich. Eka Lakhani’s styling for Arjun Kapoor and Sanam Ratansi’s styling for the rest of the characters is praiseworthy. The lead actors look quite glamorous. Picture Post Studios’ VFX is appropriate. Ninad Khanolkar’s editing is fine. 

Mere Husband Ki Biwi Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, MERE HUSBAND KI BIWI is built on an interesting premise and is elevated by strong performances from its lead actors. While the storytelling could have been more compelling, the film still offers moments of entertainment. At the box office, positive word of mouth can help it carve its space despite competition from CHHAAVA.

Star Cast: Yami Gautam, Pratik Gandhi

Director: Rishab Seth

Dhoom Dhaam Movie Review Synopsis:
DHOOM DHAAM is the story of a newly married couple’s crazy night. Veer Poddar (Pratik Gandhi) is an Ahmedabad-based vet. His marriage is fixed to Koyal Chadha (Yami Gautam), a Mumbai-based girl. They marry in Mumbai and then check into a five-star hotel on their wedding night. Suddenly, two mysterious men, Harshvardhan Sathe (Eijaz Khan) and Sachin Bhide (Pavitra Sarkar), knock on their door and ask Veer, “Where is Charlie?”. Veer assures them that he doesn’t know anybody named Charlie. They brandish a gun and force him to confess. This is when Koyal attacks Sathe and Bhide and snatches the gun from them. The duo escapes while the goons chase them. Veer gets a series of shocks at this point. He was told that Koyal is a simple and demure girl, and he is shocked to see her badass avatar. Moreover, he has to find out who Charlie is and why these goons want to know about it from him. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Dhoom Dhaam Movie Story Review:
Aarsh Vora and Aditya Dhar’s story is fantastic. Aarsh Vora and Aditya Dhar’s screenplay does full justice to the plot, and they pepper the film with a lot of entertaining and crazy moments. Aditya Dhar’s dialogues (additional dialogues by Rishab Seth) are witty and add to the humour.

Rishab Seth’s direction is very engaging. The film’s humour comes not just from the dialogues but also the reactions of the characters and in this regard, Rishab comes out with flying colours. He gets many other aspects right as well – the characters are introduced quickly but neatly, and he packs in a lot in just 108 minutes. In an interesting scene, he establishes Charlie’s relevance very early in the film after the drama begins. One fears the plot will now stagnate with nothing much happening other than a cat-and-mouse chase. But the twist in the tale in the pre-climax further enhances interest. The scenes in between which work are Koyal going on an abusive rant, Koyal’s hard-hitting monologue, the chase sequence in the beginning, Veer treating an injured Koyal, etc. Usually, in such films, the climax is haywire but that doesn’t happen here thankfully.

On the flipside, the film is riddled with cinematic liberties and in a few places, it gets too much. Secondly, the strip club scene seems a bit out of place.

Dhoom Dhaam Movie Review Performances:
Yami Gautam delivers an entertaining performance and outshines everyone in the film. Her comic timing is spot-on. She goes over the top, as required, but also knows where to draw a fine line. She proves why she’s one of the finest actors of our times. Pratik Gandhi, as expected, is great and he ensures that his performance is different from that of another comic caper, MADGAON EXPRESS [2024]. He raises laughs with his reactions, and it works big time. Eijaz Khan is too good, and his act gets better as the film progresses. Kavin Dave (Khushwant Kapoor), Anand Potdukhe (Pradeep; who has kept the families hostage), Sanaya Pithawala (Suhana; nerdy friend), Veronika Arora (Peehu; Koyal’s younger sister) and Garima Yagnik (Kanika; Koyal’s best friend) leave a huge mark. Mukul Chadda (Sachin Ribeiro; CID), Mustafa Ahmed (Sunny; stripper), Mushtaq Khan (Watchman) and Veena Mehta (Mushtaq Khan’s wife) also do well in small roles. Pavitra Sarkar, Neelu Kohli (Nandini; Koyal’s mother), Babla Kocchar (Gulshan; Koyal’s father), Dharmesh Vyas (Vedant; Veer’s father) and Nimisha Vakharia (Suhasini; Veer’s mother) don’t get much scope. Prateik Babbar (Arya) is great in a cameo.

