Janani K.
India Today
Most Divergent Takes
- Magudam (2026)2.0 vs TRM 4.4-2.4
- Thangalaan (2024)4.0 vs TRM 6.2-2.2
- Blast (2026)4.0 vs TRM 6.0-2.0
- KGF Chapter 2 (2022)7.0 vs TRM 5.4+1.6
- Retro (2025)4.0 vs TRM 5.6-1.6
Rao Bahadur
2026 · India Today
The film, built on a theatrical setup, takes a while to warm up but leaves you with plenty of afterthoughts.
Magudam
2026 · India Today
This revenge saga has a story that feels borrowed from the 1940s. But director Vishal dusts off the dated premise and brings it into 2026 with a lousy screenplay and hideous visual effects.
Khalifa: The Ruler
2026 · India Today
Director Vysakh's Khalifa, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Neil Nitin Mukesh, is a template masala entertainer that lacks heart and conviction. The film relies heavily on Prithviraj's swag rather than a compelling story.
I, Nobody
2026 · India Today
I, Nobody could easily have been 30 minutes shorter. It overstays its welcome, and that keeps it from the greatness it clearly has the ambition for. The promise of a heist thriller with a fresh screenplay treatment is real – the stumble in the last act is what stops it from getting there.
Mandaadi
2026 · India Today
Director Mathimaran Pugazhendhi's Mandaadi, starring Soori, Suhas and Mahima Nambiar, is an interesting film centred on a sailboat race. The film tackles themes of friendship, mentorship, betrayal and second chances in life.
Idhayam Murali
2026 · India Today
The film lands its biggest laughs through cameos and comedy but struggles to deepen its relationships.
Vishwanath & Sons
2026 · India Today
Vishwanath and Sons is a wholesome film whose shortcomings don't get in the way too much. The primary cast – Suriya, Mamitha and Radikaa – makes it work, with wonderful performances that elevate the material despite the second half pulling back from being extraordinary.
Blast
2026 · India Today
Director Subash K Raj's Blast is an interesting dark thriller with promising ideas. However, the film's predictable screenplay and long runtime keep it from reaching its full potential.
Hi
2026 · India Today
Director Vishnu Edavan's Hi, starring Nayanthara and Kavin, is a harmless romantic comedy that has some delightful stretches. The film aims for low-stakes and achieves them too.
Once More
2026 · India Today
Once More is a promising debut from Vignesh Srikanth, with enough sensitivity, warmth and good performances to make it work in parts. But whenever the film gets a chance to push beyond familiar romantic-drama territory, it retreats into cliches.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit
2026 · India Today
Director Girish AD's Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is one such film — full of little moments, innocence, laughter and heart. This Onam, Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju gift us a fuzzy little film that is all heart. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit may not reinvent the romantic comedy, but it understands something more important: sometimes, a film doesn't need to be revolutionary. It just needs to make you leave the theatre feeling a little lighter.
Sardar 2
2026 · India Today
Director PS Mithran's Sardar 2, starring Karthi, SJ Suryah and Malavika Mohanan, is a predictable sequel that is engaging in parts. However, the overstretched climax drags down the film.
Gatta Kusthi 2
2026 · India Today
The film's lopsided take on gender politics and comedy that never lands make it a sequel that could have been done away with.
DC
2026 · India Today
Director Arun Matheswaran's DC is an engaging and arresting revenge thriller that dials up on violence, while embracing it. Composer Anirudh's work does its magic and stays with you long after the credits roll.
The Raja Saab
2026 · India Today
Director Maruthi's The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt and Nidhhi Agerwal, is a fantasy horror comedy that relies heavily on the lead actor. However, there's hardly anything that's redeemable in this soulless film.
Heartin
2026 · India Today
The film took a formulaic approach and could have benefited from better performances from its women.
Nooru Sami
2026 · India Today
Director Sasi's remarriage drama means well, but trips often. While the story has great potential, it has many shortcomings in terms of its presentation.
Maa Inti Bangaram
2026 · India Today
Director Nandini Reddy's Maa Inti Bangaaram, starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Gulshan Devaiah, is a female-led commercial film with great action. It is also a film that proves women can headline an action drama and do it convincingly.
Baby Girl
2026 · India Today
The film struggles to balance drama and thriller elements, ultimately failing to do justice to either genre.
Kara
2026 · India Today
Director Vignesh Raja's Kara, starring Dhanush, Mamitha Baiju and Suraj Venjaramoodu, is a film about a robber caught in a life-altering situation that pulls him back into crime. It has some solid sequences, but doesn't quite come together as a whole.
Patriot
2026 · India Today
With intelligent writing and a grounded vision, it is spy cinema done right — minor shortcomings and all.
