LORD CURZON KI HAVELI shines with Rasika Dugal but its niche appeal and low buzz may limit box office success Movie Review: LORD CURZON KI HAVELI shines with Rasika

Star Cast: Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, Zoha Rahman, Paresh Pahuja

Director: Anshuman Jha 

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli Movie Review Synopsis: LORD CURZON KI HAVELI is the story of four South Asians who meet for dinner. London-based Dr Basukinath (Paresh Pahuja) aka Basuki is an Indian-born man who has secured British citizenship. He is married to Ira (Rasika Dugal). Both go to a remote mansion on the outskirts of the city to meet Ira's friend Sanya (Zoha Rahman). They reach the manor and are welcomed by Sanya and her happy-go-lucky boyfriend Rohit (Arjun Mathur). Basuki feels out of place at this meeting and his controlling behaviour towards Ira spoils the mood of the get-together. Things go awry when Basuki enquires about a giant trunk lying in the dining hall and Rohit jokes that it contains a dead body. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli Movie Story Review: Bikas Ranjan Mishra's story is bizarre. Bikas Ranjan Mishra's screenplay has its share of engaging and dramatic moments, but also leaves viewers scratching their heads. Bikas Ranjan Mishra's dialogues are sharp.

Anshuman Jha's direction is okay. To give credit where it's due, he manages to build the eerie setting. Technically, the film is satisfactory and he makes good use of this aspect. He also touches upon immigration, patriarchy etc. and these elements add to the narrative.

However, the film is absurdist in nature and that immediately restricts its audience. Also, the bewildering moments are not convincing despite the genre of the film. There have been movies in this space that were far more compelling than this one. Also, those films have been consumed already by the target audience and hence, it remains to be seen whether they’ll be interested in checking out LORD CURZON KI HAVELI. The negligible buzz is another minus point. 

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli – Official Trailer | Rasika Dugal | Arjun Mathur | Paresh Pahuja | Tanmay Dhanania | Anshuman Jha | Oct10

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli Movie Review Performances: Rasika Dugal is the best performer in the film, hands down. Others also do well, but she takes it to another level thanks to her performance and also her character. Arjun Mathur has never played a character of this sort before and he also puts up an impressive act. Paresh Pahuja is acceptable as an upright, no-nonsense man. Even he enters a new territory and comes out with flying colours. Zoha Rahman delivers a confident performance. Tanmay Dhanania (Pizza Delivery Guy) lends able support. Garrick Hagon (Henry Curzon) is okay. 

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli movie music and other technical aspects: Simon Fransquet's background score has a Beethoven touch. It is minimal yet effective. Ramanuj Dutta and Jean Marc Selva's cinematography is fixed with little movement for a better impact. Mandira Shukla's costumes are apt for the characters. Tiya Tejpal's production design is realistic. Aasif Pathan and Manas Mittal's editing is fine. 

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, LORD CURZON KI HAVELI rests on a brilliant performance by Rasika Dugal and a few amusing and dramatic moments. However, the niche appeal, negligible buzz and the dull pre-Diwali period will greatly impact its prospects at the ticket window.

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THE SMASHING MACHINE spotlights Dwayne Johnson but may struggle at the box office Movie Review: THE SMASHING MACHINE spotlights Dwayne Johnson

Star Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt

Director: Benny Safdie 

The Smashing Machine Movie Review Synopsis: THE SMASHING MACHINE is the story of an athlete. The year is 1997. Mixed-martial arts and UFC champion, Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) wins a championship in São Paulo, Brazil, catapulting him to stardom. He is living-in with Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt) in Phoenix, Arizona. The fate of UFC in the USA hangs in the balance due to criticism from politicians and reluctance from cable operators to air the matches. This is when Mark accepts the offer to fight at the Pride Fighting Championships in Japan. It turns out to be a great platform, but also comes with its share of challenges. Meanwhile, Mark struggles with substance abuse and also gets into frequent fights with Dawn. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

The Smashing Machine Movie Story Review: THE SMASHING MACHINE is based on the 2002 documentary THE SMASHING MACHINE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF EXTREME FIGHTER MARK KERR. Benny Safdie's story is intriguing. Benny Safdie's screenplay is unconventional. Though it's gripping, it won't suit the tastes of a section of the moviegoers. The dialogues are realistic. As it happens with films released by PVR Inox Pictures, there are no subtitles and hence, some dialogues might not be easy to comprehend.

Benny Safdie's direction goes against the norms. The film intentionally gives you a feeling of watching a documentary. In many scenes, especially where Mark is training or where Mark is interacting with Dawn, one feels like a fly on the wall, witnessing real-life footage from a person's life. Even the camera moves accordingly. A few scenes stand out like Dawn getting teary-eyed while trying to click a picture of Mark and others, Mark's breakdown in the hospital, Mark reliving his coach of pain etc.

On the flipside, the documentary style of filmmaking makes THE SMASHING MACHINE a niche affair. A few scenes seem unintentionally funny, especially the fights between Mark and Dawn. The biggest problem with the film is its climax. It is abrupt and is not a fitting finale. Agreed that there’s nothing conventional in this film, but the ending proves to be an incomplete and hence, an underwhelming affair. 

The Smashing Machine Movie Review Performances: Dwayne Johnson is a big reason why this film is watchable. Known for mass-appealing roles, the actor is seen here in a never-before-seen avatar and delivers a ‘smashing’ (pun intended) performance. There’s buzz that he might be nominated for the Oscars and it’ll be fully justified. Emily Blunt, as expected, plays a difficult role with ease. She brings the various aspects of her character alive perfectly. Ryan Bader (Mark Coleman) has an important role and does great. Oleksandr Usyk (Igor Vovchanchyn) leaves a mark, especially in the scene where he defeats Mark and thereafter. 

The Smashing Machine movie music and other technical aspects: Nala Sinephro's music is minimal. Maceo Bishop's cinematography is as real as it gets. James Chinlund's production design is straight out of life. Heidi Bivens' costumes are authentic and glamorous in the case of Emily. Benny Safdie's editing is decent. 

The Smashing Machine Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THE SMASHING MACHINE presents Dwayne Johnson like never before. However, its documentary-style treatment, niche appeal, and limited buzz are likely to restrict its box office potential.

