Mayur Sanap
Rediff·Deccan Chronicle
Entertainment journalist at Rediff covering films.
Most Divergent Takes
- Sitaare Zameen Par (2025)4.0 vs TRM 6.6-2.6
- Judgementall Hai Kya (2019)4.0 vs TRM 6.4-2.4
- Mastiii 4 (2025)1.0 vs TRM 3.2-2.2
- Street Fighter (2026)3.0 vs TRM 5.2-2.2
- Chand Mera Dil (2026)3.0 vs TRM 5.1-2.1
Chand Mera Dil
2026 · Rediff
The film is a laboured take on romance that is confused about where it is going and what it wants to say. It only rambles in its pursuit of romance between the two young adults who seem more confused than passionate about each other, flickering like an LED bulb in an artificial sky instead of a real chand.
Bol Bol Rani
2026 · Rediff
Sai Tamhankar plays delicious contradictions of her character in an immensely watchable central performance. The film doesn't chase the next twist or the next answer around the central mystery, it is more interested in examining the psychology of the people involved in it. Even then, Bol Bol Rani remains an interesting experiment, though it ends on a whimper rather than rewarding the patience built through its intricate construction.
Vadh 2
2026 · Rediff
What works best in Vadh 2 is that the film doesn't try to be a showcase for seasoned actors like Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta. Director Sandhu keeps the film controlled and simple, letting the story take centre stage. Both actors bring their A-game to their roles and this lived-in quality makes the characters and their predicament even more convincing.
Whalefall
2026 · Rediff
If only it had held its breath a little longer and resisted the urge to explain so much, Whalefall could have been a knockout. The emotional material becomes increasingly heavy-handed, with the film pushing its father-son themes so insistently that the metaphor begins to announce itself.
Ikkis
2026 · Rediff
Ikkis rises above expectations as we see the templated material of a war hero biopic tell an important film of our times. Where Dhurandhar leaned into aggressive bloodlust through its acerbic storytelling, Ikkis moves in the opposite direction, asking us to see people beyond uniforms, slogans, or sides. War is hell may not be a new message, but it is one worth repeating and Raghavan states it powerfully here.
Ikka
2026 · Rediff
By the time Ikka reaches its overblown finale, complete with a redundant trick ending, the verdict becomes clear: Melodrama wins, logic loses. The film rarely trusts the strength of that premise, and instead of allowing courtroom arguments to generate tension organically, the film insists on hammering every point home with relentless background score.
Raja Shivaji
2026 · Rediff
Riteish Deshmukh's Shivaji may not be a flawless portrayal, but remains engaging throughout. Director Riteish Deshmukh does a solid job of laying out the many characters and their storylines in a clear and connected way. The drama builds up to a gripping extended climax that runs for nearly 30 minutes, capturing both the tension and intensity of Afzal Khan's meeting with Shivaji Maharaj.
Heart of the Beast
2026 · Rediff
Heart Of The Beast may not tell a new story, but its old-fashioned storytelling makes these familiar elements work well enough for a heartfelt drama. The biggest reason it works is the relationship between the man and his dog, with genuine warmth in their bond without tipping into sappy territory.
Toaster
2026 · Rediff
Toaster is neither a laugh-out-loud comedy nor the kind of satire you would expect from a premise like this. Rajkummar Rao's boyish charm that once felt natural now seems rehearsed, the physical quirks feel recycled, and the whole act feels stuck on repeat. By the end, this Toaster yields the result of a burnt toast. It is best left untouched.
Mardaani 3
2026 · Rediff
My biggest gripe with Mardaani 3 is that, unlike its predecessors, the social message feels oddly superficial. The film takes the easy route, sticking to a straightforward hero-versus-villain story and sacrificing nuance for spectacle.
Tu Yaa Main
2026 · Rediff
Tu Yaa Main feels rather indulgent for a survival drama. You can see where it's headed, and it just grows tiresome after a point. The all-too-gimmicky thrills barely leave a scratch.