Karuppu
2026 · India Today
Director RJ Balaji's Karuppu, starring Suriya, Trisha and himself, is a fantasy courtroom drama that exposes how corruption is deeply ingrained in the system. While the film taps into a familiar idea, it doesn't capitalise and use it to its full potential.
Ananthan Kaadu
2026 · India Today
Director Jiyen Krishnakumar's Ananthan Kaadu, starring Arya, Murali Gopy, Indrans and Vijayaraghavan, is a story about how the system never lets you win. The film has an interesting backdrop, but fails to achieve a cohesive story.
Con City
2026 · India Today
Director Harish Durairaj's Con City, starring Arjun Das, Anna Ben, Yogi Babu and Vadivukkarasi, is a film about a family that scams. While it's an interesting idea, the film gets pulled down by randomness.
Jana Nayagan
2026 · India Today
Director H Vinoth's film, starring Vijay, Mamitha Baiju and Bobby Deol, wants to be both a commercial entertainer and a TVK manifesto, and ends up doing justice to neither.
Identity
2025 · India Today
The film is engaging despite being convenient in many places.
Ponman
2025 · India Today
Director Jothish Shankar's Ponman, starring Basil Joseph, Sajin Gopu and Lijomol Jose, is a simple yet effective story of underdogs. The proceedings keep you on the edge of the seats.
Maranamass
2025 · India Today
The film has plenty of laughs, but also meanders as it progresses.
Veeran
2023 · India Today
Director ARK Saravan's Veeran is a superhero film that has many interesting ideas. However, the major shortcoming is the pacing of the film.
KGF Chapter 2
2022 · India Today
Director Prashanth Neel's KGF: Chapter 2 starring Yash, Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon is a paisa-vasool action entertainer. With several goosebumps-inducing build-up scenes, the film is a worthy sequel to KGF: Chapter 1.
RRR
2022 · India Today
RRR is a terrific film with brilliant performances and amazing set-pieces. Director SS Rajamouli's RRR is an epic war drama featuring Ram Charan and Jr NTR in lead roles, with both actors delivering career-best performances.
Pushpa: The Rise
2021 · India Today
Director Sukumar's Pushpa: The Rise starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil follows a familiar template of a gangster thriller. Allu Arjun delivers his best in this otherwise cliched film.
KGF-1
2018 · India Today
Director Prashanth Neel's KGF starring Yash is a riveting gangster drama that goes wrong in many places.
Drishyam 3
2026 · India Today · May 2026
While the film has some meaty ideas that could make for a brilliant thriller, it settles for less because of its writing.
Sarvam Maya
2025 · India Today · Dec 2025
Sarvam Maya is a wholesome film with a lot of heart. The pace of the film may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Sarvam Maya is a film that deserves to receive as much love as it gives.
Kalamkaval
2025 · India Today · Dec 2025
With exceptional performances and some delicious twists along the way, the film could have benefited from a crisper screenplay.
Kaantha
2025 · India Today · Nov 2025
Powerful performances and excellent making see the film soar, and then plummet when it becomes an investigation drama.
Aaryan
2025 · India Today · Oct 2025
While the film has an interesting premise, it falters in its execution and skewed justification for serial killings.
Dude
2025 · India Today · Oct 2025
... romantic drama about complex relationship dynamics. The film, with an important social message, is absolute fun when it is self-aware.
Idli Kadai
2025 · India Today · Oct 2025
The film has the right messaging, but melodrama and predictability weigh it down.
Madharaasi
2025 · India Today · Sep 2025
...a commercial actioner on gun culture. While the performances and action sequences win you over, the film's logical loopholes keep it a mediocre entertainer.
Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira
2025 · India Today · Aug 2025
‘Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira’ is a film that has nothing going for it. Neither Fahadh Faasil, nor Lal, nothing. And that says a lot about the film and director Althaf Salim’s work that’s gone terribly wrong.
Thalaivan Thalaivii
2025 · India Today · Jul 2025
...a noisy family drama that promotes and glorifies regressive ideas. The film ridicules divorce and people who opt for it.
3BHK
2025 · India Today · Jul 2025
...an endearing story about the struggles of a middle-class family. With heartfelt emotions and layered storytelling, the film is a mirror that reflects reality.
Maargan
2025 · India Today · Jun 2025
...a convoluted mess of a crime thriller with high ambitions. With a crisp runtime, the whodunnit relies heavily on the twists and turns.
Kuberaa
2025 · India Today · Jun 2025
...an intriguing story about power, money and justice. The crime drama grabs your attention right from the get-go, only to have a conventional ending.
Thug Life
2025 · India Today · Jun 2025
...a gangster drama with emotional beats. While the film had a great set-up pre-interval, it falls into a deep pit in the second half and there is no turning back – even for a legend like Mani Ratnam.