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TRON: ARES shines with stunning visuals and music but stumbles with weak writing and an underwhelming finale. Movie Review: TRON ARES dazzles with visuals and music

Star Cast: Jared Leto, Greta Lee

Director: Joachim Rønning 

Tron: Ares Movie Review Synopsis: TRON: ARES is the story of a highly sophisticated Program creating havoc in the real world. Eve Kim (Greta Lee) is the current CEO of Encom who manages to locate the 'Permanence Code' created by Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges). She hopes to use the code for humanitarian purposes, more so after the death of her sister due to cancer. Meanwhile, Encom's competitor Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters) of Dillinger Systems has created Ares (Jared Leto), a super-intelligent program. Julian hopes to make a killing by selling the technology behind Ares. However, he has hidden from the investors that Ares can leave the Grid and be in the real world for only 29 minutes. Before the world can know about it, Julian looks for the 'Permanence Code'; it would solve this issue once and for all. He finds out that Eve has located the code and is carrying it with her in a drive. Ares is asked to go behind her and get the drive at any cost. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Tron: Ares Movie Story Review: David DiGilio and Jesse Wigutow's story touches upon the dangers of AI and hence, it is relevant. Jesse Wigutow's screenplay has issues, but overall, it is imaginative and gripping. The dialogues are normal.

Joachim Rønning's direction is decent. On the positive side, he has given the film a very stylish treatment. The duration is kept in check (119 minutes) and there's no dull moment. The bike chase sets the mood, while the chase that takes place in the Grid is also memorable. Fans of the series will be excited as the makers have given a nice ode to the previous two parts, more so to TRON [1982].

On the other hand, the film starts on a shaky note. Too much information is thrown at the viewers, and it takes time to process it all and understand the conflict. Since it deals with science and gaming, not all will be able to properly decipher. The ending is underwhelming and lastly, the series doesn't have a following in India. Unlike FINAL DESTINATION, this is not a film one can enjoy without watching the earlier films in the series. There's a definite connection and this cuts down its target audience. 

Tron: Ares Movie Review Performances: Jared Leto gets his act right. He’s apt for the part and underplays the character neatly, which was a big requirement. Greta Lee has a crucial role and delivers a fine performance, though she gets overshadowed by Jared. Evan Peters is decent, while Jodie Turner-Smith (Athena) leaves a tremendous mark, more so in the second half. Gillian Anderson (Elisabeth Dillinger) makes her presence felt. Hasan Minhaj (Ajay Singh) and Arturo Castro (Seth Flores) are decent and Selene Yun (Tess Kim) doesn’t have much to do. Jeff Bridges is lovely in the cameo. 

Tron: Ares movie music and other technical aspects: Nine Inch Nails' music is one of the USPs. It elevates impact big time. Jeff Cronenweth's cinematography is breathtaking. The action is another highlight. The VFX and Darren Gilford's production design are top-class. Christine Bieselin Clark and Alix Friedberg's costumes are appropriate. Tyler Nelson's editing is too quick in the beginning, but overall, its fair. 

Tron: Ares Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, TRON: ARES delivers some exhilarating moments elevated by its pulsating music and stunning VFX. However, inconsistent writing and a lacklustre finale prevent it from reaching its full potential. With the franchise’s limited fan base in India, its box office impact is likely to remain modest despite its visual brilliance.

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Blending devotion, power, and destiny KANTARA: A LEGEND – CHAPTER 1 is an experience Movie Review: KANTARA: A LEGEND – CHAPTER 1 is an experience

Star Cast: Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah

Director: Rishab Shetty

Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 Movie Review Synopsis: KANTARA: A LEGEND – CHAPTER 1 is the story of devotion and greed. The story is set more than a thousand years before the events of KANTARA [2002]. Berme (Rishab Shetty) lives in a jungle among villagers who worship the daiva. The kingdom of Bangra is located nearby and it is ruled by Rajashekhar (Jayaram). As a child, he had witnessed his father being killed when he tried to usurp the land of the jungle residents and also the power of the daiva. Hence, he had a strict policy that his army shouldn't venture into the forest and harass its residents. But when his son Kulshekhar (Gulshan Devaiah) turns king, he makes several changes in the policy. He goes for a hunt in the forest. His army senses the presence of a divine being and they run away. Berme is angry with the king for his actions. He infiltrates the kingdom and causes chaos. This is when he comes across Kanakavathi (Rukmini Vasanth), the sister of Kulshekhar. Kanakavathi and Berme develop a soft spot for each other. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 Movie Story Review: Rishab Shetty's story (co-written by Anirudh Mahesh, Shanil Gowtham) is detailed and very different from the rest of the Pan-India films. Rishab Shetty's screenplay (co-written by Anirudh Mahesh, Shanil Gowtham) is very captivating and the religious element is nicely infused into the narrative. Rishab Shetty's dialogues are sharp and well-worded. However, the size of subtitles in the Kannada dialogues is tiny and makes it tedious to read. Also, the makers should have provided subtitles in Hindi as well as English. Moreover, the background score and songs overpower the dialogues in some scenes.

Rishab Shetty's direction is superb. This time, the scale is much larger than the first part. Often, filmmakers fail to do justice to the script as the grandeur takes precedence. Rishab proves to be an exception. The focus is clearly on the story while he cleverly uses the budget to enhance his storytelling. He also adds interesting, humorous scenes to entice the audience; the chariot scene in the first half is striking. But he reserves the best for the second half. The twist comes as a bolt from the blue and it’ll be next to impossible for anyone to guess how the pre-climax would unfold. As for the climax, it is a masterstroke. Rishab had set a benchmark with the finale of KANTARA. Believe it or not, he elevates the impact this time in the climax by many notches. It is sure to create a frenzy in cinemas.

On the flipside, the trailer doesn’t do justice to the greatness of the film and it resulted in low buzz. The first half is just fine and should have been trimmed for a better impact. The songs don’t work. Lastly, though the makers try their best in simplifying the proceedings, the film still gets a bit  confusing in some scenes.

Kantara: A Legend Chapter – 1 | Official Hindi Trailer | Rishab Shetty | Ajaneesh | Hombale Films

Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 Movie Review Performances: Rishab Shetty delivers an electrifying performance. When he appears on screen, one can’t notice anything else; such is his presence. Yet again, he plays a challenging role with ease. Rukmini Vasanth looks lovely and performance-wise, she springs a surprise. Gulshan Devaiah is superb in the role of a royal who is evil yet a buffoon. He gets that aspect right perfectly. Jayaram, as always, leaves a tremendous mark. Prakash Thuminad (Chenna) raises a lot of laughs. Pramod Shetty and others do well.

Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 movie music and other technical aspects: B Ajaneesh Loknath's music is well incorporated in the film and is in sync with the film’s theme. But it is not of the chartbuster variety. 'Brahmakalasha' and 'Rebel' are the two songs that stand out. B Ajaneesh Loknath's background score is much better.

Arvind S Kashyap's cinematography is spectacular. Banglan's production design is quite praiseworthy. It is appropriate for the era depicted and at the same time, the sets don’t look like a clone of other period movies. Pragathi Shetty's costumes are rustic and royal, as per the requirement. Arjun Raj, Todor Lazarov (Juji), Ram-Laxman, Mahesh mathew, Mithun Singh Rajput's action adds to the impact. Suresh's editing could have been slicker, especially in the first half.

Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, KANTARA: A LEGEND – CHAPTER 1 is not just a prequel; it’s an experience that deepens the world Rishab Shetty created while taking it to far greater cinematic heights. With a story that blends devotion, power, and destiny, the film grips you with its spine-chilling pre-climax and thunderous climax, leaving behind an unforgettable impact. At the box office, it has the potential to pick up through strong word of mouth and emerge as one of the biggest hits of the year.

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SANSKARI KI TULSI KUMARI is a fun-filled entertainer aimed at youth and families Movie Review: SANSKARI KI TULSI KUMARI is an entertainer

Star Cast: Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rohit Saraf, Sanya Malhotra

Director: Shahshank Khaitan

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Movie Review Synopsis: SUNNY SANSKARI KI TULSI KUMARI is the story of madness at a wedding. Sunny (Varun Dhawan) is in love with Ananya (Sanya Malhotra) and decides to propose to her. She rejects his proposal, citing that they were in a situationship and hence, theirs was not a serious love affair. Also, she reveals that her marriage is fixed with Vikram Singh (Rohit Saraf) of Singh Industries. Sunny is heartbroken and stalks Vikram with the help of his friend Abhinav Sharma (Bantu). This is when they stumble upon the fact that Vikram broke up with Tulsi (Janhvi Kapoor). Sunny meets Tulsi and hatches a plan. They decide to show up at Vikram and Ananya’s wedding, to be held in Udaipur, and try to make them jealous, hoping that they would call off their marriage. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Movie Story Review: Shahshank Khaitan's story is fine and doesn’t have many plot points. Shahshank Khaitan's screenplay is fairly entertaining. He has peppered the film not just with fun moments but also with some serious and emotional sequences that keep the interest going. But at the same time, the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Shahshank Khaitan and Ishita Moitra's dialogues are one of the USPs, enhancing the laughter quotient.

Shahshank Khaitan's direction is light-hearted and mainstream. Despite the theme, he has ensured that the film looks as massy as possible. Moreover, the jokes thankfully land as intended and would be appreciated by the audience. The manner in which Sunny develops feelings for Tulsi and the manner in which Ananya and Vikram are confused about what they want makes for a superb watch. The finale is a bit unexpected and works well.

On the flipside, the makers showed too much of the story in the trailer. As a result, one anticipates what will happen next, at least in the first half. Secondly, the film stagnates in the beginning of the second half; the plot just doesn’t move ahead. Shashank and his team lost a golden opportunity with the jungle safari scene. One expects loads of entertainment at this point. Alas, the scene has no meat. The family angle and the track of Param (Akshay Oberoi) and Rakhi (Manini Chadda) seems forced and doesn’t smoothly flow into the narrative the way it did in a similar Dharma film in this space, namely ROCKY AUR RANI KII PREM KAHAANI [2023].

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari – Official Trailer | Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Movie Review Performances: Varun Dhawan gets back into the MAIN TERA HERO [2014] and DULHANIA space and thoroughly entertains. He dominates several scenes in the first half. Janhvi Kapoor looks ravishing and gets her act right. She is especially fine in the emotional scenes. Rohit Saraf looks dashing and as expected, delivers a sincere performance. Sanya Malhotra looks like a million bucks and makes her presence felt with panache. Maniesh Paul (Kuku) is too funny, while Abhinav Sharma lends able support. Akshay Oberoi is decent, but is let down by the writing. Manini Chadda, Nazneen Madan (Ananya's mother), Kavita Pais (Sunny's mother), Rohitashv Gour (Sunny's father), Dharna Durga (Dharna; Tulsi's friend in school) and others do well. Prajakta Koli (Dimple) is lovely in a cameo.

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari movie music and other technical aspects: Songs are peppy. 'Ishq Manzoor' is foot tapping and 'Bijuria' is better. But the impact of the latter is limited as it comes after the former and is, more or less, in the same space. 'Panwadi' is the best of the lot. 'Tumse Behtar' and 'Tu Hai Meri' are fair while 'Perfect' appears in the end credits. John Stewart Eduri's background score has a massy feel.

Manishnandan's cinematography is cinematic. Manish Malhotra, Kunal Rawal, Varsha Chandanani and Shilpa Makhija's costumes are very glamorous, while Kshamta Gutav and Swapnil Suraikar's production design is top-class. Manann Sagar and Charu Shree Roy's editing is slick.

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, SUNNY SANSKARI KI TULSI KUMARI is a fun-filled entertainer aimed at the youth and families. The film has every chance to draw crowds, even as it battles the mighty KANTARA: A LEGEND – CHAPTER 1. Word of mouth and the extended festive weekend will be key in determining how brightly this film shines at the box office.

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ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is politically charged yet unexpectedly entertaining Movie Review: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is politically charged.

Star Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

One Battle After Another Movie Review Synopsis: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is the story of a group of ex-revolutionaries facing a vicious enemy. Pat Calhoun (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his girlfriend Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor) are a part of a revolutionary group called 'French 75' that attempts to violently protest against the US government. While freeing illegal immigrants from a detention centre, Perfidia humiliates the commanding officer, Col. Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn). Lockjaw gets attracted to her and starts stalking the group, especially Perfidia. Soon, Perfidia gives birth to a baby girl and it leads to issues between her and Pat. While escaping from a bank robbery, Perfidia gets arrested. Pat runs away to a 'sanctuary city', Baktan Cross, with his daughter, Charlene. They assume the identities of Bob Ferguson and Willa (Chase Infiniti). All is going well in their life until one day, Lockjaw returns. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

One Battle After Another Movie Story Review: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is based on the novel 'Vineland' by Thomas Pynchon. Paul Thomas Anderson's story is unconventional. Paul Thomas Anderson's screenplay is edgy, though a few developments are hard to digest. The dialogues are sharp and full of expletives.