Dhoom Dhaam movie music and other technical aspects:
Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes’ music doesn’t work as intended, be it ‘How Are You’, ‘Haseeno’ or ‘Silsila’. But Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes’ background score is as per the film’s mood. The BGM played when Yami abuses is hilarious.

Siddharth Bharat Vasani’s cinematography is impressive. Monica Balsara’s production design is appealing. Mandeep Kaue, Divvya Gambhir and Nidhhi Gambhir’s costumes are realistic and yet glamorous. Stefan Richter and Vikram Dahiya’s action looks very authentic but is not disturbing. Studios Coolfx’s VFX is appropriate. Shivkumar V Panicker’s editing is slick.

Dhoom Dhaam Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, DHOOM DHAAM is a crazy ride that works due to the hilarious moments, crisp-and-slick narrative and entertaining performances by Yami Gautam and Pratik Gandhi. Had it been released in cinemas, might have turned out to be a surprise hit.

Star Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Rashmika Mandanna

Director: Laxman Utekar

Chhaava Movie Review Synopsis:
CHHAVA is the story of a brave hero. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj passes away in 1680. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna) and his members of the court are relieved that their biggest enemy is no more. They now dream of capturing the Deccan region. They get the shock of their life when Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (Vicky Kaushal), the brave son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, attacks Burhanpur and loots the treasury. Aurangzeb swears revenge. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj knows that Aurangzeb will retaliate and hence, makes arrangements. But unknown to him, the politics within the family also make things easier for Aurangzeb to defeat the Maharaj. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Chhaava Movie Story Review:
CHAAVA is based on the book of the same name by Shivaji Sawant. Laxman Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, and Omkar Mahajan’s story is neatly adapted into film format. Laxman Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, and Omkar Mahajan’s screenplay is engaging. It is a bit dry in the first half but gets very engaging post-interval. Rishi Virmani’s dialogues are powerful and also clap-worthy in some scenes.

Laxman Utekar’s direction is splendid. We have seen him execute mid-sized films like LUKA CHUPPI [2019], MIMI [2021] and ZARA HATKE ZARA BACHKE [2024]. This is his grandest film yet and he handles it with a pro. The focus is not just on action but also on family conflicts. It adds a nice touch to the goings-on. The entry of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is outstanding and sets the mood of the film. Aurangzeb’s Burhanpur visit is another stunning sequence. One scene that stands out in the first half is the meeting of Maharaj with Akbar (Neil Bhoopalam). Post-interval, the comeback by the Maratha army makes for an exciting watch. But the best is reserved for the pre-climax. The manner in which Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj fights the Mughal army at Sangameshwar is seen to be believed.

On the flip side, the first half is a bit lengthy and devoid of the action that one would expect from a film like this. The music score is okay. Thirdly, it becomes difficult to remember the names of the Maratha armymen. In fact, when Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj learns of the demise of someone from his army in the second half, it takes viewers a while to realize who actually died. Lastly, the climax is disturbing and not for all kinds of audience.

Chhaava | Official Trailer | Vicky Kaushal | Rashmika Mandanna | Akshaye Khanna | Dinesh Vijan | Laxman Utekar

Chhaava Movie Review Performances:
Vicky Kaushal roars with his performance like never before. He gets into skin of his character and looks very convincing when he fights hundreds of people single handedly. His dialogue delivery is also powerful. Akshaye Khanna also delivers a performance to watch out for. His cold stares enhance his act to another level. Rashmika Mandanna makes her presence felt. She has a small but important role in the film. Ashutosh Rana (Hambir Rao) is dependable as always. The same applies to Diana Penty (Zeenat). Divya Dutta (Soyrabai) is too good but sadly, has limited screen time. Vineet Kumar Singh (Kavi Kalash) is the surprise of the film while Neil Bhoopalam rocks in an extended cameo. Others also do well.

Chhaava movie music and other technical aspects:
A R Rahman’s music is okay. ‘Aaye Re Toofaan’ stands out while ‘Jaane Tu’ and ‘Zinda Rahey’ are soulful. Sadly, the songs won’t have a long shelf life. A R Rahman’s background score, however, is out of the world. Many scenes get better thanks to the BGM.

Saurabh Goswami’s cinematography is spectacular. Parvez Shaikh and Todor Lazaroy’s action is cinematic but also very disturbing. Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray’s production design and Sheetal Iqbal Sharma’s costumes are royal and well-researched. Preetisheel Singh D’souza’s prosthetics deserves special mention, especially for Akshaye Khanna. Redefine’s VFX and Manish Pradhan’s editing could have been better.

