I am quite proud to say that the roaring lady rules the show in Mardaani and with aplomb. Despite the film unraveling with as much wit and creativity as was expected of it, the movie is an attempt to alter the fare of commercial cinema, giving it a more real tinge. It might not be a brilliant film but it is a film that is better than good and must govern your attention for the theme it raises. It is a powerful film that seldom goes wrong and leaves by a message that must be heard. A big shout out to Team Mardaani.

The film is exceedingly well shot, kept tight and flows lucidly. Even if the problems playing might seem alien to you, the film draws your attention and engages you with its intelligent workings. Given that Deepti and Fahad have spent a good deal of time working on the film, the scale on which they were able to mount the film was spectacular. The violent shots of angry mobs were all possible because of the same.

Singham Returns doesn’t match up to Singham and that is the failure of this franchise venture. It is definitely a very watchable film with Ajay putting in his best foot forward in a role that brings out his caliber to the fullest but for those who are expecting a Rohit Shetty fun watch, this film is neither immensely entertaining or superbly enjoyable. The action doesn’t offer anything new and the drama is too superficial for my taste. It is just about average and that too only for its lead man whose swagger rules the show in this one.

Entertainment is a painful exercise to sit through and when a cute retriever with all the fuzziness cannot retrieve you from boredom, blame it on the film. Akshay Kumar was almost as bad as his Once Upon Aye Time In Mumbaai Dobaara performance, and that says it all I am sure. I am going with a very kind 1/5 for the film and it’s a gift from a dog lover to all the dogs who appeared in the film.

As for the rest of the Entertainment team, filmmaking isn’t as trivial as they think it is. Slog for it in their next film and probably then there will be some stars for them. As an afterthought, my fraternity will agree, we live a dog’s life tormented by films like this.

Kick isn’t a pile-on, on Salman’s harebrained repertoire. Luckily, it has the thrill in its action parts and the fuzziness in its romantic ones. Salman sinks his teeth in a character that is a blend of his best roles, delivering a film that is a welcome change from his regular formulaic potboilers. Nawazuddin’s performance upped the bar of mainstream villain by manifolds and Jacqueline’s chemistry with Khan is sexy. Kick is no Ek Tha Tiger but it is an effectively enjoyable film that crackles enough to gives us bang for our buck! I am going with a generous 3/5. Kick isn’t kickass but gives a delicious rush.

Amit Sahni Ki List isn’t exactly some excruciating film to endure but it doesn’t bloom enough to qualify as a crackling film. The director’s slapdash work is evident and that mortally harms the film. I am going with a 2/5. This Vir Das show isn’t exactly his best work.

Pizza 3D is not even close to being a spooky affair. For horror fanatics or time pass audience, the film doesn’t offer anything new despite the hope of it. With too many visible loopholes, the film was a good idea which could not translate itself into a good film. I am going with a 2/5 and hoping that someday a film will come that will use paranormal to create an unseen story.

Hate Story 2 is a shabbier, incoherent, clumsier and low of thrills sequel of its B-grade cheesy predecessor. Despite the grave flaws, Hate Story was atleast watchable. Hate Story 2 disappoints in every department. And though the lead lady shows some promise, the film doesn’t even rise up to mediocrity. It is crass and revels at it. I am going with 1/5. Revenge dramas can be very alluring. A certain Khoon Bhari Maang is a classic example of how this genre can be terrific. But when you aspire low, you achieve low.

Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya is low on froth, zero soul and an absolute bore of a film! My review might seem like a polemic but the reason for it is : don’t tamper with classics and take pride in butchering them. This lehengey wala love simply didn’t work for me. Only Alia and Varun save this film with their energetic rendering and the dialogue writers get a pat on from me for trying their best to keep it zesty but this film doesn’t rise above a 2.5/5 for me. I expected too much and too little was meted out to me #storyofeveryfilmcritic’slife

Bobby Jasoos could have been a crisp, lucid and marvelous film but the overwrought emotional factor got the better out of the story. Plagued by an underwhelming second hour, sloppy editing and a conveniently done hurried climax, the film counts well only for Vidya’s ability to carry a film solely on her shoulders. Her cutesy chemistry wit Ali scores too. But know that a detective story hasn’t done well when you crack the story before the detective himself.