Reuters
Reviewing since 2013 · Last review Sept 2019
Shilpa covers Bollywood and entertainment for Reuters India since 2008. She has previously worked with DNA and the Press Trust of India, covering train blasts in Mumbai, a constitutional crisis in Goa and protests in New Delhi.
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Shilpa rarely scores films: 0 of 228 reviews carry a score.
From the archive
At 179 minutes, "Saaho" drags on and on. Director and writer Sujeeth throws in countless plot twists, intent on distracting viewers with action, blood, gore and romance over substance. At one point, when a character says, "I've concocted so many false stories, you think I can't come up with one more" – it is as if he is talking about the script.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8
For all its flaws, "Mission Mangal" is an uplifting film. The film's enthusiasm about its subject and its ability to make you care about its characters help even out the bumps in its path.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9
What transpired at Batla House remains unclear, and Indian courts continue to hear cases linked to the encounter to this day. As far as this film is concerned, there is no room for debate. In true Bollywood tradition, "Batla House" chooses to hide its grays under black and white.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
Chopra and Malhotra are stilted and ineffective, and their chemistry is non-existent. It is almost as if the two were dragged to the sets of the film and forced to act – just like the characters in the film. Much like its title, "Jabariya Jodi" is a forced and unnecessary effort, one that we could all have done without.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4
The lifeless plot gets a few scenes right, but they are few and far between. The only bright spot is an all-too fleeting appearance by rapper Badshah, who plays a flamboyant version of himself as a popular rapper named Gabru Gatak. His delightfully wry delivery seems to coax Sinha into showing off some of the comic timing that is otherwise missing from the rest of her performance.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6
Kovelamudi stuffs his scenes with absurdist elements and dark humour, but the script is too shallow to support these devices. At best, "Judgementall Hai Kya?" is an ineffective thriller with an obvious villain.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4
There is a great film to be made on the Indian middle-class and lower middle-class obsession with an IIT education, the extent to which people will seek it, and the machinery it takes for those chosen few who do get through. "Super 30" isn't equal to the task.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7
It is difficult to watch "Kabir Singh" as a standalone film if you've watched "Arjun Reddy." Sandeep Reddy Vanga's new film is a scene-by-scene remake of his 2017 Telugu-language blockbuster, and much like his protagonist, its flaws are obvious to everyone but himself.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4
Khan is the only thing that matters here, and to Zafar's credit, he makes the effort to carve out a character that doesn't depend entirely on the star status of his leading man. "Bharat" is too long, too overdrawn and too maudlin for it to evoke any genuine emotion.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8
Gupta throws in real-life shots of bomb blasts in India to emphasise the importance of the mission, but they can't match the story's sluggish pace. A deadpan Kapoor is ineffective as a master spy on a mission of a lifetime, putting in an one-tone, monotonous performance as Prabhat that weighs down an already sagging film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3
There is no doubt that Modi's rise to power is a fascinating tale. There is no doubt that many millions of people like him, maybe even love him. There is an interesting film yet to be made that would examine his rise and what led to it. This is not that film.
Full review ↗TRM 3.3
Tabu is the only breath of fresh air here; she is unaffected and natural as can be. It is only when she is on screen that the film is infused with life. If the story were told from her perspective instead of that of the rather self-centered Ashish, we'd have a better film on our hands.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
With his dancing skills and ripped body, Shroff is perfectly suited to the role of Rohan, but there is nothing in this film that we haven't seen him do before. A stony-faced Tara Sutaria comes off as too self-conscious in her attempt to play Mia. It is Ananya Pandey who stands out among what is otherwise a mediocre cast. As Shreya, she displays some spunk and life, and is the best thing about this film.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8
In India, films that target children (as this one is touted to be) seem to think that kids need messages to be hammered into them as they are unable to grasp any nuance. Junglee follows this same playbook and is too much in love with its leading man for it to have any meaningful impact.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
A period war film is not easy to pull off, but "Kesari" falters mainly because it spends too much time talking about war and bravery instead of showing it.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6
Unlike his earlier film "Lunchbox" (also about an unlikely romance), which became a surprise hit at the box office, Batra's latest offering doesn't quite hit the sweet spot.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1
Director Chaubey tries to get into the dynamics of the group and their equations with each other, but his and Sudip Sharma's script is too heavy-handed. Sometimes, it is farcical and suddenly gives way to an emotional scene. There is a half-hearted attempt to weave in real-life bandit Phoolan Devi's story, but that falls flat. The film's dialogue is entirely in the Bundelkhandi dialect, which lends authenticity to the proceedings.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
Both Sanon and Aaryan share tepid chemistry and are not believable as small-town folks, thanks to their coiffed hair, designer dresses and perfectly made-up faces. They seem out of place and out of depth and like the film, inconsistent and sluggish.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2
Nothing about "Total Dhamaal" will stay with you after you have left the theatre, but while you are in there, you can be assured of a few laughs.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0
This might be an incongruous analogy, but Zoya Akhtar's "Gully Boy" is like those picture-in-picture debates you see on prime-time news, but in a good way. There is a central story with many windows open at once, essentially leading to the main plot, but also alive in their own way, thus making the big picture seem that much more textured and vibrant.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3
What works for Dhar's film are the honest performances, especially by the reliable Kapoor and Rao, who inject the film with energy. That energy is solely lacking in Kapoor Ahuja, who puts in a rather insipid performance as a young woman trapped in her identity and desperate for a way out. Not that the script affords her much, but even with what she has, she squanders the chance to depict the real struggle of women in small-town India and the prejudices they must deal with daily. She is the film's weakest link, and the reason why this story falls short.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1
Kangana Ranaut does her best. She is awkward and stilted as the demure bride but comes into her own as the warrior queen. She adds a swagger to her stride and a steely determination to her demeanour that are hard not to cheer for. She is the only thing that make this film worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9
Not that "Thackeray" was ever going to be anything but a hagiography, but films like these underline the need for good, impartial and well-made political films. Given how obsessed we are with politics, we deserve better films about it and the men who shape our nation.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
"Why Cheat India" might not be the definitive film on the flaws of the Indian education system, but it is effective enough to give audiences a jolt.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6
For all the storm around it, "The Accidental Prime Minister" is a hollow film - it has nothing to say, no stand to take and no insight to offer about its subject.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9
His slick war film draws a leaf out of Kathryn Bigelow's gritty movies. "Uri: The Surgical Strike" is shorn of heavy background music, has smart action sequences and the requisite fist-pumping dialogue that are the hallmark of this genre. But try as it might, it also cannot avoid the Bollywood tropes that weigh it down.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
TRM 4.7
For a film that ebbs and flows, the leads thankfully keep it afloat and steady. Rajput is wonderful as Mansoor, using his eyes and body language to convincingly convey his character's emotions. But the true revelation is Khan, whose performance makes it hard to believe that this is her first film. She acts like a veteran, is a natural in front of the camera and handles the emotional scenes with ease. She is the most memorable thing about "Kedarnath".