Chhaava Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, CHHAAVA is a gripping historical spectacle that not only pays a fitting tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj but also enthrals with its powerful storytelling, breathtaking battle sequences, grand visuals and stellar performances. Vicky Kaushal, in particular, delivers one of his career-best acts, while Laxman Utekar proves his versatility yet again. At the box office, the film has the potential to emerge as a strong performer, driven by its patriotic fervour, critical acclaim, and audience appreciation. A cinematic experience that deserves to be witnessed on the big screen!

Star Cast: Vardhaan Puri, Kaveri Kapur

Director: Kunal Kohli

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story Movie Review Synopsis:
BOBBY AUR RISHI KI LOVE STORY is the tale of a boy and a girl. Kaushalya Prajapati aka Bobby (Kaveri Kapur) is flying from Glasgow to Cardiff. The flight is diverted to Heathrow due to a volcanic ash cloud situation. At the airport, she bumps into Rishi (Vardhaan Puri). Rishi gets smitten by Bobby and he follows her to the railway station. Bobby gets onto a train heading to Cambridge and so does Rishi. Bobby confronts Rishi for being a creep but soon, both start talking. They explore Cambridge and fall for each other. But Bobby has just had an ugly break-up and is commitment-phobic. As a result, both go their separate ways. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story Movie Story Review:
Kunal Kohli’s story is ordinary. Kunal Kohli’s screenplay (additional screenplay by Hardik Gajjar) has its moments but falls flat, especially as the conflict is not too strong. Hardik Gajjar’s dialogues are youthful and also deep. The comic one-liners could have been funnier.

Kunal Kohli’s direction is simple. He pays homage to his earlier film HUM TUM [2004] and also the BEFORE SUNRISE series as for most parts of the film, the protagonists are walking around and talking to each other about life and love. A parallel track is also going on of the protagonists at the therapist’s clinic and it keeps one intrigued as to what must have made them take this step. The mid-point, when the lovers separate, is emotional.

On the flipside, the conflict and the entire track of the parents are not convincing and seem superficial. Moreover, there’s not much of a story and the narrative stagnates in between. There are 2 songs of similar type in the first half and it needlessly adds to the run time, even though the film is just 97 minutes long. The pre-climax is funny but the film drops in the last scene when the characters reveal why they decide to opt for therapy. It comes all of a sudden. Probably, it shows the real picture of today’s relationships but again, it could have been far more convincing.

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story | Official Trailer | Streaming 11 Feb

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story Movie Review Performances:
Vardhaan Puri delivers a confident performance. He’s naturally charming and it works well for his character. He does well in the emotional scenes too. Kaveri Kapur does great in her debut film. She’s still a bit raw in some scenes but overall, she manages to do a fine job. Her voice also adds to her appeal. Lillete Dubey (Dr Shanaya Kharody) is dependable as always. Seema Bowri (Seema; Bobby’s mother) tries too hard to be cool. Sameer Suri (Bobby’s father) and Nisha Aaliya (Riya; Bobby’s sister) are okay. Sonam Nanwani (Anjali; Rishi’s friend) makes her presence felt. Raj Zutshi (Rishi’s father) is fair.

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story movie music and other technical aspects:
The songs are catchy but might not have a huge shelf life. ‘Tappe’ stands out for its lyrics and also as it gives a déjà vu of ‘Ladki Kyun Na Jaane Kyun’ from HUM TUM. ‘Koi Koi’ comes next but is too similar to the first track and the same goes for ‘Tumse Kyun’. ‘Reminisce’ is soulful and sung beautifully by Kaveri. ‘Hoor’ is catchy.

Amar Mohile’s background is urbane and modern, just like the film. Andrew Hall’s cinematography is neat and the focus is more on the characters and not the beautiful locales. The production design is top-class while the costumes are glamorous. Sanjay Sankla and Pratul Gaikawd’s editing is slick.

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, BOBBY AUR RISHI KI LOVE STORY pays a nice homage to HUM TUM and BEFORE SUNRISE series but it falters due to the absence of a strong conflict in the narrative.