Paul Thomas Anderson's direction is hatke but still very commercial. He raises a serious topic, and moreover, the film has numerous political undertones. The entire Christmas Adventurers Club track and the questions asked to aspirants is quite astonishing. This and the way Pat, aka Bob, suffers once Lockjaw returns could have turned the film into serious fare, if it had been handled by some other director. But Paul Thomas Anderson peppers the narrative with lots of humour. The scenes where Bob forgets the cryptic password will bring the house down. Another strength of the narrative is that, despite its 162-minute runtime, it doesn't seem boring or stretched.

On the flipside, the goings-on in some places are bewildering. The actions of Avanti (Eric Schweig) in the pre-climax, for instance, are not entirely believable. The Christmas Adventurers Club office sequence makes for a shocking as well as amusing watch, but it’s not believable that they would go to such lengths for a simple job. Lastly, the limited buzz in India will affect collections.

One Battle After Another Movie Review Performances: Leonardo DiCaprio exhibits his brilliance yet again. This is unlike any other character he has played before. The way he gets into the skin of the character is something to be seen to be believed, especially in the scene where he’s paranoid. Sean Penn speaks a lot through his body and facial movements. It’s a performance that’s sure to get nominated at the Oscars in the Best Supporting Actor category. Teyana Taylor leaves a tremendous mark in a limited role. Chase Infiniti and Regina Hall (Deandra) lend able support. Eric Schweig, Shayna McHayle (Junglepussy), Paul Grimstad (Howard Sommerville aka Billy Goat), Tony Goldwyn (Virgil; who interviews Lockjaw for Christmas Adventurers Club), Jim Downey (Sandy Irvine), John Hoogenakker (Tim Smith) and Kevin Tighe (Roy More; oldest Christmas Adventurers Club member) do well. Carlos McFarland (Bluto; Willa's classmate) is hilarious.

One Battle After Another movie music and other technical aspects: Jonny Greenwood's music is unusual and sometimes contradicts the happenings on screen. Yet, it seems apt. Michael Bauman's cinematography is creative, while in the highway scenes, it is very immersive and cinematic. Florencia Martin's production design and Colleen Atwood's costumes are appropriate. Andy Jurgensen's editing is neat.

One Battle After Another Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is a politically charged yet unexpectedly entertaining ride. The powerhouse performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn could easily put them in the running for Oscar nominations. At the box office, it is likely to perform on the lines of SINNERS and WEAPONS, though competition from KANTARA: A LEGEND – CHAPTER 1 and SUNNY SANSKARI KI TULSI KUMARI next week could dent its momentum. Nevertheless, a strong word of mouth could help it sustain well in the long run.

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ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is a politically charged yet unexpectedly entertaining Movie Review: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is a politically charged.

Star Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

One Battle After Another Movie Review Synopsis: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is the story of a group of ex-revolutionaries facing a vicious enemy. Pat Calhoun (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his girlfriend Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor) are a part of a revolutionary group called 'French 75' that attempts to violently protest against the US government. While freeing illegal immigrants from a detention centre, Perfidia humiliates the commanding officer, Col. Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn). Lockjaw gets attracted to her and starts stalking the group, especially Perfidia. Soon, Perfidia gives birth to a baby girl and it leads to issues between her and Pat. While escaping from a bank robbery, Perfidia gets arrested. Pat runs away to a 'sanctuary city', Baktan Cross, with his daughter, Charlene. They assume the identities of Bob Ferguson and Willa (Chase Infiniti). All is going well in their life until one day, Lockjaw returns. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

One Battle After Another Movie Story Review: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is based on the novel 'Vineland' by Thomas Pynchon. Paul Thomas Anderson's story is unconventional. Paul Thomas Anderson's screenplay is edgy, though a few developments are hard to digest. The dialogues are sharp and full of expletives.

Paul Thomas Anderson's direction is hatke but still very commercial. He raises a serious topic, and moreover, the film has numerous political undertones. The entire Christmas Adventurers Club track and the questions asked to aspirants is quite astonishing. This and the way Pat, aka Bob, suffers once Lockjaw returns could have turned the film into serious fare, if it had been handled by some other director. But Paul Thomas Anderson peppers the narrative with lots of humour. The scenes where Bob forgets the cryptic password will bring the house down. Another strength of the narrative is that, despite its 162-minute runtime, it doesn't seem boring or stretched.

On the flipside, the goings-on in some places are bewildering. The actions of Avanti (Eric Schweig) in the pre-climax, for instance, are not entirely believable. The Christmas Adventurers Club office sequence makes for a shocking as well as amusing watch, but it’s not believable that they would go to such lengths for a simple job. Lastly, the limited buzz in India will affect collections.

One Battle After Another Movie Review Performances: Leonardo DiCaprio exhibits his brilliance yet again. This is unlike any other character he has played before. The way he gets into the skin of the character is something to be seen to be believed, especially in the scene where he’s paranoid. Sean Penn speaks a lot through his body and facial movements. It’s a performance that’s sure to get nominated at the Oscars in the Best Supporting Actor category. Teyana Taylor leaves a tremendous mark in a limited role. Chase Infiniti and Regina Hall (Deandra) lend able support. Eric Schweig, Shayna McHayle (Junglepussy), Paul Grimstad (Howard Sommerville aka Billy Goat), Tony Goldwyn (Virgil; who interviews Lockjaw for Christmas Adventurers Club), Jim Downey (Sandy Irvine), John Hoogenakker (Tim Smith) and Kevin Tighe (Roy More; oldest Christmas Adventurers Club member) do well. Carlos McFarland (Bluto; Willa's classmate) is hilarious.

One Battle After Another movie music and other technical aspects: Jonny Greenwood's music is unusual and sometimes contradicts the happenings on screen. Yet, it seems apt. Michael Bauman's cinematography is creative, while in the highway scenes, it is very immersive and cinematic. Florencia Martin's production design and Colleen Atwood's costumes are appropriate. Andy Jurgensen's editing is neat.

