'Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos' review: Vir Das injects some fresh blood into the spy comedy genre

'Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos' review: Vir Das injects some fresh blood into the spy comedy genre

Not all the jokes in Vir Das's directorial debut land but in this age where decent comedies are hard to come by — with Bollywood in general running out of ideas — 'Happy Patel' has enough to make it a worthwhile trip to the movies

By Sajin Shrijith
'The RajaSaab' review: Did a teenager come up with this idea?

'The RajaSaab' review: Did a teenager come up with this idea?

The Prabhas and Sanjay Dutt movie is so confused about what it wants to do and when to do it that everything else — the few positive aspects — feels like a wasted effort

By Sajin Shrijith
'Ikkis' review: Sriram Raghavan's anti-war film gets its priorities straight, and is one of his best

'Ikkis' review: Sriram Raghavan's anti-war film gets its priorities straight, and is one of his best

Sriram Raghavan prioritises humanity and character depth over jingoistic spectacle. The film masterfully weaves together multiple timelines to deliver a powerful and emotional story of valour and brotherhood

By Sajin Shrijith
'Sarvam Maya' review: Nivin Pauly returns with loads of charm in this perfect holiday movie

'Sarvam Maya' review: Nivin Pauly returns with loads of charm in this perfect holiday movie

The film marks the triumphant return of Nivin Pauly to his beloved charming persona in a feel-good fantasy directed by Akhil Sathyan, who presents a heartwarming 'ghost-as-angel' story, perfect for the holiday season

By Sajin Shrijith
'Mrs Deshpande' review: Madhuri Dixit’s grey turn can’t rescue this dated crime thriller

'Mrs Deshpande' review: Madhuri Dixit’s grey turn can’t rescue this dated crime thriller

Madhuri Dixit's portrayal of a serial killer falls flat in a crime-thriller burdened by an absurd premise and weak writing. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, this remake of the French show "La Mante" struggles to generate suspense or justify its core logic

By Shubhangi Shah
'Avatar: Fire & Ash' review: One spectacular battle sequence aside, James Cameron's latest is a tiresome exercise

'Avatar: Fire & Ash' review: One spectacular battle sequence aside, James Cameron's latest is a tiresome exercise

Despite exploring family dynamics between Jake, Neytiri, their children, and a conflicted Colonel Quaritch, the drama feels forced. The new villain, Varang, lacks impact, and the film's repetitive ideas prove detrimental to the storytelling, and is ultimately a disappointing entry in the franchise

By Sajin Shrijith
'Pharma' review: Nivin Pauly returns to form in his first web series

'Pharma' review: Nivin Pauly returns to form in his first web series

The eight-episode medical whistleblower drama, directed by PR Arun, follows the complex moral journey of a medical representative through a fairly compelling non-linear narrative

By Sajin Shrijith
'Bha Bha Ba' review: Good mass entertainer spoof, weak revenge story

'Bha Bha Ba' review: Good mass entertainer spoof, weak revenge story

Dileep and Mohanlal attempt a "Naattu Naattu" but 'Bha Bha Ba' is no 'RRR'. It's more 'Good Bad Ugly' than 'Kammara Sambhavam'. However, it's Dileep's most solid work in nearly a decade

By Sajin Shrijith
‘Papa Buka’ review: This Dr Biju film bridges India and Papua New Guinea through a shared war

‘Papa Buka’ review: This Dr Biju film bridges India and Papua New Guinea through a shared war

The film, which earned an Oscar nomination, offers a meditative journey into the forgotten chapters of World War II in Papua New Guinea, connecting Indian historians with a local war veteran

By Jane Joseph
'The Great Shamsuddin Family' review: Farida Jalal leads a terrific cast in Anusha Rizvi’s comedy-drama

'The Great Shamsuddin Family' review: Farida Jalal leads a terrific cast in Anusha Rizvi’s comedy-drama

While packing in a lot, the film's stellar performances, especially from Farida Jalal and Kritika Kamra, make it an engaging and standout watch

By Shubhangi Shah
'Real Kashmir Football Club' review: Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub shines in SonyLIV's gentle underdog saga

'Real Kashmir Football Club' review: Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub shines in SonyLIV's gentle underdog saga

The show deliberately focuses on the everyday lives, dreams, and resilience of its characters, presenting a 'real' Kashmir humming with energy and hope

By Shubhangi Shah
'Jay Kelly' review: George Clooney's drama is Satyajit Ray's 'Nayak', if made by Noah Baumbach (but not as great)

'Jay Kelly' review: George Clooney's drama is Satyajit Ray's 'Nayak', if made by Noah Baumbach (but not as great)

The poignant moments are few and far between. Baumbach and Emily Mortimer's writing doesn’t allow enough time to get us acquainted with the characters to the point of getting us deeply invested in their lives

By Sajin Shrijith
‘Dhurandhar’ review: Aditya Dhar made a brilliant movie, and then dumbed it down

‘Dhurandhar’ review: Aditya Dhar made a brilliant movie, and then dumbed it down

The film's powerful core is diluted by overt jingoism, unnecessary elements, and a tendency to dumb down its message for the audience. Despite these irritants, it remains a largely engaging, albeit flawed, tribute to India's heroes

By Karthik Ravindranath
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