Star Cast: Junaid Khan, Khushi Kapoor

Director: Advait Chandan 

Loveyapa Movie Review Synopsis:
LOVEYAPA is the story of two lovers in an unusual situation. Gaurav Sachdeva aka Gucci (Junaid Khan) is based in Delhi and lives with his mother (Grusha Kapoor) and sister Kiran (Tanvika Parlikar). He is in a steady relationship with Bani (Khushi Kapoor). Her father is the very strict Atul Kumar Sharma (Ashutosh Rana) and one day, he catches Bani talking to Gucci. She orders her to call Gucci home the next day. Gucci expresses his wish to marry Bani. Atul puts a strange condition in front of the lovers – they should exchange each other’s phone for 24 hours. After completing this task, if they are still in love, Atul will accept the union. Or else, they will both go their separate ways. Gucci and Bani reluctantly agree as their phones consist of several secrets that can possibly lead to their break up. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Loveyapa Movie Story Review:
LOVEYAPA is the remake of the Tamil film LOVE TODAY [2022]. Pradeep Ranganathan’s story has all the trappings of a mad crazy entertainer. Pradeep Ranganathan’s screenplay (additional screenplay by Sneha Desai) works partly as the exchange of phones leads to some very funny and even confrontational situations. But the writing is riddled with several issues. Pradeep Ranganathan’s dialogues (additional dialogues by Sneha Desai) are modern and witty.

Advait Chandan’s direction is decent at best. The graphics and effects used in the narrative give the film a novel and new-age touch and also go well with the theme. On top of it, the plot is very relatable. The way the protagonists react while exchanging their phones is how most people would behave in real life. Moreover, the film raises some important points in the second half and scores on the emotional front.

On the flipside, the first half is not up to the mark. Even in the second half, the film falters as the climax is too hurried. An important track of vulgar Instagram messages is forgotten. Certain aspects, which were simplified in LOVE TODAY, are missing in LOVEYAPA. The original film clearly mentions the name of the apps but here, the characters don’t utter WhatsApp or Instagram. The interface looks similar to the real apps but at the same time, they also seem like a cheap copy. It takes away the realism. Those who are not aware of these apps or their functions might get confused. This also means that the film is meant only for the urban youth. Lastly, the use of the song ‘Leja’, which was just well utilized in the web series MISMATCHED SEASON 3 is not a good idea. 

Loveyapa – Official Trailer | Khushi Kapoor | Junaid Khan

Loveyapa Movie Review Performances:
Junaid Khan is a bit raw and doesn’t exactly look like a ‘Delhi ka launda’ though he works hard. Khushi Kapoor, too, could have been better but she handles the character better. She’s also quite nice in the emotional scenes. Ashutosh Rana, as expected, is too good and aptly cast. Grusha Kapoor leaves a huge mark. Kiku Sharda (Anupam) is very entertaining. Tanvika Parlikar and Devishi Madaan (Pinti; Bani’s sister) are fair. Nikhil Mehta (Shanky), Aaditya Kulshreshth (Lamba), Jason Tham (Bobby), Yunus Khan (Jaggi) and Yuktam Khosla (Karan) are memorable. Bhawya Chawla (Coochiepoo) is aptly cast. Kunj Aanand (Puneet; Bani’s colleague in the office) and Tripti Shankhdhar (Priya; Kiran’s friend) are okay. 

Loveyapa movie music and other technical aspects:
Songs don’t work and a film like this should have at least one hit song to create some buzz. ‘Loveyapa Ho Gaya’, nevertheless, is catchy while ‘Kaun Kinna Zaroori Si’ has soulful lyrics. ‘Rehna Kol’ is forced. Ketan Sodha, Suyyash Rai, Siddharth Singh and Viplove Rajdeo’s background score is funky.

Rajesh Nare’s cinematography is neat. Chayati Kaushik’s production design is classy while Priyanka Lahiri’s costumes are glamorous. Antara Lahiri’s editing is too quick in the end. 

Loveyapa Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, LOVEYAPA boasts an entertaining premise but falters due to weak writing. At the box office, its prospects appear dim, given the limited buzz, stiff competition from BADASS RAVI KUMAR, the impact of re-releases, and its urban-centric appeal, which may restrict its reach and prove detrimental to its collections.