Full review ↗TRM 4.9
Myra Vishwakarma is adorable, but it is unsettling to think that she had to enact all these horrifying scenes. That a child should have to go through such traumatic scenarios for the sake of a few scares seem wrong.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3
Khan is the only one having fun in this film, but that is partly because his character is so irreverent. Everyone else is overwrought, and the run time of three hours is an ordeal. "Thugs of Hindostan" is a sinking ship, and not even Aamir Khan and his Midas touch can salvage it.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1
Nothing about "Namaste England" is redeemable. This is 135 minutes of mediocrity that you would do well to avoid.
Full review ↗TRM 3.1
It's ironic that a film that shows a 50-year-old woman getting pregnant makes it about everyone else but her. We see her pregnancy from the perspective of her husband, her kids, her mother-in-law and even the neighbour – everyone except her own. It is the film's one great failing. If you can forgive that, then "Badhaai Ho" is a satisfying ride.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7
The rain never stops in Rahi Anil Barve's "Tumbbad". It pelts the ground relentlessly, rendering everything else insignificant and giving the film an eerie atmosphere and a sense of foreboding. This gloom is what gives the film its best attribute – atmospherics. Barve's film is redolent with a texture and detail that is rare in Indian films.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7
This film truly belonged to the 80s. It's a shame that Bollywood hasn't moved on when audiences clearly have.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8
Bollywood doesn't make too many thrillers and when it does, they don't always measure up. "Andhadhun" ticks all the right boxes. This one should be savoured.
Full review ↗TRM 7.5
"Pataakha" should have been a short film, but it got inexplicably extended into a 136-minute full length feature. Much like his protagonists, Bhardwaj doesn't know when to cut it short and walk away.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5
The film falters when it moves away from being an intimate portrait and takes to grandstanding to find a solution to Mamta and Mauji's problems. The convoluted plot is a drawback, but much like a tapestry, the beauty here lies in the detail, in the small things. And in this respect, "Sui Dhaaga" is a winner.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9
If you really want to watch a film about how an inflated electricity bill can play havoc with the life of a common man, watch Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar's delightful "Ek Cup Chya" instead. It makes the same point in a much more subtle and effective way.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
This is a sketchy biopic, which might resonate with those who are already familiar with Manto's life and want to see it enacted on celluloid. But for those who are unaware of him and his work, "Manto" isn't an ideal introduction to the celebrated writer.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5
For a film that waxes eloquent about the unpredictability and volatility of love, the end feels like an unnecessary cop-out.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
In Imtiaz Ali's films like "Rockstar", "Jab Harry Met Sejal" and "Tamasha", the focus is always on the man and how he reacts to unrequited love. The tortured, angst-ridden hero is a running theme in all his films, and in "Laila Majnu", we see another version of him. To Avinash Tiwary's credit, he sinks his teeth into the role and has an arresting screen presence that makes it difficult to take your eyes off him.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9
TRM 6.3
The fact that there have been three iterations of a film that should never have been made even once is a telling comment – whether on the film industry or the audience that consumes them is a matter of debate.
Full review ↗TRM 2.8
"Gold" is a lackluster film that doesn't seem too sure of itself. And coming from a director who has done better, it is a colossal disappointment.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
If there is one thing Anubhav Sinha's "Mulk" (Nation) gets right, it is the message. The manner of delivery might be deemed a tad simplistic, and the tone bombastic, but the film is clear about what it wants to say. And it today's times, it is an important message to get across.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5
If only the director had resisted the urge to insert cliched characters and reduced the run time, "Fanney Khan" would have been an out-and-out winner.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4
"Sanju" is not a particularly engaging film because it stretches too long and resorts to melodrama over substance, but Bollywood also lost the opportunity to look at one of its own with a neutral lens and tell his story honestly.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9
"Race 3" is a minefield of meme-worthy moments, replete with hilarious dialogue, a plot ripe for parody and abysmal acting.
Full review ↗TRM 3.4
In terms of humour, "Veere Di Wedding" works well, but it stutters when it comes to the emotional conflicts, which feel unreal and contrived. The sets are opulent, the costumes are expensive and these characters all live in the rarefied bubble that is Delhi high society.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6
There is much to like here - the atmospherics, Painyuli's performance that is notches above Kapoor's, and Motwane's feel for noir, but his home-grown hero still falls short. Hopefully this will be a franchise, and like most superheroes, Bhavesh Joshi too will have a chance at redemption and a better future.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
Despite its shortcomings, "Raazi" has a lot going for it, especially its leading lady. If you are willing to suspend your imagination a bit, it can make for a fulfilling watch.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1
"Omerta" goes for effect rather than depth by focusing on Omar's modus operandi rather than his intentions and ideologies. Even as a thriller, it is tepid, never upping the ante. Rajkummar Rao, one of the best actors in the Hindi film industry, puts in a staccato performance. Even he is not able to rise above the stilted script.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1
Mishra seems content to let this mediocrity play out, cluttering his story with too many characters and plot points, none of which is satisfactorily resolved. The result is that "Daas Dev" ends up on the opposite spectrum of its original inspirations.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
At 132 minutes, the film is 132 minutes too long and time seems to stand still as it meanders along before finally reaching its predictable ending. This is one of those remakes that should never have seen the light of day.
