Like with most biopics that are instead hagiographies, director Omung Kumar (Bhoomi, 2017) and his team of writers — there are three — deify the central protagonist more than any director could ever have done for Rajinikanth’s star power. Oberoi, who delivers ably and with grace and respectfulness as Modi, seems to have bagged the role of a lifetime.

The problem with the film is that it seems confused – should it be a candyfloss campus flick with hot chicks and hunky dudes or should it be a candyfloss campus flick with sports and tense moments? It ends up being neither. What remains is the candyfloss. Which, in retrospect, isn’t such a bad thing as you go for the movies to have a good time and be entertained. Student of the Year entertains but is too vanilla to have any lingering taste. In Hindi film parlance, I’d say, it’s a decent timepass film worth the popcorn. But frankly, it’s time for the students to graduate.

Karan Johar’s Message of Love in the Time of War Is a Cinematic Treat…

Luka Chuppi is an enjoyable watch that is directed at a young audience who will find it very relatable. It also subtly touches upon various relevant and timely social issues. Go for it and have a good time at the movies!

Frustrated with the interference from the Gandhis and the apparent unwillingness of Manmohan Singh to set the record straight, Baru resigns and writes his memoir, The Accidental Prime Minister (accidental as Singh never contested an election but was a Rajya Sabha member). Sales are sluggish, until the PMO denounces the book: at which point, it becomes a bestseller. Gutte should hope his film meets with the same good fortune.

Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta shine in this charming, slice-of-life film that tackles the stigma attached to the intimate lives of older people…

Stree is boring, slow and stretched. But a few fun jokes and the overall light-hearted treatment makes it a bearable watch.

Karwaan is a film that deals with dealing grief and life at large. It’s a film on existentialism. It’s a slice of life served with enough delicious toppings. Bite into it!

The film though, manages to have a light-hearted vibe and some of the scenes are genuinely funny. The music is also pretty hummable. I found myself almost dancing to Fu Bai Fu. And Acche Din by Amit Trivedi is a good spin on the famous phrase used cleverly to comment on Fanney Khan’s financial situation.

But overall Fanney Khan lacks depth or purpose.

Soorma isn’t without flaws. It gets manipulative in places. The happy banter before the gunshot scene is written to establish Sandeep as a happy-go-lucky character and ooze out more sympathy for him. The song montages against a gruelling training session is also not too original. Hindi films will have to come up with better narratives to depict grit and determination in our sports heroes!
Shad Ali finally redeems himself after the disastrous Kill (Me Gently) Dill by bringing Sandeep Singh on celluloid and sharing his inspiring story. Watch it over the weekend.