Like Shahid, Siras’s fate was also tragic. He was found dead in his apartment, just a few days after he won the legal battle in Allahabad High Court and the day when the University sent a letter reinstating him. Apurva Asrani, screenwriter and also the editor, and Mehta deserve credit for reminding viewers of a forgotten, reluctant and wronged hero who happens to be gay. Their biggest accomplishment is that they have treated him with respect and sensitivity. Qualities we, as a nation, could all do with.

Neerja is a dream role for any actress and Sonam Kapoor pulls it off, delivering her career-best performance as she assuredly plays an abused wife, a beloved daughter and a flight attendant caught in her worst nightmare.

Visaaranai is an emotionally intense and engrossing drama which gets its point across without being overly preachy.

Titli works because it is not just a poignant character study of an angry young man but also an incisive and intense family drama.

After Chaitanya Tamhane, who impressed with his sterling debut Court, Masaan sees the birth of yet another talented filmmaker in Neeraj Ghaywan. Masaan may not be as pitch perfect a first film as Court but it is not far behind in its accomplishments. Tackling topics such as love, loss, redemption with skill and ease, Ghaywan is a filmmaker in command of the narrative and the world his characters inhabit.

In what’s a gloomy watch, the moments of respite come when Amy is in the recording studio, crooning some of her classics or talking about music. “I was sick of the crap and watered-down stuff,” she says explaining why she started writing her own songs. The Grammy win for Song of the Year draws tears of joy. It’s fitting then that Kapadia ends the film with Valerie, which was Winehouse’s last great recording. Amy may be gone, but her music remains.

In Baahubali, SS Rajamouli manages to break many rules even as he stays close to the formulaic path. The film has all the essential ingredients of a mythical epic.

McCarthy is likeable even as she hurls abuses. This is a riotous comedy with women power at its amusing best.

Ultimately, Kaakka Muttai celebrates the joys of childhood and the vivid imagination of kids, who find a way to reach their goal even if it is the most arduous one.

Piku brings to attention the changing trends in developing India in which young people living in metros struggle to make time for themselves and attend to needs of their ageing parents. There are some memorable scenes in which characters are unafraid to be vulnerable as they let go off their emotions. Credit goes to Chaturvedi that she does so simply, movingly, delightfully and more so in an unpredictable manner. Piku is a lovely tale which will touch your heart even if it does so by talking about bowel troubles.