Rajiv Vijayakar
KoiMoi·SouthAsianHerald
Rajiv Vijayakar was on the National Film Awards jury twice. He is part of the core content team of the Indian Music Experience Museum in Bengaluru and author of The History of Indian Film Music.
Most Divergent Takes
- Moana (2026)10.0 vs TRM 5.5+4.5
- Raid 2 (2025)9.0 vs TRM 5.7+3.3
- Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos (2026)2.0 vs TRM 5.1-3.1
- Fateh (2025)2.0 vs TRM 5.0-3.0
- Ohh My Dog (2026)8.0 vs TRM 5.5+2.5
Maaran
2026 · KoiMoi
A hard-hitting saga of two uneasy relationships—but much more too. If you love serious cinema, this Gujarati marvel is an unapologetic, gritty, and dark film worth watching.
Batwara 1947
2026 · KoiMoi
The incisive script and message, and Shabana Azmi's towering performance shine in this supple story of how human beings need to show respect, not just tolerance, for religions other than their own. Never mind the title: there is no Indo-Pak nostalgia here, but a grand return to form for director Santoshi, a full 22 years after his marvelous Khakee.
Awarapan 2
2026 · SouthAsianHerald
...one hopes that the fervor for the film (which is on a high until Independence Day weekend—at least!) is maintained, for the sake of the film’s makers and for Emraan Hashmi. Nitin Kakkar’s sixth film, hopefully, will be his first hit. Otherwise, I have never cared for such dark, brooding fare as value-for-money and worth my time and effort.
Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos
2026 · KoiMoi
This blah black comedy makes calamities like Bangistan, Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd., and the likes look nutritious in comparison. Maybe co-producer Aamir Khan was conned into believing he was making a second Delhi Belly, his 2011 dark delight that is now a cult classic, especially compared to this crappy, confused concoction.
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
2026 · KoiMoi
David Dhawan is in his element and is back in form after the debacle that was the Coolie No. 1 reboot (2020). He maintains an even tenor where the goal is 'Entertainment, Entertainment, and Entertainment—Dhawan style' and brooks no obstacles to that mass-friendly aim.
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata
2026 · KoiMoi
A stirring tribute to the unsung heroes of 26/11 that shines a light on the nursing profession. Kangana Ranaut shines as Gita, and while there are some logical inconsistencies, the film's focus on the selflessness and dedication of nurses is worth extolling.
Moana
2026 · KoiMoi
This live-action Disney film reimagines their 2016 animation classic, Moana, without consciously trying to surpass or belittle one of their finest animation exercises. One of the finest Disney scripts ever, the narration does not offer a standardized template wherein a princess has to deal with evil forces and win the heart of an eligible suitor. At 115 minutes, it is one relentless cinematic feat and feast, a seamlessly perfect amalgam of content and form, all anchored by some incredible writing.
Bhai Tera Star Hai
2026 · KoiMoi
The fact that they made this film at all! Raghav Juyal, the man who was so good in Kill and The Ba***ds of Bollywood, is sure to put his rising film career into a tailspin by choosing such errors of judgment! He is over loud and completely over the top in the worst way possible.
Ohh My Dog
2026 · KoiMoi
Racy, thrilling, and yet emotionally riveting, the film never descends into the melodramatic or loopy but maintains pace even as it shows how deep the love is for human beings by dogs—and vice-versa. By Indian movie standards, wholesome animal movies have come in very rarely. And in sheer emotional wallop and entertainment quotient, this is the first script I recollect after Haathi Mere Saathi, all of 55 years ago.
Do Deewane Seher Mein
2026 · KoiMoi
Some films are not bad or disappointing per se, but need to be judiciously trimmed in their runtime to make for a good watch. The core idea is worthy; the execution needed a more practical approach.
Maa Behen
2026 · KoiMoi
A curate's egg of a film: good in parts and its intention to entertain, but not so solid in execution. Full marks to Triptii Dimri, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Madhuri Dixit, and Dharna Durga for their scintillating performances, though some parts are incoherent and uneven, and even seem forced.
Ikkis
2026 · KoiMoi
The screenplay meticulously complements the story with a watertight and poignant script that is actually a relaxed and compassionate look at both father and son. Dharmendra plays Brigadier Khetarpal with a natural and underplayed performance that is the high point of this moving drama, getting a fitting end to his long career.
Mardaani 3
2026 · KoiMoi
This is a whopper of a sequel and is bigger and better, as any such franchise should ideally be! Rani Mukerji straddles the new film in the franchise, both as a true-blue stalwart cop and an actor, with expressions and steel unmatched.
Tu Yaa Main
2026 · KoiMoi
This is Bejoy Nambiar's best work to date. His grip on the crucial survival part of the story is superb. Bejoy's expertise in the scare quotient is terrific, and the crisp pacing of the earlier love story part is handled with a skilled balance between precision and emotional weight.