One Battle After Another Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is a politically charged yet unexpectedly entertaining ride. The powerhouse performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn could easily put them in the running for Oscar nominations. At the box office, it is likely to perform on the lines of SINNERS and WEAPONS, though competition from KANTARA: A LEGEND – CHAPTER 1 and SUNNY SANSKARI KI TULSI KUMARI next week could dent its momentum. Nevertheless, a strong word of mouth could help it sustain well in the long run.

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HOMEBOUND is an unflinching portrait of caste, class, and discrimination told with sensitivity Movie Review: HOMEBOUND is an unflinching portrait of caste, class, and discrimination

Star Cast: Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor

Director: Neeraj Ghaywan

Homebound Movie Review Synopsis: HOMEBOUND is the story of two friends. Mohammed Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa) reside in a small town in India. The former belongs to the minority community, while the latter is of a backward caste. They have faced discrimination all their life, and they decide to take the police recruitment exam. They feel that once they become police constables, society will respect them more and they’ll also have better earnings. With this idea, they attempt the exam. While on the way to the centre, they meet Sudha Bharti (Janhvi Kapoor), who’s also from a lower caste. Sparks fly between Chandan and Sudha and soon they begin a relationship. Meanwhile, the result of the police recruitment is delayed by more than a year due to a certain issue. Shoaib and Chandan are helpless and decide to do something in their lives rather than waiting forever for the result. While Shoaib takes up the job of a peon in a sales company, Chandan enrolls in a college to complete his graduation. One day, the police recruitment result finally arrives and their lives change, for better and for worse. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Homebound Movie Story Review: HOMEBOUND is based on the article 'Taking Amrit Home' written by Basharat Peer and published in The New York Times. Basharat Peer, Neeraj Ghaywan and Sumit Roy's story, inspired by real-life events, is impactful. Neeraj Ghaywan's screenplay is extremely captivating and straight out of life. Neeraj Ghaywan, Varun Dubey and Shreedhar Dubey's dialogues are conversational yet sharp.

Neeraj Ghaywan's direction is terrific. This is a film which is in a far more realistic zone than MASAAN [2015] in terms of treatment, minimal use of background score, etc. Often, filmmakers end up making films that are too niche or don't appeal to the vast majority of the audience while depicting stark reality. Neeraj doesn’t take that route. The film strikes a fine balance where the events are depicted in a truthful and non-commercial manner and at the same time, it doesn’t get boring or abstract. The characters are quite relatable and so are their struggles. Neeraj also shows his brilliance in the dramatic and emotional scenes. The scenes at the pond are great, but two scenes that stand out are Shoaib being humiliated in the farmhouse while Chandan being discriminated against for his caste in the government office. Neeraj reserves the best for the third act. It is the best part of the film and extremely moving. The final scene is apt.

On the flipside, one gets a feeling in the first 30-35 minutes that a certain sequence has been chucked out of the final cut. One can sense when one realizes that Chandan and Sudha are dating. Moreover, the trailer consists of certain scenes, of the trio roaming around and making merry. These scenes are not a part of the film. Ideally, when a trailer has been released so close to the release, it is not fair to incorporate scenes that are not present in the final version. It amounts to misleading the audience, albeit to a small extent. Secondly, there’s no denying that discrimination exists in our society, but in some scenes, it doesn’t seem convincing. Lastly, despite an engaging narrative, HOMEBOUND is still a film for a niche audience. This can affect its box office outcome.

Homebound – Official Trailer | Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor | Neeraj Ghaywan

Homebound Movie Review Performances: Ishaan Khatter has had a great body of work in a short span of time and HOMEBOUND easily ranks as his best performance to date. He has slipped into the part flawlessly and the scene where he cries, once at the Surat rooftop and the other in the climax, elevates these two key sequences to another level. Vishal Jethwa, too, puts up a terrific act; watch out for how he manages to express a lot through his expressions. Janhvi Kapoor delivers a worthy performance. However, her screen time is limited. Harshika Parmar (Vaishali; Chandan's sister) is a great find and leaves a huge mark. The same goes for Shalini Vatsa (Phool; Chandan's mother). Vijay Vikram Singh (Shoaib's top boss), Yogendra Vikram Singh (employee with a communal mindset), Shreedhar Dubey (Shoaib's immediate and kind-hearted boss) and Pankaj Dubey (Shoaib's father Hassan Ali) also do very well. Chandan K Anand (Haroon Nawaz; cop) is fair but doesn’t have much to do.

Homebound movie music and other technical aspects: Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor's background mucis is minimal and effective. Pratik Shah's cinematography is marvelous. The bird's-eye view shots, especially, are breathtaking. Khyatee Kanchan's production design and Rohit Chaturvedi's costumes are very real. Nitin Baid's editing is smooth.

Homebound Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, HOMEBOUND is an unflinching portrait of caste, class, and systemic discrimination, told with sensitivity and cinematic restraint. Neeraj Ghaywan crafts a film that resonates long after it ends, thanks to its haunting final act and emotionally charged performances by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. The Oscar buzz has amplified the film’s hype; however, given its niche nature, it will rely heavily on strong word of mouth to make a mark at the box office.

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NISHAANCHI is a gritty, engaging ride, however the long runtime, limited buzz, and competition could affect the film. Movie Review: NISHAANCHI is a gritty, engaging ride

Star Cast: Aaishvary Thackeray, Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar

Director: Anurag Kashyap 

Nishaanchi Movie Review Synopsis: NISHAANCHI is the story of twin brothers. The year is 2006. Babloo aka Tony Montana (Aaishvary Thackeray), his twin brother Dabloo (Aaishvary Thackeray) and his girlfriend Rinku (Vedika Pinto) attempt to rob a bank in Kanpur. Tony gets caught while Dabloo and Rinku escape. Tony is imprisoned for 7 years. Since Dabloo hid his face with a monkey cap during the bank robbery, none of the witnesses identify him. The cop, Kamal Ajeeb (Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub), tries his best to extract from Tony about his accomplice but he doesn’t open his mouth in order to save his brother. Back home, Tony and Dabloo’s mother Manjari (Monika Panwar) are distressed over Tony’s arrest. Rinku, too, is saddened; Dabloo, who always had a crush on her, tries to get close to her. Meanwhile, a man named Ambika Prasad (Kumud Mishra) is hell bent on making life messier for Tony, Dabloo, Rinku and Manjari due to the past enmity. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Nishaanchi Movie Story Review: Anurag Kashyap's story is detailed and expansive. Prasoon Mishra, Ranjan Chanel and Anurag Kashyap's screenplay has loads of entertainment and drama. However, the writing gets stretched in several places. Prasoon Mishra, Ranjan Chanel and Anurag Kashyap's dialogues are one of the USPs.