Star Cast: Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry

Director: Boman Irani

The Mehta Boys Movie Review Synopsis:
THE MEHTA BOYS is the story of a father and a son. Amay (Avinash Tiwary) lives alone in a flat in Mumbai. He works in an architectural firm called Sen And Sons, owned by Saumik Sen (Siddhartha Basu). The firm is bidding to design an upcoming reputed university. Amay suffers from a lack of confidence and his colleague and also his girlfriend, Zara (Shreya Chaudhry), motivates him to excel in this project. Suddenly, Amay learns that his mother has passed away and hence, he rushes to his hometown, Navsari. He meets his sister Anu (Puja Sarup), who’s settled in the USA with her family and his father Shiv Mehta (Boman Irani). Amay and Shiv’s relationship is tricky and they attempt to mourn together. Shiv and Shivani had agreed that if one of them died, the other would shift to the USA with Anu. Shiv accepts the condition, albeit reluctantly. Shiv and Anu land in Mumbai. They are all set to take the flight to Florida when Shiv is refused boarding due to overbooking issues. Anu has to rush to her family back in the USA and she requests Amay to accommodate Shiv in his house for 48 hours. Both Amay and Shiv agree to it, though not happily. What happens next forms the rest of the story.

The Mehta Boys Movie Story Review:
Alexander Dinelaris and Boman Irani’s story is very relatable. Alexander Dinelaris and Boman Irani’s screenplay is laced with dramatic and emotional moments that keep the interest going. Alexander Dinelaris and Boman Irani’s dialogues are conversational, but they leave an impact.

Boman Irani’s direction is quite good, especially considering that this is debut directorial. He has taken up a plot that will find resonance, especially in the Indian context where the fathers and sons don’t express their love for each other openly. On top of it, the narrative goes into unexpected territories in several scenes, be it Amay learning that he didn’t wish his father on his birthday, the drama that happens after the restaurant visit etc. Technically as well, the film is quite classy.

On the flipside, the writing loses grip in the second half, especially once Shiv goes back to his hometown. The character of Anu is forgotten after a point. She is given a lot of importance in the initial portions and later, she’s not even talked about. The senior architect’s rudeness in the pre-climax comes as a surprise; this aspect should have been established better and also Amay’s lack of confidence.

The Mehta Boys – Official Trailer | Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry

The Mehta Boys Movie Review Performances:
Nevertheless, Boman Irani excels overall as a writer, producer, director and also an actor. He has played a tough father in the past in many films, but he ensures his performance in THE MEHTA BOYS doesn’t remind viewers of those past acts. He also communicates beautifully through his eyes and expressions. Avinash Tiwary also puts his best foot forward. He, too, excels in non-verbal scenes and his outburst in the car and the speech in the end prove that he’s an actor of great calibre. Shreya Chaudhry performs effortlessly. Her screen presence is very arresting. Puja Sarup leaves a tremendous mark though she’s hardly there for less than 15 minutes. Siddhartha Basu is memorable. Harssh A Singh (Sam Makhija) is great but suffers from weak characterization. Dilip Tekwani (Mukesh; waiter), Kapil Dev (Gomaji; contractor) and Manjushree Kulkarni (Kulkarni; passport officer) are okay.

The Mehta Boys movie music and other technical aspects:
Most of the songs in THE MEHTA BOYS are in the background and don’t register. Gulraj Singh’s background score is a bit too elite but works for the film. Krish Makhija’s cinematography is terrific and the way he uses the close-up shots is praiseworthy. Payal Ghose Kaul’s production design is appealing. Daena Sethna’s costumes are realistic while Charu Shree Roy’s editing is satisfactory.

The Mehta Boys Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, THE MEHTA BOYS works due to the relatability factor and the wonderful performances of Boman Irani and Avinash Tiwary.