Bhooth Bangla
2026 · KoiMoi
The humor is earthy and often irreverent and wacky. Akshay Kumar is terrific as the cocksure Arjun, who has a rational explanation for all the weird things happening in his presence. Priyadarshan should have taken a little more care in the execution of the film, as the excessive length and stretched climax are problematic.
Main Vaapas Aaunga
2026 · KoiMoi
Main Vaapas Aaunga adds to the tally, but in terms of cinematic and artistic caliber, it must rank above most such sagas. The script is all heart (and all art!) from beginning to end. The implications on normal human beings of the lacerations initiated by the British are scathingly moving and can bring lumps in the throat and tears to the susceptible viewer.
Governor
2026 · KoiMoi
Governor is a riveting look at India's darkest economic hour, offering a compelling story of the 1991 financial crisis that will appeal to history enthusiasts.
The Odyssey
2026 · KoiMoi
The philosophies within and behind all the pageantry shine through, and Matt Damon sparkles and glimmers in what can be termed a tailor-made character, bringing out the finest nuances and emotions required for his complex role without seeming forced: a triumph indeed. Christopher Nolan has crafted one of the greatest cinematic outings, though the epic length could have been curtailed.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
2026 · KoiMoi
The script can only be described as extremely well-structured: its form seemed so complex that I was compelled to revisit the film to grasp its paradoxical simplicity! Destin Daniel Cretton's direction is cerebral with total grip, amazingly in sync with both the action and the emotions, and his exquisite handling of the actors brilliantly supplements his complete masterful vision.
Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2
2025 · KoiMoi
Anukalp Goswami has constructed a relaxing, de-stressing, funny entertainer with punches in this mad merry-go-round. Kapil Sharma is a natural at comedy, and his poker-faced countenance speaks much more than what lesser talents can with drama and forced humor. Laughs guaranteed even in 'serious' sequences.
Maalik
2025 · KoiMoi
It's a complete surrender to unoriginality! Anyone schooled in Hindi gangsta rap could have written this script, which specializes in a complete and studied lack of inventiveness. The beginning, middle, and end are so utterly predictable that one only waits to see at which and to what extent the predictable happens.
Son of Sardaar 2
2025 · KoiMoi
This one is an entertainer that, without preaching, gives us a positive message on life. The second half comes together with great briskness, and then there is no stopping the fun quotient, with the Border sequences bringing the house down and many hilarious one-liners.
Baaghi 4
2025 · KoiMoi
Baaghi 4 is a good watch for Tiger Shroff fans and those who are loyal to this franchise. It is decidedly much better than Baaghi 2 and Baaghi 3 and is technically and cinematically just a whit superior to Baaghi.
Thamma
2025 · KoiMoi
Every possible element of entertainment packed into 149 minutes, with a witty script, stellar performances, and the director's firm grasp on blending horror and comedy seamlessly, though some stretching in the second half and an unnecessarily prolonged climax hold it back.
Haq
2025 · KoiMoi
As a saga of courage, human dignity, and the deliberately maintained 'debate' between religion and law, Haq emerges as a thought-provoking drama on how religious texts can be misinterpreted. It provokes questioning on religious and social equality, and for that alone, it needs to be watched.
Good Bad Ugly
2025 · KoiMoi
Good Bad Ugly is another larger-than-life story of a criminal who is glorified and wants to reform but cannot!
Maa
2025 · KoiMoi
Kajol gives a superb performance as the harangued mother and determined woman who will fight for what is right. Without her, this movie would have been a shipwreck! However, after the interval, logic goes out of the window, with absurd premises and a ridiculous final sequence that undermine what could have been a gripping horror experience.
Dhadak 2
2025 · KoiMoi
The powerful, realistic treatment of an oft-done romantic and social subject. Recommended, of course! This Romantic Drama Will Make Your Heart Beat For The Power Of True Love!
Fateh
2025 · KoiMoi
The sickening, ultra-gratuitous violence, and almost everything else makes Fateh a pathetic debut as writer-director. Sonu Sood's mission to take down cybercriminals becomes nothing but a non-stop shower of violence that is sickening beyond description.
Dhoom Dhaam
2025 · KoiMoi
A flawless and wonderfully crisp script puts this film into the rare category of Hindi movies without an extra frame. This is a movie full of Dhoom Dhaam and has such a robust title, so go for it in the comfort of your home. This one, I think, has repeat value like Dhar's earlier film and Hindi cinema's best thrillers!
The Diplomat
2025 · KoiMoi
The director keeps things real—very real! In this phase of cinema, The Diplomat is a solid case of a real-life story told fearlessly. Go watch!
War 2
2025 · KoiMoi
The story is threadbare, and this brings down all the cosmetic high. The plot is more twisted than several corkscrews put together, and while a naam ke liye story is the funda behind most action extravaganzas, it is a superficial and, in fact, hollow yarn this time. War 2 seems to have been made just to cash in.
