…is like parched land. There are cracks and dusty patches. And in reality there isn’t any water to sustain life or even drown into.

Phantom is slightly lacking in cinematic intelligence and guile. Especially when you consider Kabir Khan’s last offering Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The film’s sense of patriotism is kiddish and it tries a little too hard to make a hero out of its protagonist. Even then, it does enough to entertain you and keep you hooked. It would make a decent Sunday watch if not taken too seriously.

It’s a setup that’s not meant to evoke a special feeling. But that’s exactly what it does. It takes a tedious and technical sport like chess and it humanizes it to the point where a calculated game of probability turns into a game of chance and fate. It’s rare to see such transcendence in a film. And that’s exactly why this should be watched and cherished by every movie buff out there.

Manjhi’s story brings to light an amazing and shocking reflection of Indian society and politics. A man spent 22 years trying to dig through a mountain for a basic civic convenience. The government and the authorities did absolutely naught to aid his efforts. Yes, 30 years ago the media and the public weren’t as vocal as today, but things in the interiors of our country still need to be ironed out, just Manjhi’s saga. And yet, such a pertinent and relevant subject is doled out in an unconvincing manner. The Mountain man and his legend deserved a lot more.

Not that All Is Well is boring or offensive. It’s just so plain vanilla that for two hours you’re sitting in a chair waiting for something to shake you up. But that edge of the seat moment, just doesn’t arrive. You’re plonked firmly in the center and even Sonakshi Sinha’s gyrations in an item number do nothing to up your spirits. Miss this and you wouldn’t have missed an iota of entertainment.

Brothers offers a whole new experience to MMA action. Hindi audiences will enjoy the novelty. But all said and done, this should’ve been done with a lot more finesse

In the end, it all comes down to the twist ending. The story has all the trappings to keep you engaged and then the surprise climax rounds it all up nicely. But these are things not original to Drishyam’s Hindi iteration. And yet those are the strengths of this film.

Aisa Yeh Jahaan does have the right ideas. It’s just sad that the execution lets them down. If you feel the Seven Sisters States don’t always get the recognition and status they deserve in India, then you definitely will find moments and themes in Aisa Yeh Jahaan that resonate. Otherwise, this could be a drag.

Even though the word ‘great’ is easily misused while chronicling a person or an achievement, it really can’t be employed enough to describe what Masaan feels like. You need to watch this film to realize there’s so much hidden meaning to scenes, situations and words. Yes there are no commercial movie gimmicks, no glamour to startle your senses. But there’s an abundance of artistic passion and emotion here to keep you thinking about life and death, long after the movie is over. It lingers around, like the memory of a lost loved one. That bittersweet combination of happiness and sadness. A perfect mirror to life.

For once, being a Salman Khan fan doesn’t matter. Regardless of how you feel about the man, you will fall in love with his performance and his film. It’s the best offering of his career. It’s a solid entertainer and its emotional depth will sweep you off your feet.