Film Review Archives

Sui Dhaaga Review: A Fine Portrait of the Emotional Labour of Small-Town Women

Sharat Katariya’s Sui Dhaaga falters in several places, but it shines when the spotlight is on its women. In a film about dignity of labour, Katariya’s mastery is most evident in parts where the focus is on the immense emotional and domestic labour every married small-town woman inevitably shoulders.

Poulomi Das July 30, 2016

Pop Culture

Why is Arjun Reddy Getting a Bollywood Remake?

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Arjun Reddy – arguably the most polarising Telugu film in recent times – is not without its problems. It has managed to sustain the attention and outrage of audiences across the country. Even in 2019, people just can’t seem to stop talking about Arjun Reddy. And that’s why we have Kabir Singh releasing tomorrow.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Bollywood

Shikara Review: An Incomplete Narrative on the Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits

In Shikara, Vidhu Vinod Chopra chooses to look at the Kashmiri Pandit exodus in isolation and not in relation with the continuous othering of the state by the governments of India and their armed forces. In that sense, not only does the film come across as visibly apolitical but also an incomplete narrative where quite a few pieces of the puzzle are missing.

Poulomi Das June 10, 2016

Bollywood

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl Review: An Unambitious Biopic of an Ambitious National Heroine

For an industry overpopulated by biopics that veer between hagiographies and celebrations of hyper-nationalism, Gunjan Saxena is a welcome respite. Yet, it sticks to expected beats, and there are few moments with any bite. Janhvi Kapoor, who has visibly improved since Dhadak, is still inconsistent.

Poulomi Das May 10, 2016

Pop Culture

Game Over Review: A Taut Thriller Single-Handedly Elevated by Taapsee Pannu

A woman’s body is both, her biggest weakness and her greatest weapon. If the world derives pleasure out of brutalising it, women respond to that assault by using their bodies as tools of resistance. Ashwin Saravanan’s Game Over thrives on this precise duality and there’s no actor who can bring this out better than the physically alert Taapsee Pannu.

Poulomi Das April 23, 2016

Bollywood

Bhoot Police Review: A Surprisingly Fun Romp with Saif Ali Khan in Top Form

Bhoot Police is anchored by a terrifically unhinged Saif Ali Khan who along with other adept performances gives us a film that though formulaic has its fair share of entertainment and memorable moments.

Manik Sharma March 30, 2016

Pop Culture

Sympathy for the Devil: Creed II’s Most Compelling Character is the Villain

The latest film in the Rocky franchise brings back Ivan Drago, its most imposing, intimidating villain, only to show a softer, more human side to his character. Had this movie been titled Drago instead of Creed, he would have made a natural protagonist.

Dushyant Shekhawat March 12, 2016

Pop Culture

Ben is Back Review: A Heartbreaking Take on the Addiction of Maternal Love

In Peter Hedges’ Ben Is Back, maternal love comes without an expiry date – just like drug addiction. The film investigates the aftermath of addiction, both as a raging epidemic and as a crushing emotion.

Poulomi Das March 5, 2016

Pop Culture

Guardians of the Comic Book Legacy

The plot of Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2 is a testament to how superhero films work better when they are real films, instead of the usual campy OTT spectacle.

Poulomi Das March 1, 2016