Anurag Kashyap's direction is superb. This is a film in the GANGS OF WASSEYPUR zone; in fact, the story doesn’t end and there’s a second part in the offing as well. Many characters and even a few situations would remind one of the 2012 two-part classic. There's a lot of humour present in the narrative, but what stands out is the drama. The film starts at a certain point and Anurag hints at significant developments in the lives of the characters that have taken place already. It intrigues the viewers and doesn’t confuse thankfully. Soon, the flashback portions take over and they form a major chunk of the film. Interestingly, from the beginning portions, one gets a slight idea about what must have happened in the past. Yet, one looks forward to it when the past track unfolds. A few scenes that stand out are Jabardast (Viineet Kumar Singh) taking revenge and his scene in jail, Tony confronted by Rinku for the first time, Manjari warning Dabloo over falling for Rinku, Ambika attacked on his face etc. The climax is well executed and increases the expectation for the sequel.

On the flipside, the film is 179 minutes long. Though a lot is happening every minute, it does become tedious at times. There are too many songs and two of them could have been easily shortened. The intermission point is too serious. In fact, there are portions in the movie where the humour is non-existent; for a film promoted as a crime comedy, this might not be liked by those who have ventured to the cinemas, expecting some laughs. What adds to the minuses is that the makers haven’t promoted the fact that NISHAANCHI is a two-part saga. A section of the moviegoers might be dejected to learn that despite being a three-hour-long film, the story hasn’t ended and will continue in the next part. Lastly, the limited buzz can prove detrimental. 

Nishaanchi – Official Trailer | In Cinemas – September 19 | Amazon MGM Studios India

Nishaanchi Movie Review Performances: Aaishvary Thackeray makes one of the finest debuts in recent times. In his first film, he plays two diverse roles and the manner in which he acts like a pro is seen to be believed. Monika Panwar excels. Initially, it felt like she might be too young for the role, but all doubts vanish in a few minutes. Vedika Pinto has limited screen time in the first half but goes to another level post-interval. Kumud Mishra is to NISHAANCHI what Tigmanshu Dhulia was to GANGS OF WASSEYPUR. He puts up a great act and watch out for how he has been de-aged. Viineet Kumar Singh has been credited under ‘very special appearance’. But he has a crucial role and yet again proves why he’s one of the finest actors of our time. Durgesh Kumar (Bank Security Guard) makes his presence felt with just one scene. Sahaarsh Shuklaa (Puraane), Shubham Tiwari (Hawa Hawai) and Murari Kumar (Baba Lasan) leave a mark. Rajesh Kumar (Bhola Pehalwan) does fine, but looks miscast for a role of this sort. Special mention should also go to Nitpreet Gorkhyal and Supreet Gorkhyal for playing the roles of young Babloo and young Dabloo, respectively. 

Nishaanchi movie music and other technical aspects: The music is peppy and varied. 'Filam Dekho' appears in the opening credits and sets the mood. 'Neend Bhi Teri' and 'Kya Hai Kya Hai' (not present in the jukebox, surprisingly) are soulful and 'Jhule Jhule Paalna' is well incorporated. 'Pigeon Kabootar', 'Kanpuriya Kantaap' and 'Raja Hindustani' are in sync with the film's mood. 'Bhaga Bhaga Ke Maarenge' is energetic, while 'Upar Wale Ne' is poignant. 'Dear Country' is amusing but loses its novelty value in a minute. 'Saram Lagela' is forced. 'Reh Gaye Akele' adds to the effect in the end credits.

Ajay Jayanthi's background score is apt. Sylvester Fonseca's cinematography is gritty and real. The same goes for Amrit Singh's action. Vikram Singh and Parul Rai's production design and Shruti Kapoor's costumes are realistic; the apparel is glamorous in the case of Vedika, as per the character requirement. RedChillies.VFX and White Apple Studios' VFX is decent. Aarti Bajaj's editing could have been crisper. 

Nishaanchi Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, NISHAANCHI is a gritty, engaging ride that reaffirms Anurag Kashyap’s knack for blending crime, drama, and dark humour into a compelling narrative. However, the three-hour runtime, the unexpected two-part format, limited buzz, and strong competition from JOLLY LLB 3 could restrict its box office reach.

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A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY is an experimental drama that doesn't work as intended Movie Review: A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY doesn't work as intended

Star Cast: Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie

Director: Kogonada

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Movie Review Synopsis: A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY is the story of two individuals taking the journey of their lives. David (Colin Farrell) is all set to leave to attend the marriage of a friend at a holiday boutique resort. His car is clamped by the traffic police, supposedly for incorrect parking. He sees the ad for a rental agency and approaches them. The agency is run by two mysterious people (played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Kevin Kline). They offer him a vintage 1994 Saturn car and insist that he take their GPS device as well. David agrees. He reaches the wedding venue, where he bumps into Sarah (Margot Robbie). Sparks fly between them, but David stops himself from going all out. The next day, Sarah's car breaks down and David offers her a lift. The GPS suddenly starts taking them to places from their past and does everything possible so that they begin a love affair. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Movie Story Review: Seth Reiss' story is experimental and novel. Seth Reiss' screenplay doesn't do justice to the plot. A few scenes are exceptional, but there are scenes where one loses interest. The dialogues are decent.

Kogonada's direction is okay. To give credit where it's due, he has extracted fine performances from the lead actors. Technically, the film is top-class and the use of different colours adds to the effect. The sequence where David cries after rejecting the offer to dance with Sarah is relatable. The scenes where David and Sarah get confronted by their exes in a restaurant and Sarah's encounter with her mother are lovely. David meeting his father is also touching.

