Puli is a fantasy but its failing is that it is told in an amateur fashion. Coming as it does, after the humongous success of Bahubali that raised the bar as far as fantasy, animation and give-it-all-you-got cinema goes, Puli disappoints. The film works as a visual extravaganza, but it fails to entertain. Even Vijay fans may find it hard to lap up his snazzy song-routine. Sridevi’s arched eyebrows are more expressive than the rest of her. Hansika and Shruti only wiggle their backsides and shake their bellies. Aah, even that’s disappointing.

HAK’s moments come from its lead cast who pitch in their best for the most part. The music is a soothing balm. Suri should know that even cinema Goliaths cannot rise above the written word.

You know that the makers have their heart in the right place because of the scale on which they have mounted this drama. The sets and VFX deserve a mention. However, you come back a tad disappointed because unlike Shivi who managed to put the wind beneath his wings, the film itself doesn’t provide even surface-level thrills.

Inspired by a 2007 Thai film by the same name, this Bollywood adaptation depends too heavily on creaking doors and a shrieking Sanjana to send a chill down your spine.

If you’re not looking for a mentally stimulating fare, enjoy this ride that is basically meant for the filmi keedas.

There is enough pizzazz to divert you from the cliched plot. It is certainly a step up from Shaad’s last disastrous outing, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007). And what makes this film watchable is the effortless chemistry between Ranveer and Ali. Their poker-faced humour, jibes at one another and ability to break into a song are impressive. Supported by some corny dialogues — like pigs must always eat shit and never attempt to taste gulkand (a sweet preserve of rose petals used in paan) – they draw laughs as quickly as they draw out their weapons.

Somewhere along the 133 minutes, you’re bound to wonder – why did drop-dead gorgeous Rekha agree to do this film? One can say that India’s self-styled Greta Garbo is a frog in the well. She obviously hasn’t seen English Vinglish and Queen during her Parliament break.

One star in the rating is reserved solely for the livewire, Richa Chadha. Like in Fukrey, in Tamanchey too, she gets her bindaas, badass girl act pat.

Hate Story 2 is a revenge drama on the lines of Rakesh Roshan’s Khoon Bhari Maang and Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies. What it lacks is an A-grade star cast. Also, this one is slightly more predictable in pattern. However, the doses of erotica added to the screenplay just to give it that gleeful taste work well.

Kaanchi goes from Koshampa to Mumbai to seek revenge. In what is the most childish plot ever, she masquerades as a domestic help in the Kakda household. She conducts a sting operation, throws open a can of worms and blows the cover on this family, who have political leanings and havala earnings. And by the time she’s done with her Mother India act, you’re too tired to seek reason.