Project Hail Mary
2026 · Rediff
Like the best crowd-pleasers, Project Hail Mary makes you laugh, it makes you weep a little, it keeps you riveted and then leaves you with a big smile by the end. At its core, Project Hail Mary is a deeply human story wrapped in a science fiction setting, featuring a very likeable Ryan Gosling in the lead.
Michael
2026 · Rediff
Michael remains a passable biopic that looks good, sounds great, and delivers the moments fans came for. But it also feels formulaic in a way that's hard to ignore. For those hoping for a more thoughtful biopic, Michael settles into a safe retelling of familiar beats, playing out more like a glossy, carefully curated Wikipedia page.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
2026 · Rediff
What The Devil Wears Prada 2 does really well is the chemistry between its characters, steered by a very likable cast. The sequel feels aware of time, of change, and within that, it actually has something to say.
Mortal Kombat II
2026 · Rediff
The violent set pieces, exaggerated villains, zany dialogue, and non-stop fan service all work in the moment. But once the credits roll, there is not much left to hold onto.
Tera Yaar Hoon Main
2026 · Rediff
Debutant Aman Indra Kumar simply has no screen presence or charisma. The film is stretched to two-and-a-half hours that throw action, romance, comedy, drama and emotion at us, hoping something sticks. Sadly, nothing does.
Bhai Tera Star Hai
2026 · Rediff
For such a likeable ensemble cast, it is almost tragic how Bhai Tera Star Hai never grows funnier. The chaos simply keeps getting louder, as the film mistakes noise for comedy. If the aim was absurd comedy, the result is simply absurd.
Ohh My Dog
2026 · Rediff
Ohh My Dog has something different to offer. As for dog lovers, this is definitely a film to catch. The emotional beats land because the film's heart is in the right place, but the plot keeps meandering for way too long and really tests your patience.
Zootopia 2
2025 · Rediff
Zootopia 2 is charming, engaging, and thoroughly fun to watch. Where Zootopia 2 truly shines is in the way it delivers its socially-conscious message, neatly weaving grown-up themes into a kid-friendly tale with a heartfelt message of 'You belong.'
Mastiii 4
2025 · Rediff
Mastiii 4 is just as offensive, random, disposable and forgettable as its predecessors. Worst of all, it isn't funny! It is a textbook example of how not to make a sex comedy, or any film, for that matter.
Sitaare Zameen Par
2025 · Rediff
By the time the film wraps up, one wishes there was more to this feel-good exercise that never reaches the dramatic heights it is aiming for. Instead of really digging deep and creating an emotionally compelling drama, Sitaare goes for easy sentimentality where the button-pushing is consistent, but the emotional pay-off is far less impactful than expected.
Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri
2025 · Rediff
Nothing about TMMTMTTM feels fresh. That includes the painfully uninspired romance between the leads, who lack both genuine chemistry as well as individual charm to make a romantic drama like this work.
120 Bahadur
2025 · Rediff
120 Bahadur is underwhelming, adding little fresh perspective and feeling like a standard war drama we have seen umpteen times before. Despite its sincerity and good intentions, the familiar treatment prevents 120 Bahadur from offering much in the way of surprise or wonder.
Raat Akeli Hai - The Bansal Murders
2025 · Rediff
Raat Akeli Hai 2 is watchable, but considering the strength of its predecessor, it could have been more engaging, with a greater sense of urgency and a sharper, cleverer story. The Bansal Murders isn't as sharp as its predecessor, but still stands as an engaging standalone film, with a murder mystery that keeps you interested throughout.
War 2
2025 · Rediff
War 2 offers you exactly what you'd expect from a mass entertainer: some escapist fun, truly knockout action scenes, and overall, a good time at the movies. There's no better theatrical experience when a well-made masala film delivers on its promises.