Full review ↗TRM 3.4
"October" doesn't hurry from one plot point to the other. In fact there aren't any plot points. This might prompt some to call it slow, but it is not. Sircar and Chaturvedi bring a meditative quality to the story, and it is this quality that makes "October" stand out.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9
Even if you ignore the core issues in the screenplay, "Hichki" doesn't even get the underdog winner story right. There is too much trite dialogue and stereotypical situations for the film to throw any surprises your way, and it feels like Malhotra isn't even trying to do anything different.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7
To make something as mundane as a tax raid seem thrilling enough for a two-hour film is no mean feat. To their credit, Gupta and Shah try very hard. The visuals of money, jewellery and gold bars would have put Pablo Escobar to shame, and Devgn mouths sermons about how this uneven distribution of wealth is responsible for India's stuttering economy. After a while though, the repartee starts to wear thin, and the obvious resolution takes much too long coming.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1
...for all its flaws, "Padman", much like its protagonist, puts in a sincere effort. It takes a subject that most Indians are reluctant to talk about and puts it on the marquee, and that alone is worth the applause.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4
Sports in India is much more than just the game and Kashyap tries to throw the spotlight on that, but he tries to land too many punches, and in doing so, misses the mark.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9
If you have ever been to a small town for your summer holidays, listened in wide-eyed wonder as adults swapped stories around the dinner table and spent languid afternoons lying on the grass, then Konkona Sen Sharma's "A Death in the Gunj" is just the film for you.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2
...if this film has a beating heart, it is Vidya Balan. She is in every scene and lights it up with her sheer screen presence. This is an author-backed role, but she makes it so much more by adding layers of empathy and vulnerability to make Sulu a character that will stay with you long after you have left the theatre.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6
In "Qarib Qarib Singlle" (Almost single), Irrfan Khan plays a smart-talking, glib man who goes on a road trip across India. But unlike 2015's "Piku", this trip doesn't seem to be as much fun.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
Appearances are deceptive in "Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana" (Please Come to the Wedding). In the beginning, our hero appears to be a likeable, if excitable, young man, consumed by the thought of marital bliss. But as the story progresses, he turns "full retard". So does the film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
n his debut film, Chopra seems to have enough control of his craft to never drift too far away from the core; and even though the twist in the tale doesn't entirely come as a surprise, "Ittefaq" still manages to keep you hooked enough to want to know what happens in the end.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
The vantage point that the audience has been given is only interesting for a while, even though Koechlin and Vyas seem capable enough for their roles. Sandilya's attempt at giving us a glimpse into the unseen pressures of urban life is commendable, but the story has neither meat nor heft to keep the audience interested.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6
...this film stays clear of sexist jokes, toilet humour and making fun of the disabled. For that alone, "Golmaal Again" is one up on its earlier iterations.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2
The problem with "Secret Superstar" is that it starts out with a good idea, but the film unravels because it wants to say too many things at once.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
The end plays out as you thought it would. The original "Chef" at least made a comment on the food cart phenomenon in the United States, but there is no such phenomenon in India. Neither the food nor the emotions in this remake satisfy.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7
"Judwaa 2" is already treading on thin ice, given it never had strong material to begin with. Thankfully, as in the original, it has a leading man with enough screen presence to manage scenes that would be too outlandish otherwise.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
Nothing in "Newton" is said obviously. Metaphors abound, and it is up to the audience to draw their own conclusions. But one thing is clear - Masurkar and Tewari make no bones about whose side they are on, even though the film pretends to be neutral.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3
As revenge-dramas go, this one is middling, with neither emotions nor actions quite hitting the mark.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0
"Haseena Parkar" is yet another film in the long line of hagiographies that Bollywood tends to pass off as gangster films. That a person can be evil and still lead an interesting life worth recounting seems to be beyond the imagination of our film-makers.
Full review ↗TRM 3.6
What distinguishes "Daddy" from the many campy gangster films Bollywood has produced is that it at least attempts to try something different within the genre. But scratch the surface, and it is yet another film that romanticizes a gangster and attempts to redeem him.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1
The film might have been an attempt to create a good old-fashioned love triangle, but the events leading up to it feel unnecessarily contrived, and the plot (by Nitesh Tiwari and Shreyas Jain) wafer-thin and stretched. The so-called conflict could have been resolved if the leads had an honest two-minute conversation.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
The biggest letdown is Ali, who doesn't even seem to be trying anymore. This is a film that feels like it was directed on auto-pilot and then left to its own devices.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
Arjun Kapoor displays a singular lack of comic timing, and the female leads are for decorative purposes only. Athiya Shetty, whose promotional appearances for this film are hugely disproportionate to the miniscule amount of screen time she gets, puts the cherry on top when she says coyly to her groom, "There must be something special about a man who sacrifices his love for his family."
Full review ↗TRM 5.6
"Lipstick Under My Burkha", much like the beauty product in its title, is at best cosmetic in its treatment. No wonder then, that its impact doesn't last for more than a couple of hours.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
Shroff is the perfect old-school hero, with screen presence and action skills to match. Now if only someone would give him a good script to play with.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8
For all its positives, the sum of the parts is unable to redeem the whole. There are moments in the film that are wonderful, but when you put it all together, "Jagga Jasoos" doesn't seem as rich and colourful as it appears to be.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
In her first full-fledged role after the much-loved "English Vinglish" in 2012, she proves that she is the embodiment of the new age Bollywood mother – willing to kill anyone who has wronged her family instead of meekly accepting what life hands out.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4
For all its insistence on faith, the film shows a surprising lack of it – it is all rehearsed, clumsily designed to tug at the heartstrings and endear us to its leading man. This "Tubelight" flickers erratically for a long time and then dies out.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
Even Deshmukh's usually reliable comic timing cannot come to the rescue, and Oberoi seems to have little to do but twirl his moustache and act menacing. And in the ultimate cop-out, the robbers are redeemed and turned into Robin Hoods, stripping the film of the last vestige of honesty.
