Instead of sticking to social satire, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha takes on the mantle of an extended propaganda film—it’s just as tiresome, but with better production values and performances.

This is a Gal Gadot show all the way. She’s athletic and has undeniable screen presence. May this be the start of an empowered female superhero franchise.

The action moves smoothly, even though the songs do slow down the narrative. You hardly feel the 171-minute running time, nor do you tire of seeing Prabhas and Anushka Shetty on the screen. Shetty, in particular, elevates the acting standard as the principled, independent, free-spirited princess Devasena who is dexterous with the bow and arrow. Her relationship with Baahubali leads to the most significant conflict in the plot.

It barely works in this case largely due to the script, but in part because of Pannu’s deadpan expressions and in part because of director Nair overtelling it. Much more effort has gone into creating an authentic milieu than crafting an engaging character study in the foreground.

M. Night Shyamalan comes close to recapturing his former touch…

Kung Fu Yoga could have been a fun mash-up of Chinese martial arts and Indian acrobatics. But for that it would have needed a script, which seems to have been misplaced, and some decent performances. Chan shows some sparkle with his swift movements and appealing shyness in the presence of Patani, who delivers lines like she’s reading a speech.

Then there’s Damon, as a medieval Jon Snow. You can only surmise that there must have been a fat pay cheque for the Oscar-nominated actor to be a part of something so undercooked and soulless.

Though the scenes are repetitive, Sharma does succeed in walking the edge between intensity and airiness and transporting the audience into this simple and confined world. As the uneasiness builds, you brace yourself for an explosive end.

Unfortunately, when it does come there is a sense that everything that preceded it was designed to lead up to it and, as grisly as it is, like everything before, this scene too does not move you. I didn’t feel for any of the characters and I was let down by this emotional disinterest.

As unimaginative as its title, Office Christmas Party starts strong but declines into nonsense.

If a breezy, highly styled, armchair travel rom-com is your mood, then Befikre might be the ticket. But if you prefer insightful, warming and witty, skip this.