Maa
2025 · Rediff
What keeps the momentum going is Kajol's fully committed performance that elevates this generic material to a surprising degree of watchability. The experiment of blending mythological lore with thrills and chills is definitely interesting, but Maa delivers only flimsy shock and awe without the backing of a strong script.
Fighter
2024 · Rediff
F1: The Movie is definitely a fun time at the movies and deserves a big screen experience. The film has you locked-in throughout as it takes you on a high-speed ride. Instead of fighter jets, we have a spectacle of Formula 1 racing cars that feels just as epic in scope for an incredibly stylish and exhilarating film.
Chhapaak
2020 · Deccan Chronicle
In spite of its flaws, however, Gulzar keeps her firm hold on the subject while the richly expressive performance of Padukone combines to make this film an essential watch. In the end, 'Chhapaak' may fall short to an incredible experience, but it will certainly leave you agitated, more aware and strangely hopeful.
Sumo Didi
2026 · Rediff · Oct 2026
There is a heartbreaking sincerity in the way Sumo Didi presents its protagonist and her story of courage. But there's a fine line between a sincere underdog story and a banal one, and the film never quite finds it. Sumo Didi sticks to this familiar template so closely that even its feel-good moments begin to feel tiresome.
Clayface
2026 · Rediff · Oct 2026
There are enough queasy thrills in Clayface to keep horror fans happy. It's gross. It's gory. But it is also a whole lot of fun.
Little Thomas
2026 · Rediff · Oct 2026
Little Thomas may have its heart in the right place, but its storytelling never quite catches up with its intentions. The direction leans heavily on cuteness without building enough emotional depth beneath it, and the film remains so busy trying to make things cute and lightweight that it forgets to make the emotional journey convincing.
Street Fighter
2026 · Rediff · Oct 2026
What starts off as a promise of an entertaining fantasy adventure turns into a parade of incredibly generic and cliché-ridden action slop that never delivers any fun. The fights should be the main attraction in a film like this. Instead, the set pieces feel like something the film needs to get through before moving on to the next plot point.
Pooja Meri Jaan
2026 · Rediff · Oct 2026
Pooja Meri Jaan is well-intentioned, if not particularly brave. The drama sometimes gets heavy-handed, but makes the point clear that any conversation around consent must begin with taking a 'no' seriously. That's a message worth reiterating.
Digger
2026 · Rediff · Oct 2026
Tom Cruise lets go of the suave, sexy image and embraces the gloriously unsexy with supreme confidence, making this truly impossible mission utterly possible. Flaws and all, Digger is a film that refuses to play it safe. At a time when big-screen entertainment is becoming increasingly formulaic, the film works as a gloriously bonkers reminder that cinema can still surprise you.
Vibe
2026 · Rediff · Sep 2026
Despite occasional bursts of spunky comedy, the madness simply doesn't land as expected, and the overall vibe feels off with Vibe. By the climax, Vibe feels like several films fighting for screen space, eventually turning into a ridiculous mix of genres that delivers only patchy comedy.
Adkitta
2026 · Rediff · Sep 2026
Writer-director Ashutosh Parandkar takes a fairly familiar modern-marriage problem and gives it an interesting emotional angle. Sakhi Gokhale is the real surprise, who gives her most mature performance yet. The film refuses to tell you whom to blame, as they remain three individuals simply negotiating a situation.
Mirzapur: The Movie
2026 · Rediff · Sep 2026
Mirzapur: The Movie takes the familiar madness of the series, brings back all the key players, puts them on a much bigger canvas, and gives it a big screen swagger. The cast, once again, remains the biggest reason to invest in the world of Mirzapur, and the climax is terrific and gives the drama the payoff it needs.
The End of Oak Street
2026 · Rediff · Aug 2026
Suspend disbelief, grab some popcorn and enjoy the chaos. The End of Oak Street becomes much more fun that way. It becomes this fun romp that entertains you, shocks you and, at times, genuinely scares you.