Param Sundari
2025 · KoiMoi
The pleasant feel-good ambience and the synergistic chemistry between the lead pair work well, though the script is unevenly paced and could have been a crisp minus-2-hour watch instead of the present length of 136 minutes. Overall, it's a lighthearted stress-free watch ideal for pyar ishq mohabbat fans, with Janhvi Kapoor delivering an excellent performance and Sidharth Malhotra looking better than ever, despite the film's descent into routine tropes.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari
2025 · KoiMoi
Varun Dhawan is back in form after the mishaps that were Baby John and Citadel, exuding confidence, comic timing, and a freshness that was lacking for long. The Varun-Janhvi pairing is synergistic and the energy in their dance sequences is something to relish, with the film offering a light, sparkling narrative that is refreshingly done.
Mastiii 4
2025 · KoiMoi
Mastiii 4 brings back Aftab Shivdasani, Vivek Oberoi & Riteish Deshmukh in a wild, pun-packed entertainer loaded with over-the-top humor, chaos and franchise-style madness.
Tere Ishk Mein
2025 · KoiMoi
The flawed story with impossible convolutions and ludicrous execution ultimately fails to touch the viewer, with the last half hour testing patience through stretched logic. While Dhanush delivers a remarkable performance that moves us, even he deserved a better psychologist and a better film overall.
Kaantha
2025 · KoiMoi
Well-begun, they say, is half-done, and so my rating too will be halfway, as the second half really could have been as fresh as the earlier one! Dulquer's showy yet intense attitude, the sheer magnetism of Samuthirakani, and the powerful performance of Rana add to the film's cinematic value. But the second half turns into a routine thriller with the entry of Rana Daggubati and the investigations.
De De Pyaar De 2
2025 · KoiMoi
De De Pyaar De 2 is a perfect blend of comedy and emotions, with subtle messages too. As with many a 'true' sequel (where the story continues), this is a crisply executed story that makes for great VFM (value for money) for the viewer.
Saiyaara
2025 · KoiMoi
This is yet another downer this year, with talented newcomers getting short shrift thanks to absurd and finally myopic filmmaking. The script is full of loopholes in logic, delivering a barrage of maudlin, melodramatic, synthetic emotions, and handles a serious issue like Alzheimer's in a very convenient and insensitive manner.
Raid 2
2025 · KoiMoi
Very few sequels better their originals. This one does it effortlessly, so don't even think of missing it! One of the few must-watch movies this year!
Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri
2025 · KoiMoi
On the whole, if you are fans of any of the entities here—Dharma, Kartik, Ananya, the rom-com, the family melodrama—this is your fodder. If not, it's still a relaxing romp as long as you keep telling yourself in the first hour, 'Sabra ka phal meetha hota hai (The fruit of patience is sweet)!'
Bhool Chuk Maaf
2025 · KoiMoi
Bhool Chuk Maaf belongs to the canon of Bareilly Ki Barfi and similar small-town comedies with a message, and can be savoured as a pleasant watch. The film is boosted by performances that are not set to impress but to do justice to the written material and the director's vision, with Rajkummar Rao playing a relatable and lifelike comedy in which he acts as a human being rather than a typical hero.
Devara: Part 1
2024 · KoiMoi
The film can perhaps be best described as an orgasmic exposition of mainstream masala movie-making with a gargantuan scale, though the script could have provided more importance to its women and Anirudh's songs do not make the slightest impression.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
2024 · KoiMoi
This Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a-'maze'-ing in many ways! It is a no-holds-barred, unapologetically whacky, loopy laughathon well-blended with the horror element, that commands a lot of screwball fun and paisa-vasool manoranjan.
Wild Wild Punjab
2024 · KoiMoi
It may not be good-good, but it certainly isn't bad-bad! Most direct-to-OTT films fall in the pathetic / boring / sleep-inducing category and a Maharaj or Amar Singh Chamkila are rare. So is the case with good humor-fests. So, we can safely have a one-time watch for this film.
The Sabarmati Report
2024 · KoiMoi
The Sabarmati Report does, ultimately, seem a little too diplomatic and politically correct. It seems unwilling to go the extra mile in a frank and blunt way, which has good and bad sides. As a factual drama, just alright. As a thriller 'inspired by reality' as claimed in the disclaimers, ditto!
The Greatest of All Time
2024 · KoiMoi
This is definitely one of those critic-proof films like Jawan and Animal last year. It keeps the undemanding viewer and hardcore fan entertained, and even in its inordinate length, largely maintains a sufficient interest level to make other viewers keep hoping for something fresh to come up—until the end.
Bad Newz
2024 · KoiMoi
Bad Newz, an entertainer, though quite adult in concept, could have done what it did with much more depth to match the film to which it is a sequel in spirit—the 2019 Good Newwz.
Stree 2
2024 · KoiMoi
He succeeds in thoroughly engrossing his audience (admittedly a primary requisite, especially in these flop-infested days), but I wish he had kept his focus on making this sequel also better besides being obviously bigger in concept, execution and scale.
7 Dogs
2026 · KoiMoi · Aug 2026
7 Dogs puts explosive action ahead of logic and finesse. Mindless entertainment is now a genre by itself. 7 Dogs strives to join the lot.