Full review ↗TRM 3.7
Vijan doesn't seem to have the directing chops to make this kind of film, and at 154-minutes, "Raabta" is much too long and overwrought. Sanon and Rajput drum up chemistry in the beginning and try to make their parts work, but Jim Sarbh is out of his depth. He is uncomfortable as the villain and unintentionally funny when he tries to portray the charming psychopath.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1
The romance in this romantic comedy is non-existent, but thankfully the wit and sparkle in the humour make it a fun watch.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
If you ignore the cinematic merit and focus on the film merely as a wistful trip down memory lane, "Sachin – a Billion Dreams" is a fulfilling watch.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1
If the aim of the film was to evoke nostalgia, it works in the sense that you yearn for the time when Bollywood knew how to make a love story, and romance didn't have to be this laboured.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9
Bachchan tries hard to channel his inner Vito Corleone for the third time even as the rest of the cast dart piercing looks at each other. Amit Sadh as Cheeku channels so much intensity that you would be forgiven for thinking he was a soldier going off to fight at the border. Thankfully, Ronit Roy is the exact opposite, playing Gokul with dependable efficiency. But that is hardly enough to salvage a film that, like its protagonist, is a mere shadow of its earlier avatars.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0
...the film would probably go down as campy and often over-the-top where the actors arch their eyebrows at every opportunity and warriors use palm trees as weapons of war. It is because Rajamouli never lets up in his attempt to deliver a spectacle that has to be enjoyed in theatres that "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion" is a worthy conclusion to this epic series. It may not up the ante from the last film, but it doesn't let up on the pace either. For an Indian film, that is no mean feat.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1
Raveena Tandon, in her first full-fledged movie role in six years, is the other saving grace. She is hardly known for her acting prowess, but makes a sincere attempt in "Maatr" to depict the agony of a mother in the throes of guilt and grief.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3
For all its appearance of a historical film, the events in "Begum Jaan" seem far removed from the time. There is barely any evidence of the churn taking place in India or of the communal tensions at the time. Mukherji doesn't seem to be able to tie together the twin themes of partition and the exploitation of women.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
For a meditation on death and salvation, "Mukti Bhawan" is an accomplished effort, and one that must be appreciated.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1
The idea of a female spy who is out to kill evil men is not a bad one and almost unprecedented in Bollywood, and Pannu's one stand-out scene in 2015's "Baby" set her up nicely for the role. But on watching "Naam Shabana", you realise that not all stories need two hours of run time. Sometimes, a well-executed five-minute scene is more than enough.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9
The idea must have been to juxtapose the two love stories, but on screen, that sentiment hardly comes through. The two timelines and the characters seem worlds apart, and the tenuous thread that holds them together seems to snap much before the 137-minute narrative ends.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
"Trapped" is one of those films taken to another level only on the strength of a powerhouse performance, and Rajkummar Rao will be remembered for this one for a long, long time.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5
The performance of the leading pair doesn't impress either. Sadh has a perpetual scowl on his face, and Pannu's attempt at playing the gregarious Punjabi girl falls flat. This "shaadi" should have never happened.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
"The Ghazi Attack" is stylishly shot and employs technology on screen better than many other Bollywood films, but its story-telling is reminiscent of patriotic films from the 60s and 70s, when a "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" slogan and the waving of a tricolor was enough to evoke rapturous applause from the audience.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8
"Raees" follows the 70s gangster film formula to the T, complete with the honest police officer who will stop at nothing to capture his nemesis, the perfunctory romance, and the final redemption that makes the audience root for the flawed hero.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8
"Kaabil" may not be in the class of 2015's "Badlapur" when it comes to exploring the nature of vendetta, but it doesn't discredit the genre either, and the credit should rest on the shoulders of its leading man.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9
...there is something to be said for a film that takes a tired romantic trope and turns it into a tale that will bring a smile to your face. But any credit must go to Mani Ratnam. Ali and his cast are merely transcribers here.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has made a career out of playing the evil man, so he gets into his role in "Haraamkhor" with ease, bringing the right kind of sliminess to Shyam's character that will make you despise him. Tripathi as Sandhya is wonderful too, but it is Irfan Khan and Mohd Samad, the two boys who play Kamal and Mintu, who are the two standout performers in the film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9
When it comes to wrestling, or education, or religion, Aamir Khan knows best. After watching "Dangal", it is difficult to argue with that.
Full review ↗TRM 8.0
...for a film that builds up wonderfully, "Kahaani 2 – Durga Rani Singh" fails to finish off in style.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8
The highlight of the film is Alia Bhatt, who pulls off her second brilliant performance of the year after "Udta Punjab". The focus is entirely on her and she doesn't shy away, facing even tough scenes with a natural confidence and maturity that belies her age. "Dear Zindagi" might not be a love letter to life it was intended to be, but Bhatt and Khan make this one worth watching.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6
Packed with action shorn of cliched romance and full of breathless chase sequences though the cobbled streets of Budapest in Hungary, "Force 2" could have passed the action film test with flying colours if not for that pesky thing called storyline.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2
Like the snow-covered mountains that form a backdrop to much of "Shivaay", the film may have been meant to inspire awe, but the end result leaves you stone cold.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6
"Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" has neither gravitas nor the charm to be worth remembering.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1
Bajpayee and the rest of the cast plough on, regardless of the meaninglessness of the script. The only person you feel for is Kay Kay Menon, the police officer who is always late to the chase and is left bewildered and empty-handed in the end. That's how the audience is likely to feel too at the end of "Saat Uchakkey".
Full review ↗TRM 4.5
The trimmings in this love story like the music and choreography are the best bits but Mehra and Gulzar fail to give us a sense of the real conflicts in the film - the reason for Sahiban's actions and the choice one has to sometimes make between lover and family.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
For a film that starts off so well, "M S Dhoni: The Untold Story" is unable to achieve what its subject has made an art out of - finishing off in style.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3
An incoherent script magnifies this problem, and pulls "Banjo" down into a quagmire from which even Deshmukh, for all his screen presence, cannot rescue it.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4
Coming as it does on the heels of "Pink" last week, "Parched" seems a little too contrived to be a memorable tale of women empowerment.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4
"Pink" is largely a triumph - a Bollywood film that talks about a burning topic and finds an entertaining way to do it. If only they had known where to stop the gimmickry and take it down a notch, it would have been a landmark film.