But such scenes are few and far between. The film doesn’t go on a high note even once. Though it's just 109 minutes, it moves at a very, very slow pace and becomes boring. On paper, the drama must have looked enticing; however, it doesn’t translate into a compelling drama a la ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND [2004]. Instead, it gives a déjà vu of BAAR BAAR DEKHO [2016].

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Movie Review Performances: Colin Farrell never gives a reason to disappoint. Even here, he rises above the script and delivers a lovely performance. Margot Robbie plays a difficult role with ease. In fact, her role is complex, but she handles it like a pro. Their chemistry is great, though it’s affected a bit by the writing. Phoebe Waller-Bridge impresses while Kevin Kline leaves a mark. Lily Rabe (Sarah's mother) makes her presence felt.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey movie music and other technical aspects: Joe Hisaishi's music is minimal and effective. Benjamin Loeb's cinematography is breathtaking. At the same time, it also gives it a 'film festival' look. Katie Byron's production design has a retro feel. Arjun Bhasin's costumes are realistic. Susan E Kim and Jonathan Alberts' editing is slow.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY is an experimental drama that doesn’t work as intended due to the writing, boring narrative, and slow pace. At the box office, it’ll sink without a trace, despite the casting.

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With humour, emotions, hard-hitting dialogues, and drama in ample doses JOLLY LLB 3 entertains Movie Review: JOLLY LLB 3 entertains with humour, emotions, dialogues, and drama.

Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Shukla

Director: Subhash Kapoor

Jolly LLB 3 Movie Review Synopsis: JOLLY LLB 3 is the story of two crazy lawyers. In the village of Parsaul, Rajasthan, a villager Rajaram Solanki, disagrees to sell his ancestral land to industrialist Haribhai Khaitan (Gajraj Rao) for his dream project called 'Bikaner To Boston'. The authorities file a case against Rajaram alleging that his land will be usurped for non payment of dues. Rajaram loses the case in the local court, and he ends his life. A few years later, the case reaches the Delhi court thanks to Rajaram's widow Janaki (Seema Biswas). Two lawyers, both named Jolly (Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi) get embroiled in the madness. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Jolly LLB 3 Movie Story Review: Subhash Kapoor's story is relatable. Subhash Kapoor's screenplay is peppered with not just humour but also some hard-hitting scenes. Subhash Kapoor's dialogues are one of the high points. Several dialogues will surely get a lot of claps.

Subhash Kapoor's direction is splendid. He takes up a topic that many would be able to identify with. Moreover, certain real-life references will raise eyebrows as well as laughs. It was anticipated that both Jolly's would come together, but the way it unfolds is quite dramatic. In fact, the film gets better in the second half once the case reaches court for the second time. The Valentine's Day dinner scene might seem like a roadblock, but there won't be complaints as the scene would be enjoyed by the masses. Subhash Kapoor reserves the best for the climax, and it would be greeted with claps.

On the flipside, the first half could have been better. The songs are poor. Moreover, there are scenes where it seems like the opponent doesn't really fight back with full force against the two Jolly's. A lot is at stake for Haribhai, and realizing how menacing he is, one expects some sort of comeback from him and his legal team as well, which doesn't happen as much in court as it happens outside.

Jolly LLB 3 Movie Review Performances: Both Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi deliver equally brilliant performances. Akshay has a little more screen time. But Arshad makes up for it with his performance and climax act. Their chemistry is excellent; watch out for it in the second half and especially in the finale. Saurabh Shukla (Justice Sunder Lal Tripathi) is like the third hero of the film and steals the show yet again. This time, he also shows his romantic side and it's quite adorable. Gajraj Rao yet again delivers a fabulous performance as an antagonist after MAIDAAN [2024]. He impresses with his mere expressions. Amrita Rao (Sandhya) and Huma Qureshi (Pushpa) are okay and don't have much to do. But it's commendable that the makers retained their characters and also chose the same actors. Seema Biswas leaves a huge mark. Ram Kapoor is apt for the part as the opponent lawyer. Shilpa Shukla (Chanchal Chautala) is lovely. The actors playing the DM, Rajaram, and others also do a fine job.

Jolly LLB 3 | Trailer | Akshay Kumar | Arshad Warsi | Subhash Kapoor | In Cinemas 19th September

Jolly LLB 3 movie music and other technical aspects: Songs are forgettable. Mangesh Dhakde's background score is appropriate for the genre.

Rangarajan Ramabadran's cinematography is cinematic. Parvez Shaikh's action and Veera Kapur Ee's costumes are realistic. Mansi Dhruv Mehta's production design is straight out of life. Chandrashekhar Prajapati's editing is neat but the cutting of scenes at the very beginning give a feeling that one is watching film festival cinema.

Jolly LLB 3 Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, JOLLY LLB 3 entertains with its humour, emotions, hard-hitting dialogues, and drama in ample doses. Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, and Saurabh Shukla steal the show, while the climax would be greeted with applause. At the box office, the film might start on a slow note but has the potential to jump from Saturday onwards due to strong word of mouth.

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DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE is a heartfelt closure that offers nostalgia and charm Movie Review: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE is a heartfelt closure

Star Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter

Director: Simon Curtis

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Movie Review Synopsis: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE is the story of the Crawleys going through a scandal and a change. The year is 1930. Two years after the events of DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA [2022], the Crawleys are enjoying themselves in London when news breaks out that Mary (Michelle Dockery) has secured a divorce from Henry Talbot. Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and his wife Elizabeth McGovern (Cora) are stunned not just by the fact that their daughter hid the divorce from them but also because she gets ostracized in society. The press picks it up and hence, even the staff at Downton Abbey learns about it. The Crawleys return to Downton Abbey while Mary stays behind in London to receive her maternal uncle, Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti). Harold arrives from New York with a mysterious friend, Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola). Sparks fly between Mary and Gus in no time. On the other hand, Harold drops bad news - he has lost a lot of money in the 1929 Wall Street Crash. Hence, he is seeking to invest in Downton's remaining assets to recoup his losses and repay his debt to Gus. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Movie Story Review: The story is lovely and goes well with the theme of the series. Julian Fellowes' screenplay is breezy but lacks enough drama. The dialogues are one of the USPs.