Star Cast: Himesh Reshammiya, Prabhudheva, Kirti Kulhari, Sunny Leone, Simona J

Director: Keith Gomes

Badass Ravi Kumar Movie Review Synopsis:
BADASS RAVI KUMAR is the story of a ruthless man. The year is 1989. Ravi Kumar (Himesh Reshammiya) is a badass cop from Delhi who believes in eliminating corruption. While doing so, he takes the law into his own hands and even eliminates corrupt people. As a result, he has been suspended. Meanwhile, in Oman, Syed Bashir (Manish Wadhwa), a Pakistani top official, asks the world’s biggest power marker, Pedro (Prabhu Dheva), to help him retrieve a film camera reel. It consists of pictures of a file full of information about all the Indian secret agents, their aliases, and also details of where India has hidden its deadly missiles. Pedro starts working on it but due to circumstances, the reel is retrieved by a certain Laila (Kirti Kulhari). Laila tells Pedro that she’ll hand him the reel personally in Muscat in return for a price. Back in Delhi, Commissioner Awasthi (Saurabh Sachdeva) meets Interpol agent Mahavir Ahuja (Prashant Narayanan) and the latter informs the former about Pedro and his Indian associate, namely Jagawar (Rajesh Sharma). Jagawar needs to be arrested in a case and Awasthi recommends Ravi Kumar for the job. Mahavir is astonished by Ravi’s track record but agrees to send him unofficially to Muscat for the job. Ravi agrees, not knowing that this mission is not going to be easy. During the mission, he also comes across his ex-lover Madhubala (Simona J), who incidentally is also the sister of Laila. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Badass Ravi Kumar Movie Story Review:
Himesh Reshammiya’s story is quite ordinary. But Kushal Bakshi and Himesh Reshammiya’s screenplay is peppered with mass-appealing scenes and moments that will give the audience their money’s worth. Bunty Rathore’s dialogues are one of the pillars of the film. The one-liners will lead to whistles and hoots in cinemas.

Keith Gomes’s direction is more or less fine. There are too many characters and subplots and he tries his best to keep the narrative as simplified as possible. He also makes it very clear in the very beginning that the film is made in 80s style and that ‘logic is optional’. With that directive, the audience will have no reason to complain and will simply enjoy the crazy ride. Since one needs to keep brains aside, the makers go to insane lengths and it would be fair to say that ‘expect the unexpected’. A few scenes that stand out are Ravi Kumar’s lengthy introduction, Ravi threatening Jagawar at the court, Ravi slapping the Godman, the intermission point, Ravi with Syed in the elevator etc. The diamond robbery track is very entertaining and would be loved; it also gives a tribute to the Dharmendra-starrer SHALIMAR [1978]. The pre-climax song, too, will get a roaring response from the audience.

On the flipside, the direction is a bit haphazard. Agreed that the film should not be taken seriously. Yet, things happen all of a sudden and at random in some places and could have been avoided. The writing is weak and the makers should have thought of better ways of summing it up. Lastly, 5 or 6 songs appear back-to-back and it gets tedious.

Badass Ravi Kumar | Official Trailer | Himesh Reshammiya | In Cinemas 7th February

Badass Ravi Kumar Movie Review Performances:
Himesh Reshammiya looks dashing and performs like a pro. His screen presence is riveting and he plays to the gallery perfectly. Prabhudheva is over the top but it works for his villainous role. Kirti Kulhari looks sizzling and leaves a huge mark. Sunny Leone (Nisha) is fine in a cameo. Simona J looks pretty but doesn’t act properly. Johny Lever (Raja) and Sanjay Mishra (Rana) are okay and some of their jokes don’t land well. Anil George (Bhujang), Rajesh Sharma, Saurabh Sachdeva, Manish Wadhwa and Prashant Narayanan lend able support. Mustafa Askari (Raftaar) is aptly cast. Navneet Nishan (Ravi’s mother) and Sulbha Arya (Navneet’s grandmother) are lovely. Pavan Malhotra (Ravi’s father) is fair in a cameo. 

Badass Ravi Kumar movie music and other technical aspects:
Himesh Reshammiya’s music is peppy and enhances the film’s appeal. After a long time, there has been a film where songs play out after every 10 minutes. ‘Dil Ke Taj Mahal Meinn’ is easily the best of the lot. ‘Hookstep Hookah Bar’ comes next; its choreography is memorable. ‘Tandoori Days’ and ‘Bazaar E Ishq’ are well picturized. ‘Terre Pyaar Mein’ is forced but has a lovely melody. ‘Barsaat’, the only song from the album not composed by Himesh (music by Sanjeev – Darshan) has a nice 90s vibe. Ganesh Acharya’s choreography deserves a special mention. Himesh Reshammiya and Sanjoy Chowdhury’s background score is in sync with the film’s mood and theme.