Full review ↗TRM 7.8
"Baar Baar Dekho" doesn't want to ask the tough questions about family, equality, marriage, and whether they trump your other passions as the ultimate aim in life. Once you accept the film's contention that life is all about your relationships, it passes the Bollywood romance test with flying colours.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
Under the flimsy cover of a sports film, "Freaky Ali" is just another Bollywood 'good guy versus bad guy' movie. Every character is a caricature and every plot point already seen in a thousand other films. This one doesn't quite "putt" it.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5
Murugadoss' intent is commendable but his execution is flimsy, to say the least. Like a rash driver in the film who crashes his car into a pile of bricks, the film-maker seems unsure which way to steer, mashing together many half-baked sub-plots before the movie limps to its unconvincing climax.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3
All three stories have their strong points, but there are times when Oberoi cannot resist the temptation to spell everything out. That takes some of the edge off from what is otherwise a rare and honest portrait of the lives of urban dwellers.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2
D'Souza borrows liberally from the X-Men and Superman franchises, and puts in enough tropes to give his superhero enough of an Indian soul, making sure the next film in this franchise becomes a reality.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3
India-Pakistan unity and other tropes aside, "Happy Bhag Jayegi" is a mildly funny comedy that doesn't try too hard to push the boundaries, but does enough to entertain you.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
The story of KM Nanavati is shrouded in mystery even after all these years, and it is difficult to point right from wrong. But predictably, Bollywood would prefer painting its heroes white or black rather than taking the effort to look at the shades of grey that colour us all. That is the biggest failing of "Rustom".
Full review ↗TRM 5.6
Even though Hrithik Roshan appears in almost every frame and brings his natural screen presence to the film, he is a shadow of his normal self, bogged down by a weak script, terrible production values and a lack of vision from the man who once made some of Bollywood's grandest movies.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5
...an honest and sincere attempt at a sports biopic - a rarity in Bollywood, which tends towards melodrama and obscures reality even when it comes to telling real-life stories. For that alone, Padhi's effort is commendable.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7
The only redeeming quality of this film is Varun Dhawan and his comic timing that lightens the mood and makes some lines funnier than they would have been otherwise.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
...as "Madaari" draws to its predictable conclusion, the only thing you are left wondering is how on earth did the nameless man get enough network coverage for him to watch videos unbuffered and upload them in the middle of nowhere? When that is the only thing bothering you in a film about social justice and the rotting political system, you know the message is lost.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
"Great Grand Masti" could have turned the tables on the sex comedy genre, but thanks to some watered-down humour and regressive script, this is just another mediocre film that will sink into oblivion.
Full review ↗TRM 2.5
The bad guys may be missing, but "Sultan" has everything else that makes for a satisfying Bollywood film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5
While the intentions may have been in the right place, the real voice of "Shorgul" is lost in melodrama and fake blood.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8
Director Kashyap is obviously inspired by Sriram Raghavan's short film on Raman Raghav, lifting several scenes. But in his attempt to make it an edgier, contemporary narrative, Kashyap loses out on the potency of the plot.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9
Director Kukunoor spends more time trying to make his protagonists look cute and play to the gallery. And while Pari and Chotu do have their moments, for the most part "Dhanak" comes across as forced and superficial rather than a heartfelt story of two siblings.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7
For all the controversy surrounding this film and its print being leaked two days before release, the main talking point about "Udta Punjab" should be that it is, by far, one of the best-acted Bollywood films in the past few years. That alone is worth the price of your ticket.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
Despite having a lot of things going for it, "Te3n" doesn't pass the first test of a thriller – it doesn't keep you on the edge of your seat.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8
Race, colour, the differently abled — "Housefull 3″ spares no one, and if you are not offended by the end, you are likely to be bored out of your mind because it isn't even funny.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3
Ram Gopal Varma, whose skill sets as a director have plummeted drastically in the last few years, falls further into the abyss by bringing together a bunch of bad actors in "Veerappan" and egging them on towards even more mediocrity.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6
Reminiscent of his first film "Ragini MMS", Kripalani passes the basic horror film test – he scares you enough to make you jump out of your seat and intrigues you enough to make you stay till the end.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4
The film is tailor-made for Shroff and he doesn't disappoint – he executes a kick with the same fluidity and grace as a dancer and makes the toughest of sequences looks scarily easy. The easiest of romantic scenes requiring a bit of emoting – that is a whole other story. But if you can forgive the lack of logic and acting chops, then "The Tiger Shroff Showreel" might be worth your time.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6
The screenplay can't escape a few bumps, and some scenes such as a chance meeting with a benevolent civil servant come across as gimmicky. But these are small hiccups in what is otherwise a film that is bound to bring a smile to your face.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0
For all the promise it shows, "Fan" ends up as a disappointment for its unwillingness to explore the complicated, at times unfathomable relationship between an actor and his fans, and for reducing it to an average thriller.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
There is so much to be said about changing roles in today's India, and films would do well to reflect on this great churn. But R. Balki, like most of Bollywood, would rather not look outside and learn. Why make a real film about real people when you can stereotype. It is faster.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
Kamat's ability to turn a good original film into a credible remake was suspect even in his last film "Drishyam", but "Rocky Handsome" is solid proof that Bollywood can ruin even the most straightforward of remakes. There are stereotypes galore, deafening background music and lots of blood and gore. Some of the action sequences are executed well, but that is about the only saving grace.
Full review ↗TRM 4.2
This family may not be happy in the beginning, but you know there's going to be a happy family shot in the end. This might be the new-age family drama, but the message is still the one Bollywood has drilled into us all these years – it's all about loving your family.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2
"Jai Gangaajal" is another one of those countless police dramas Bollywood churned out in the 80s, with a gender role reversal that is cosmetic at best.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
Despite the markedly unoriginal scenes and predictable story, "Zubaan" might have been a coherent film if the director wasn't so confused. As it stands though, this is a film that cannot overcome its split-personality disorder.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4
Two of India's finest actors star in a new Bollywood film that puts the spotlight on homophobia in India, with its makers hoping to rekindle the debate on homosexuality and the right to privacy.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3
The flaws are few and the high points are many. "Neerja" is the best film we've seen this year.