Baramulla
2025 · Rediff · Nov 2025
The supernatural-mystery stuff is well balanced with Baramulla's more grounded, socially realistic elements, making it one of the most unique and creatively well-realised Hindi films seen in a long time. While the final reveal plays too safe and it can be hit-or-miss for some, the journey leading there is so engaging that it's hard not to admire the film as a whole.
Inspector Zende
2025 · Rediff · Sep 2025
Inspector Zende had the potential to be genuinely entertaining. Instead, it settles for formulaic fun, making it a largely forgettable watch.
Fateh
2025 · Rediff · Jan 2025
Dark, disturbing and full of gore, Fateh is gung-ho in its efforts to make this stylised action yarn as brutal as possible. But if you strip all that away, Sood's action romp is a pretty basic genre film.
Srikanth
2024 · Rediff · May 2024
Rajkummar Rao does the best with what he is given and he ably elevates the generic story-telling. Yet, Srikanth fails to soar because of the all too-familiar conventions of a standard biopic. Too bad that his performance remains the only takeaway from such an inspiring real-life story.
Madgaon Express
2024 · Rediff · Mar 2024
Madgaon Express understands that its charm lies in its inherent silliness and then works around as pure unadulterated entertainment, which makes it imminently watchable. Overall, Madgaon Express is an entertaining ride that is filled with light-hearted banter and a healthy dose of laughter.
Tiger Nageswara Rao
2023 · Rediff · Oct 2023
Despite Ravi Teja's relentless energy, the drama is bogged down by tedious emotional beats. In its final stretch, when the film wants you to be moved, you only feel exasperated.
The Vaccine War
2023 · Rediff · Sep 2023
Overall, The Vaccine War is watchable if you can get over its excesses in some parts. Sure, the film leans towards stoking nationalistic fervour, but that shouldn't stop you from watching a film that is solemn about the Indian scientific community's achievement.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
2023 · Rediff · Jul 2023
Despite some of its rough edges, Rocky Aur Rani delivers a king-sized entertainer that blends old charm with the newness of fresh ideas. It is a win for Karan Johar whose conviction works big time to satisfying results.
Bala
2019 · Deccan Chronicle · Nov 2019
'Bala' is one crowd pleasing, feel good movie that starts off with a laugh, and ends on a heartwarming note. It is sometimes crude, sometimes predictable, but the film has a likable cast and delivers some poignant messages about self-love, acceptance, companionship and of course, bald is beautiful.
Dream Girl
2019 · Deccan Chronicle · Sep 2019
Ayushmann flexes his comedic muscles in fun-filled entertainer...The film doesn't go in depth of characters, it just simply lets Ayushmann be a goof. As a concept, this is over the top hilarious.
Mission Mangal
2019 · Deccan Chronicle · Aug 2019
'Mission Mangal' is well worth your time. It is educational, but entertaining. Positive without preachy. And family friendly in a genuine way.
Judgementall Hai Kya
2019 · Deccan Chronicle · Jul 2019
The film plays out as psychological thriller with many twists and turns, but these twists are more abysmal than real shockers.
The Lion King
2019 · Deccan Chronicle · Jul 2019
While it is visually pleasing, director Jon Favreau's all-new adaption does not carry near as much weight as the original classic.
Super 30
2019 · Deccan Chronicle · Jul 2019
'Super 30' makes you smile, it will also break your heart, it will make your spirit soar, and if you have no math inclinations, it will inspire you and make you appreciate its beauty, its usefulness and contribution to the world. And it also reminds us that without films so many inspiring stories of unsung heroes would go unnoticed.
Toy Story 4
2019 · Deccan Chronicle · Jul 2019
It is a hilarious and heartfelt adventure that carries on the legacy of its original trilogy.
Article 15
2019 · Deccan Chronicle · Jun 2019
A topical, intelligent and compelling affair...Director Anubhav Sinha gives a meticulously composed thriller, which establishes tense atmosphere and keeps the viewer engaged throughout.