Manoj Soni’s cinematography is grand. The locales of Oman are very well shot. Sunil Rodrigues, Stunt Sam and Deni Jordan Kjurcijev’s action is gory but appropriate for a film of this kind. Arun J Chauhan’s costumes are glamorous. Suresh Selvarajan’s production design is first-rate while Pentaverse Pvt. Ltd’s VFX is a bit tacky. In a way, it works for this film. Ram Ishwar’s editing could have been smoother.

Badass Ravi Kumar Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, BADASS RAVI KUMAR is a thoroughly entertaining flick that thrives on sheer madness – over-the-top action, an unapologetically 80s-style narrative, whistle-worthy dialogues, and the ever-dashing Himesh Reshammiya. Logic takes a backseat – it’s nowhere in sight – and nothing needs to make sense. If that’s your jam, buckle up and enjoy!

Star Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya

Director: Arati Kadav

Mrs Movie Review Synopsis:
MRS is the story of a woman’s struggle after getting married. Richa (Sanya Malhotra) lives with her parents and brother. For an arranged marriage, she meets Diwakar (Nishant Dahiya), a gynaecologist who also runs his own nursing home. Diwakar and his parents – father Ashwin Kumar (Kanwaljit Singh) and mother Meena Kumar (Aparna Ghoshal) seem respectable and kind-hearted. Richa hence agrees to marry him. Soon, things go South for Richa as she realizes that an extreme level of patriarchy is followed at her in-law’s place. Richa’s mother-in-law not only cooks the food but also takes out the chappals and clothes of her husband. The first few days are tough for Richa, but she manages as she gets help from her mother-in-law. Trouble arises when the mother-in-law goes to meet her daughter for several days. The whole responsibility of running the kitchen and keeping up with the unreasonable demands of Diwakar and his father falls on her. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Mrs Movie Story Review:
MRS is based on THE GREAT INDIAN KITCHEN [2021; written by Jeo Baby]. Anu Singh Choudhary, Harman Baweja and Arati Kadav’s story adaptation does justice to the original film’s plot. Anu Singh Choudhary, Harman Baweja and Arati Kadav’s screenplay is captivating. The writers have nicely set the story in the North. THE GREAT INDIAN KITCHEN had certain cultural references; this aspect is taken care of and hence, the film doesn’t have a ‘South remake feel’. Anu Singh Choudhary’s dialogues are simple yet sharp.

Arati Kadav’s direction is impressive. She keeps the narrative simple and the focus is on the female character and her struggles. The way she gradually realizes the truth of her in-laws makes for a great watch. The way food has been utilized in the narrative – be it to show how it got her closer to her to-be hubby to how it also led to issues between the couple – is praiseworthy. There’s no violence or bloodshed in the film and yet, some scenes are very unsettling. That the film is too real also adds to the impact of the goings-on.

On the flipside, though the film is 106 minutes long, it drags in the middle. There’s not much of a story in the film and as a result, viewers might get restless once they understand what the makers are trying to convey and would want to know what happens next. Secondly, since it’s an OTT release, a chunk of the target audience must have seen the original film. As a result, they might not be interested to see the same story again.

Mrs. | Official Trailer | A ZEE5 Original Film | Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya

Mrs Movie Review Performances:
Sanya Malhotra delivers a very convincing performance. She also carries the film firmly on her shoulders. After PAGGLAIT [2021] and KATHAL [2023], she seems apt for such lead roles and doesn’t disappoint. Nishant Dahiya is aptly cast and performs as per the character’s requirement. Kanwaljit Singh plays a role different from his set image and manages to do well. Aparna Ghoshal gets a limited scope. Nitya Moyal (Saavi; kid) is cute. Gulsita (Saavi’s mother), Varun Badola (Tunnu) and Loveleen Misra (Nirjala; Diwakar’s bua) are there for a scene but they leave a huge mark. Harshika Kewalramani (Bubbles) is okay.

Mrs movie music and other technical aspects:
The music doesn’t work and all three songs – ‘Baar Baar’, ‘Rukte Rukte Chali Re’ and ‘Spirit Of Richa’ – manage to register because of the visuals. Sagar Desai’s background score is much better. Pratham Mehta’s cinematography is lovely, especially the scenes of food. Brinda Parameswar’s choreography deserves special mention. Karishma Gulati’s costumes and Nida Khalid Shaikh’s production design are very real. Prerna Saigal’s editing could have been slicker.

Mrs Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, MRS is a faithful remake and is laced with yet another memorable performance by Sanya Malhotra.