Full review ↗TRM 7.6
To Kapoor's credit, his vision is ambitious and "Fitoor" (Obsession) has the look of a brooding, sweeping romance that transcends time and, at times, the realities of the era in which it is based.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
...one of those films that should have been made in the 80's, when such themes might have been better accepted. Or better yet, it shouldn't have been made at all.
Full review ↗TRM 3.5
This modern version of the angry young man out to seek justice is more muted than the 1990 film.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
...another example of Bollywood's belief that even if you sink to the depths of mediocrity, there is someone out there who will still come and watch your film.
Full review ↗TRM 2.3
There is no story here to speak of, and whatever conflicts and situations the film presents are merely vehicles for its mediocre humour and raunchy song-and-dance numbers. And when you have Tusshar Kapoor dressed in drag and being propositioned by Shakti Kapoor, who plays his father, you know it can't get worse.
Full review ↗TRM 3.1
The sight of the tricolor unfurling before the victorious hero is one that has characterised many a Bollywood movie. And yet, very few manage to evoke genuine emotion even after resorting to lofty dialogue and (ear-shattering) patriotic background music. But in Raja Krishna Menon's "Airlift", that moment is beautifully captured.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0
The only lesson you learn is how the Indian film industry neglects veteran actresses such as Azmi and Chawla, and forces them to accept mediocre roles just to appear on the big screen again.
Full review ↗TRM 4.2
The only purpose of "Dilwale" is to chant every known Bollywood mantra for a successful film and cash in on its celebrated lead actors. In that aim, the film is hugely successful.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1
Despite all its faults, "Bajirao Mastani" is propped up by the performances of Singh and Chopra; and for that alone, it's worth a watch. Just forget your history lessons inside the theatre.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7
There are some laugh-out-loud moments when the screenplay plummets to the absolute depths of Bollywood inanity. Apart from such moments of hilarity, "Hate Story 3" has absolutely nothing going for it.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8
Pan Nalin's "Angry Indian Goddesses" is a chick flick in denial – superficial and skin-deep as most other films, but fools itself into thinking that it is about woman power and women's rights by throwing big words at the audience and framing shots in slow motion.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3
"Tamasha" is not an easy film to slot. Ali is obviously trying to push his boundaries and it doesn't always work, but when it does, the result is breathtaking. For that alone, the film is worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2
Salman Khan saunters onto the screen, pretends to emote, and then bursts into song and dance. Sonam Kapoor is particularly grating – more than ten minutes of her on screen and you might want to look away. Right from Kapoor's attempts to appear subdued and coy, to the fake waterfall gushing under the palace, "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" is a spectacle that rings hollow. This is not the Diwali gift you were waiting for.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1
A man who could kill so many people and was able to amble out of jail after drugging every single guard has to be some sort of a genius and a psychopath, but Raman's narrative never quite hits the high note, unlike the background music in the film. Instead, "Main Aur Charles" is a disjointed effort that chooses to focus on the trimmings while neglecting the actual story.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4
Perhaps it is time Bollywood discards the candy floss version of the great Indian family and adopts this more real, searing version.
Full review ↗TRM 7.5
"Shaandaar" has good locations, jazzy dance numbers and lots of glitz and shine, but if you break down the surface, what stands exposed is its completely vacant centre. It would be funny if it wasn't such a tragic waste of talent.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
The lead actors – debutante Anushka and Diganth – stutter through their performances, and a coterie of character actors mouth mindless lines and act out ridiculous situations as if they are sleepwalking. Rishi Kapoor makes a fleeting appearance as a benevolent stranger, but he seems out of sorts in a screenplay as hackneyed as this one. With its bad jokes and mediocre dialogue, this pullav – to use another cliché – is unpalatable.
Full review ↗TRM 2.9
The biggest problem with "Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2″ isn't that it stereotypes women, it doesn't even do it in a way that makes you laugh.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2
For all its positives, "Talvar" fails to keep that distance, and therefore compromises its ability to be an impartial, unbiased chronicle of what is India's most sensational murder case.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2
Bhandarkar's stories might have had their showtime, but they're passé now and "Calendar Girls" is an example of a film-maker who has run out of ideas.
Full review ↗TRM 3.2
This is misogyny and regression masquerading as comedy, and Sharma seems to be too busy trying to morph into a Hindi film hero to employ his famous comic timing to good effect. Unless you are a fan of Sharma and his somewhat questionable humour, this film seems like a joke gone wrong.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4
This is a movie meant for those who already believe that the protagonist, who is also the real-life spiritual leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, is God incarnate. If it hoped to convert others into believing so, it does a very bad job of it. In the movie, the pot-bellied, hirsute hero who wears the most psychedelic clothes known to mankind can turn bullets into a crown, swords into rose petals, produce electricity from the palm of his hand; and while doing all this, gambol in meadows with bunnies as women dance in the background. Rajnikanth can take a back seat.
Full review ↗TRM 2.0
"Katti Batti" is a film that tries too hard to be "cool" and ends up falling on its face.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0
Quadri tries to paint a picture of a lawless town and how this group of youngsters benefit from it and later pay the price for it, but his focus is missing. Like an errant driver, he keeps veering off the path, never sure which direction he should be taking. There are some moments of dry humour, and actors Jaideep Ahlawat and Shadaab Kamal distinguish themselves from the rest of the cast. But these are just a couple of positives that are not enough to keep this ship from sinking.
