Citylights tries to be two things at the same time for some things that cannot go together. True it keeps the setting real and the performances support that theme. But, other than that, it doesn’t engage. Just because a film is morose and grim, it doesn’t qualify as one that reaches out to you deep within. It is not good enough to have realistic setting and performances. The story has to make you believe too. That is what Citylights misses.

Siddharth Gupta and Amit Sial are the only ones you’d remember after you walk out of the theater. And maybe Pallavi Batra for the loud character she plays annoyingly and aptly. None of this enough to make Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Lag Gayi a watchable film.

Not that one was expecting great shakes from a film called Heropanti. But, that the makers, with a 100% fresh starcast don’t even attempt to break any mould is disheartening. In fact, they try to milk the popularity of a 20-year old film. Just sad.

The performances are as perfunctory as they can get. To rub salt into the wound, you have Irrfan Khan doing a voiceover. The setting of the 70s doesn’t work at all. The songs, well has either, Yo Yo Honey Singh or Himesh Reshammiya as their singer. So, there’s no looking for respite there. The sliver lining is – it is a short film.

Hawaa Hawaai’s story has a very “been there, seen that” feeling about it. The melodrama doesn’t help its case. And then it has a preachy undertone, which borderline beats its own purpose. The good thing is, every time it goes into one of these zones, it manages to get back on track pretty quickly. In fact, it even makes some points rather subtly, in contrast to its own style thus far.

Kya Dilli Kya Lahore is not only well-intentioned it is well made too. Certainly worth the 100 minutes.

I must admit that Main Tera Hero has much more focus in its plot than an average David Dhawan film.

The performances are those that belong in a slapstick film. Varun Dhawan monkeys around, Nargis Fakhri adequately continues to annoy, and Anupam Kher makes a fool of himself yet again. Like I said earlier, Ileana D’Cruz, Saurabh Shukla and Arunoday Singh manage a laugh or two, but just about.

Sure, there is an attempt at trying something new. It feel flat on its face, but at least they tried. Oh well.

When it comes down to stories based on real life with soulful narration, there is very little to say other than, “go watch it, because you need to.”

Of course, Lakshmi is a very difficult and intense watch – for women, for sure, and hopefully for men too.

Ragini MMS 2 is like any other B-grade horror film or Horrex (Horror-Sex for the uninclined) as Ragini MMS 2 likes to call itself. Do not be surprised if I copy-paste this review for the next similarly done film in the genre.