Retro
2025 · India Today · May 2025
...an overstuffed love story with a gangster backdrop. While the film begins on a spectacular note, it fizzles as it progresses.
Good Bad Ugly
2025 · India Today · Apr 2025
The film is indeed a fan service to Ajith from the filmmaker, but where is the story?
Test
2025 · India Today · Apr 2025
...a sports drama about a winner and a loser. The trio's star power failed to deliver an enjoyable innings.
L2: Empuraan
2025 · India Today · Mar 2025
Mounted on a grand scale, the film displays convenient writing but makes up with stunning visuals.
Dragon
2025 · India Today · Feb 2025
...a fun film that stresses the importance of education and second chances in life. The film hits the right notes, mostly.
Vidaamuyarchi
2025 · India Today · Feb 2025
... a technically sound action thriller. The film stays true to the genre without relying on star power.
Kudumbasthan
2025 · India Today · Jan 2025
...Kudumbasthan is a delightful family drama with heaps of relatable comedy. It also gives you lessons on family relationships and money.
Dominic and the Ladies' Purse
2025 · India Today · Jan 2025
...a slow-burning investigative drama. The film has great potential but doesn't translate fully.
Kadhalikka Neramillai
2025 · India Today · Jan 2025
...a modern take on relationships, marriage and parenting. The performances of the lead cast are a plus.
Daaku Maharaaj
2025 · India Today · Jan 2025
...a predictable vigilante thriller. Though clichéd, the film strikes the right notes.
Game Changer
2025 · India Today · Jan 2025
...a handbook on electoral politics. The film looks spectacular, but the story is mediocre at its best.
Marco
2024 · India Today · Jan 2025
The action choreography is brilliant in this wafer-thin story.
Pushpa 2 - The Rule
2024 · India Today · Dec 2024
While Allu Arjun's performance is a delight to watch, the story takes a backseat.
Kanguva
2024 · India Today · Nov 2024
... has great potential. However, sub-par execution and incoherent writing bog down the film.
Amaran
2024 · India Today · Oct 2024
The film is a fitting tribute to the valour and sacrifice of Major Mukund.
Lucky Baskhar
2024 · India Today · Oct 2024
With a terrific actor at core, the film comes together in the second half.
Vettaiyan
2024 · India Today · Oct 2024
...a social commentary on extrajudicial killings. Good, solid moments get overshadowed by predictability.
Meiyazhagan
2024 · India Today · Sep 2024
...the film's conflict is too wafer-thin to sustain interest for three hours.
Saripodhaa Sanivaaram
2024 · India Today · Aug 2024
Clever writing and brilliant performances are its strongest points.
Vaazhai
2024 · India Today · Aug 2024
The film explores the sufferings of daily labourers and bloodthirsty owners
Thangalaan
2024 · India Today · Aug 2024
The film is too abstract for its own good.
Raayan
2024 · India Today · Jul 2024
Dhanush donned the hat of director, actor and writer for his 50th film. The revenge thriller is riveting, but not without flaws.
Kalki 2898-AD
2024 · India Today · Jun 2024
With grand visuals and superlative performances, the film is a visual extravaganza
Maharaja
2024 · India Today · Jun 2024
...a well-intentioned film about an important topic. Convenient writing overshadows some great moments.
Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil
2024 · India Today · May 2024
...an engaging comedy drama in parts. The second half of the film feels stretched.
Star
2024 · India Today · May 2024
Elan’s story is so relatable as we would have all come across that one friend who hails from a middle-class background but wants to make it big in cinema. And it’s still so fascinating as cinema is one of the prime modes of entertainment.
Malayalee from India
2024 · India Today · May 2024
...a film that is on point with its political commentary. But, the shallow writing in the screenplay makes it a middling film.
Aavesham
2024 · India Today · Apr 2024
Director Jithu Madhavan's 'Aavesham', starring Fahadh Faasil, is a zany action comedy. With FaFa's exceptional performance and impeccable comedy timing, the film is a total winner, says our review.
The Family Star
2024 · India Today · Apr 2024
The romantic drama is uninteresting and illogical
Manjummel Boys
2024 · India Today · Feb 2024
...based on a true story that happened in Kodaikanal in 2006. The story captures the true essence of friendship with superlative performances.
Bramayugam
2024 · India Today · Feb 2024
The script is elevated by brilliant performances of the lead cast.
Eagle
2024 · India Today · Feb 2024
The film lives up to the genre, but the story doesn't
Captain Miller
2024 · India Today · Jan 2024
With terrific performances and GV Prakash's music, the film is a brilliant watch in theatres.
Ayalaan
2024 · India Today · Jan 2024
...the film suffers because of a weak screenplay