Full review ↗TRM 4.2
That comic relief, though unintentional, is welcome in a film that otherwise provides no entertainment. It is only in the closing credits of "Hero", when co-producer Salman Khan appears on screen, do you get the feeling that there is a star in the film.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9
The climax, with its marauding camels and a crazed-looking Shiney Ahuja (in his comeback role), is a mess. "Welcome Back" is sporadically funny, one that ebbs and flows; but it just about passes the 'guilty pleasure' test thanks to Kapoor and Patekar.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5
"Phantom" is a run-of-the-mill action thriller that fails to take its rather clever idea and make it rise higher. Instead, like a Phantom, it disappears into thin air.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2
Even an actor as accomplished as Nawazuddin Siddiqui seems to have given in to the shrill tone of the film, turning in what is perhaps his weakest performance so far in what should have been a meaty role. Stilted by the choppy screenplay, he is unable to bring Manjhi and his obsession to life. Radhika Apte, who plays Manjhi's wife Phaguniya, looks luminous but has little else to do.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8
...should never have been made and no one should have to sit through the travesty that it is. Avoid at all costs.
Full review ↗TRM 3.4
There are so many unnecessary elements in "Brothers" that every time you hear the sickening crunch of a bone being broken in a fight sequence, you wish Malhotra had stuck to reproducing the original. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
"Bangistan" is a truly misguided attempt at satirizing religion. It neither engages, nor entertains.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9
Kamat's film works well if you haven't seen the original. Otherwise, this remake might fall a tad short.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5
"Masaan" is full of small details – the dialect that the characters speak and what they eat and how they behave are all part of the tapestry. Ghaywan doesn't overstate his points, and even though the resolution he finds for his characters is predictable, their journey is interesting enough to make up for a cliched ending.
Full review ↗TRM 7.7
Unlike the superstar's previous avatars, this hero has a coherent story and a sketched out part, making "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" a huge improvement over Khan's recent films. In spite of some soppy dialogue and a jingoistic end, the film is an easy, breezy watch, which you might enjoy even if you are not a die-hard Salman Khan fan.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6
The film, produced by Karan Johar and Anil Thadani, is an adrenaline rush, a spectacle of the kind we haven't seen from an Indian film-maker before and hopefully it is a sign of good things to come. Rajamouli ends the film with a cliffhanger so that you buy tickets to the sequel that comes out next year.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2
Subhash Kapoor's "Guddu Rangeela" is one of those films that are middling, unremarkable, and trivialize a serious matter.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1
Varun Dhawan stand outs among the cast because everyone else around him is mediocre. As an ambitious and earnest dancer, his character is graceful and fluid. Except for the honest note he strikes, the rest of the film could have been just a bunch of music videos and no one would have been the wiser.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4
This is Akhtar's weakest film yet, because she tries to tell too many stories at once and tells none entirely. Besides the performances, what keeps this ship afloat is the cinematography. Carlos Catalan's camera is the actual fly on the wall that tells you everything you need to know about this poor little rich family.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3
In the end, you only wish Warsi would get better roles and better films that do justice to his talent, rather than this hackneyed mess of a film.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9
Kangana Ranaut walks away with the entire film, playing both Tanu and Kusum with panache, in what is probably the defining female performance of 2015 (in a year already filled with many). Yet, even she cannot salvage this film in the end. Half done, in this case, is just half-baked and certainly not fit to be consumed.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1
This might not be your everyday Bollywood romance, but it is one that should be celebrated, because it is a love story that is rooted in reality.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
...a dated film, both in look and feel, and the cast seems to know it too. They all ham it up like the Bollywood actors of the 1980s. Kumar is required to throw in a few punches, which he manages to do with aplomb, but other than that, doesn't put in much effort.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
Only Kalki Koechlin salvages the film in these moments with her understated and sensitive portrayal of a girl who is unabashed about her sexuality and unafraid to explore it. She embodies Laila, and therefore makes her story believable.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7
...a multi-lingual film that many will need subtitles to watch, but it is one of the best films of 2015. Do not miss this one.
Full review ↗TRM 8.1
Like his character, Hashmi's charm is beginning to flicker and disappear, and playing the same character over and over again is only making it worse. Dastur walks away with more lines and more screen space than the leading man, but doesn't make much use of it, giving an insipid performance that is in keeping with the film's tone.
Full review ↗TRM 3.2
Rajput immerses himself as Bakshy and comes out on top, but the film itself never manages to soar, despite threatening to do so many times. The trimmings on this one are plenty, but it's the meat that is missing.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5
"NH10" scares, thrills and entertains throughout its 115 minutes. It also suggests that Bollywood finally might have turned a corner this year, and is ready to churn out films that more faithfully reflect the country we inhabit – the whole country.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
Raghavan takes one of the most worn-in genres in Bollywood and makes it fresh. Raghavan questions the nature of revenge, he questions whether the revenge justifies the crime, and whether our ideas of good and evil might need a rehaul. In an age when an eye for an eye is considered fair game, "Badlapur" makes us wonder if there is any point in keeping score.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9
Apart from its one-line plot, Tevar doesn't offer much in terms of story. Sharma's treatment of a much-flogged genre and subject are no different than many others before him. Instead of choosing to be economical about his narrative, Sharma adds too many distractions, and thus dilutes the limited effectiveness of this genre. If only he had managed to tell his story quickly and effectively, Tevar wouldn't have been as excruciating and tiresome.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6
"Ugly" is a disturbing film which will make you squirm in your seat. But if you don't mind that, it is worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2
The message might be noble, but the narrative is weak, and this is perhaps the weakest of Hirani's films. His trademark humour is sparse; and inspite of Anushka Sharma's spirited portrayal of a reporter who helps PK, and Khan's over-earnest performance as the protagonist, the film is a tedious watch.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4
At 88 minutes, Sulemani Keeda (Hindi street slang for "pain in the ass") doesn't feel laborious, but it also doesn't make any profound or memorable points. Just like its characters, it ambles along towards some sort of a conclusion. Along the way, it makes you laugh, but that is about all it achieves.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
With "Action Jackson", Bollywood's masala entertainer just got uglier and louder, and, if past audience reactions are anything to go by, is well on its way to box office glory.
Full review ↗TRM 2.6
The only happy ending here is when you walk out of the theatre, having survived the ordeal that is this film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3
If only Kumar were the main plot. When the movie returns to the randy old scarecrows, it feels like an anti-climax and just one more hackneyed, derivative film in a Bollywood library that's already brimming with them. That said, if eye candy is your thing and you want two Yo Yo Honey Singh songs in your soundtrack instead of just one, you could do worse than "The Shaukeens."