Simon Curtis' direction is simple and unhurried. As the story moves into a new decade, the Crawleys realize times are changing faster than ever. How they adjust to the change and the tiff it ensues is relatable and nicely depicted. The manner in which Mary is asked to leave from a royal party due to her separation is memorable. Another scene that stands out is Robert discovering what a 'flat' is. The track of Mary and Gus is also interesting. The finale is moving.

On the flipside, the film begins on a tense note as the divorce news comes through. One expects a lot of fireworks but that really doesn't happen. Yes, the Crawleys and the staff go through some interesting developments. However, things get resolved pretty easily, from Robert objecting to the sale of the London house to Sir Hector Moreland (Simon Russell Beale) revolting against the changes in the annual fair. Moreover, the previous part had far more drama and that is surely missing here. Lastly, it is a film that has a very limited appeal in India.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Movie Review Performances: Michelle Dockery, this time, has arguably the longest screen time and she owns the part. Hugh Bonneville yet again impresses with his performance. Laura Carmichael (Edith) is adorable and the same goes for Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates) and Sophie McShera (Daisy Parker). Jim Carter (Charles) lends able support. Paul Giamatti, Alessandro Nivola and Robert James-Collier (Thomas Barrow) leave a tremendous mark. Elizabeth McGovern gets a limited scope. Others who do well are Paul Copley (Albert Mason(, Kevin Doyle (Joseph Molesley), Michael Fox (Andrew), Harry Hadden-Paton (Bertie), Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore), Penelope Wilton (Isobel) and Arty Froushan (Noël Coward).

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale movie music and other technical aspects: The music is royal. Ben Smithard's cinematography is superior. Donal Woods' production design is well-researched, while Anna Mary Scott Robbins' costumes are stunning. Adam Recht's editing is breezy.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE is a heartfelt closure that offers moments of nostalgia and charm. However, it lacks the dramatic highs of its predecessor and moreover, its niche appeal may limit its box office impact in India.

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AABEER GULAAL is a breezy family entertainer. Vaani Kapoor provides a career-best act Movie Review: AABEER GULAAL is a breezy family entertainer

Star Cast: Fawad Khan, Vaani Kapoor

Director: Aarti S Bagdi 

Aabeer Gulaal Movie Review Synopsis: AABEER GULAAL is the story of opposites attract. Aabeer Singh (Fawad Khan) runs a popular Indian cuisine restaurant in London, called The Rasoe. He arrives in Jaipur for a culinary contest. The winner will get a chance to work as a chef in his esteemed restaurant. Gulaal Bajaj (Vaani Kapoor), with whom Aabeer had a dramatic encounter a day before, is declared the winner. She lives with her father Suresh Bajaj (Parmeet Sethi) and Nani (Farida Jalal) and has been engaged to Jai (Zorawar Singh Ahluwalia). Gulaal revolts as her father doesn’t give her the permission to take up the offer; it would mean staying out of India for six months, leading to a delay in her marriage. But her father relents, albeit reluctantly. In London, Gulaal creates a series of goof-ups not just for herself but also for Aabeer. With no other option, Aabeer decides to fire her. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Aabeer Gulaal Movie Story Review: Aarti S Bagdi's story is simple and sweet. Aarti S Bagdi, Meghna Singhee and Sudipto Sarkar's screenplay is breezy and most importantly, engaging. Aarti S Bagdi, Meghna Singhee and Sudipto Sarkar's dialogues (additional dialogues by Vanika Sangtani and Amit Nitin Dasani) are straight out of life.

Aarti S Bagdi's direction is captivating. The characters are well fleshed out and the manner in which the protagonists meet each other in amusing circumstances will put a smile on the faces of the viewers. Moreover, the makers have made a film devoid of intimate scenes and cuss words which makes it a family entertainer. Also, though it is set abroad, it is not devoid of the Indian-ness; the family angle adds to the fun. Lastly, the songs enhance the charm of the film.

On the flipside, in select places, the direction is haphazard and not smooth. The conflict in the second half doesn't have the desired impact. This is where the film loses some of its sheen. A few characters are not properly fleshed out. Lastly, the climax is sweet but also beaten to death. One would surely expect a little bit more novelty. 

Aabeer Gulaal Movie Review Performances: Fawad Khan, as always, gives a delightful performance. His looks and smiles ensure the battle is half won, while his subtle and impactful act takes care of the rest. Vaani Kapoor is the surprise of the film. This is her best performance by miles and viewers will be astonished to see her delivering like a seasoned performer. She dominates the first half, especially in the goofy scenes. The scene where she breaks into a dance in the police station is very entertaining, for instance. Riddhi Dogra (Avantika) and Lisa Haydon (Laila) perform ably and neatly add to the chaos. But one wishes that their roles were fleshed out better. This is more in the case of Laila; a few characteristics about her were ambiguous. The same goes for Dev Agarwal (Aman); the entire secret greeting card track is forgotten after a point. Farida Jalal lends able support while Parmeet Sethi leaves a tremendous mark; he also raises laughs in the first half. Soni Razdan (Sushma) and Rahul Vohra (Dinesh) are dependable. Jai Soni, Amrit Sandhu (Ruchika) and Sujoy De (Aman) are fair. 

Aabeer Gulaal Official Trailer | Fawad Khan & Vaani Kapoor – 12th September 2025

Aabeer Gulaal movie music and other technical aspects: Amit Trivedi's music is one of the USPs. 'Khudaya Ishq' is the biggest draw but the other songs like 'Angreji Rangrasiya', 'Doriyaan', 'Khalbaliyaan', 'Tain Tain' and 'On The Way' are also impressive. The remix of various old classics like 'Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera', 'Jawani Jaaneman', 'Jab Chhaye Mera Jadoo', 'Kajra Mohabbat Wala' etc. provides a nice touch. Amit Trivedi's background score is breezy. Special mention should also go to the energetic choreography by Vijay A Ganguly.

Tribhuvan Babu Sadineni's cinematography is breathtaking. Sunil Nigvekar's production design is rich, while Sheetal Sharma's costumes, especially the ones worn by the lead actors, are glamorous. Sanjay Shrirang Ingle's editing is slick. Do It Creative Studios' VFX deserves brownie points, especially in the climax. 

Aabeer Gulaal Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, AABEER GULAAL is a breezy family entertainer, worth a watch for those who enjoy feel-good cinema with a touch of desi soul. Fawad Khan brings his trademark charm, but it’s Vaani Kapoor who truly surprises with a career-best act.

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