Full review ↗TRM 4.9
If you must watch this film, then tell yourself that "I am feeling alright, because it's a nonsense ki night."
Full review ↗TRM 5.4
Acharya tries to pack in themes like sectarian violence and corrupt politicians amidst much sermonising, but the film falls flat on its face because there is too much going on. In the end, this is about a beautiful and intelligent entrepreneur whose reason for being is your right to get reliable upload and download quality.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8
"Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola" is a disappointing film, one that could have been so much more.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7
The script too is amateurishly written. There are hardly any plot points, just a showcase of Roshan's good looks and dancing abilities (you can't be a burglar if you have two left feet), and a plot twist involving the diamond that trumps Vidya Balan's "baby" in "Kahaani" in terms of sacred MacGuffins. Thankfully, he has enough charm to make us stomach the film, but not enough to steal our hearts.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3
Haider has a lot of things going for it, but it doesn't live up to what it could have been. In that way, it's a little like Hamlet's description of his his new step-father, the naughty uncle Claudius: "A little more than kin, and less than kind."
Full review ↗TRM 7.1
"Khoobsurat" is a harmless film, one that doesn't say much and doesn't have much to offer in terms of a cinematic experience, but doesn't scar you for life either. If you don't mind a bit of shallow romance, and pretty people falling in love, this might be the film for you.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
"Finding Fanny", for all its flaws, is a rarity in Bollywood. A not-too-long English film with characters you would not find easily. If only Adajania had the courage to go all the way and tell the full story of these five characters, it would have been a great film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
Just like "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", "Mary Kom" neglects the sport at the centre of the story and resorts to cheap tricks. Mary Kom is a travesty of a movie because it misses an opportunity to tell a great story, and dumbs it down to such an extent that every nuance, every bit of context and every bit of truth is obliterated.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1
TRM 6.8
Like India's democratic system, "Bhoothnath Returns" has some noticeable flaws, but it does inject enough faith for viewers to cheer it on.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8
The comedy just gets more tedious and unfunny as the film progresses. Except for a couple of jokes, nothing, and I mean nothing, is salvageable in this disaster of a film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
"Youngistaan" simplifies things to a large extent, and never seems to be able to decide whether it is a romance or a political thriller. As a result, it ends up being neither. Neha Sharma comes across as whiny and petulant like her character is expected to be, but Bhagnani demonstrates a semblance of screen presence in some scenes. If you want to watch a real political thriller, then rent a DVD of "House of Cards". This one is just pretending.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8
The ending seems rushed, but "Ankhon Dekhi" is still a film that deserves a viewing.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7
For some unadulterated filmmaking which we don't see too often, make it a point to watch this one.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3
The film works as a half-hearted attempt at re-creating cinema of the past, but the temptation to sanitise that raw anger is what spoils it for "Gunday".
Full review ↗TRM 4.9
There is a funny idea in here somewhere, and it is good enough for a sitcom. But when you stretch it into a two-and-half-hour film, things are bound to get dull. If you are one of those people who enjoy the jokes that appear in your SMS inbox, perhaps you might enjoy this film. If not, avoid this one.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6
This is a fun film, and the lead performance makes a difference. After "Dedh Ishqiya", "Hasee Toh Phasee", "Highway" and now "Queen", it seems Bollywood is finally getting rid of the coy, virtuous heroine for good. That might be the best thing that's happened this year.
Full review ↗TRM 7.8
This is one of those films that thinks it achieves a higher purpose and stands for oppressed women everywhere. But it's the complete opposite. What's more, it isn't even entertaining cinema.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5
...an unusual romantic comedy, but for some powerhouse performances and genuinely good humour, this film is worth it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1
Khan's character claims to stand for women's rights, but thinks nothing of commenting on a woman's underwear. He rages against politicians for blocking traffic and inconveniencing the public, but rides his motorbike onto a crowded railway station platform. If you accept that there won't be a semblance of sense in the screenplay, and that the two-and-half hour film is essentially a showreel for Khan to show off his sculpted body, action moves and dance steps, then perhaps you can enjoy the madness that is "Jai Ho".
Full review ↗TRM 5.2
To give away any more of the plot would be unfair, but suffice it to say that the quirky characters are why the film seems so engaging. As Muniya, Begum Para's confidante and shadow, Huma Qureshi puts in a confident performance, but there are so many such performances in the film, it is hard to pick one.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4
Styled as somewhat of a surreal comedy, Tewari's film has some bizarre situations that are impossible to make sense of or make us laugh.
Full review ↗TRM 2.5
Hyped as the biggest release of the year, and as the slickest action thriller to come out of India, "Dhoom 3" turns out to be a damp squib. For an action film, there is hardly any action – instead the 172 minute film is laden with an insipid romance and many other distractions that add nothing to the story except lengthen it further.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
... a film that must have been funny when it was conceived, but for a plot that hinges on a goldfish and a plant, it needed some skilled direction and writing to make it work. This film has neither.
Full review ↗TRM 3.5
Like his characters, who live their lives with no realization of how the real world functions, Malhotra shows no wisdom or depth in "Gori Tere Pyaar Mein". Avoid at all costs.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
Why wouldn't the formula of violence, sex masquerading as romance and low-level humour work, when our audiences have told us that it will? Take that combination and milk it dry without stopping to consider creativity or originality. Rope in an actor who sees a chance to cash in.
Full review ↗TRM 3.1
...is not a realistic film, nor does it play out as well as it should. But you cannot take your eyes off the screen. With this film, Bhansali is back to his best — depicting the spectacle of falling in love. No one does it better than him. Forgive the flaws and savour this one.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4
TRM 4.9
"D-Day" isn't the perfect thriller and the ending degenerates quickly into being jingoistic and loud, what with the villain and hero spouting homilies about the "new India". But despite its flaws, "D-Day" is a film that works.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7
"Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" could have been an inspiring, uplifting film about one man's journey, but Mehra botches it up completely. Sport has enough inherent drama. All he had to do was show that. Mehra chose to play games instead, and ruined it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6
