GAJAB RAAT is a decent thriller that falters in the second half Movie Review: GAJAB RAAT is a decent thriller.

Star Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Akshay Oberoi, Divya Dutta

Director: Ritesh Shah

Gajab Raat Movie Review Synopsis: GAJAB RAAT is the story of a wild night. Ajay Nirvit (Manoj Bajpayee) is a corrupt and womanizing cop who raids a hotel named Lovely near Connaught Place, Delhi, on the orders of SHO Praveen Rana (Rajiv Gupta). At the same time, a mysterious girl, who is badly injured, is being kidnapped by CBI officer Navin Madhok (Akshay Oberoi). The girl escapes from his car and lands on the road. Before Navin can retrieve her, a crowd gathers, forcing him to flee. The news spreads, and the cops learn about the incident. Ajay, who is nearby, is asked to take charge of the case. He reaches the spot, and so does Neha Prabhu (Shraddha Das), who works for a prominent NGO named VVW (Vigilant Voice for Welfare). She insists on being a part of the investigation as she fears that the cops might botch up the case. Ajay immediately takes the injured girl to the hospital, where her treatment begins. Navin also reaches the hospital in a state of panic. His seniors have ordered him to eliminate the girl. He lies to Ajay, saying that he has been instructed to take over the case, but Ajay doesn't believe him. Ajay informs Praveen about the development. The latter tells him that since the CBI is involved and its officers are acting suspiciously, it means they are in deep trouble. Praveen further reasons that the CBI officers might offer Ajay a hefty sum to let them kill the girl. Sure enough, Ajay is offered Rs. 5 crores to finish her off. Meanwhile, Karan Gill (Saqib Saleem) of the NIA also reaches the hospital. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Gajab Raat Movie Story Review: Ritesh Shah and Neeraj Pandey's story shows promise initially but then falters. Ritesh Shah and Neeraj Pandey's screenplay is gripping. However, in the second half, the writing gets very unconvincing. Ritesh Shah and Neeraj Pandey's dialogues are realistic yet dramatic and sharp.

Ritesh Shah's direction is average. To give credit where it's due, despite having so many characters in the film, he ensures that the narrative never gets confusing or complicated. He gradually unfolds the story, revealing the identities of the characters and their interest in the girl in question. The character of Ajay Nirvit, of course, stands out, and the way he plays mind games and evades the offer is amusing. The mystery surrounding the girl's identity and the eventual revelation keep the viewers intrigued.

On the flipside, things go downhill in the second half when viewers learn who the girl is and why some powerful people want her dead. Some very influential figures are involved, and in the real world, it wouldn't have been difficult for them to eliminate her. But in GAJAB RAAT, we see a lone cop taking on all the baddies single-handedly. It's also bewildering why Ajay, who's corrupt to the core, suddenly decides to do the right thing. The makers attempt to justify his change of heart through his dialogue about maintaining a balance between the good and the bad. However, this reasoning is difficult to digest. The climax is rather convenient and further takes away from the film's realism.

Gajab Raat | Official Trailer | Manoj Bajpayee | Divya Dutta | Nushrratt Bharuccha

Gajab Raat Movie Review Performances: Manoj Bajpayee rises above the script and delivers a fantastic and also very entertaining performance. Akshay Oberoi keeps his performance restrained yet impactful. Divya Dutta (Suneeta Chaudhary) has limited screen time but makes up for it with her performance and arresting screen presence. Nishrratt Bharuccha (Rosie) is lovely in a cameo. Shraddha Das leaves a mark. Saqib Saleem is okay and sadly, doesn’t have much to do. The purpose of his character’s interest in the case is not properly explained either. Rajiv Gupta is memorable and also raises laughs. Kiku Sharda (Lovely) is dependable. Aditi Sandhya Sharma (Arya Sahni) has a crucial role and does well. Shreya Rukmini (Meera; nurse) and Sunit Tandon (Sabharwal; Naveen's boss) make their presence felt. Sachin Kathuria (Sushil Kumar; journalist) is wasted.

Gajab Raat movie music and other technical aspects: There are no songs in the film. Sanjoy Chowdhury's background score adds to the tension. Arvind Singh's cinematography is immersive. Abbas Ali Moghul's action is realistic. Falguni Thakore's costumes are straight out of life, while Rakesh Choudhary's production design is classy. Praveen Kathikuloth's editing is sharp.

Gajab Raat Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, GAJAB RAAT is a decent thriller that starts on a promising note but falters in the second half due to unconvincing developments and a convenient climax. Despite its shortcomings, the film is likely to find an audience on Netflix, thanks to its impressive ensemble cast and the appeal of the thriller genre.

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PEHLA PYAAR DOOSRI BAAR is a breezy romantic entertainer Movie Review: PEHLA PYAAR DOOSRI BAAR is a breezy romantic entertainer

Star Cast: Sparsh Walia, Kunal Vaid, Sargun Kaur Luthra, Alisha Chopra, Sakshi Vaidya, Tushar Chhibber

Director: Anuj Saini

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Movie Review Synopsis: PEHLA PYAAR DOOSRI BAAR is the story of three friends. Gautam Govind Sharma (Sparsh Walia), Vedant Rawat (Kunal Vaid) and Shivi Pradhan (Sargun Kaur Luthra) share a flat in Delhi-NCR. They studied in the same school and now work in the same company, Cyber Nexus. All three are single and unhappy with their jobs. A reunion of their school batch is planned in Mussoorie, and they are invited. Initially, they decline the invitation but change their minds when they learn that their respective school crushes will also be attending. Gautam has a crush on Gehna Gundecha (Alisha Chopra), Vedant has the hots for Simran Sandhu (Sakshi Vaidya), while Shivi is besotted with Karan Shergill (Tushar Chhibber). Hence, they decide to attend the reunion. However, things don't go as planned. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Movie Story Review: Luv Ranjan's story is not novel but has its share of lovely moments. Luv Ranjan, Jehan Handa and Anuj Saini's screenplay is breezy and peppered with some hilarious moments. However, the writing falters at several places. Luv Ranjan, Jehan Handa and Anuj Saini's dialogues are one of the USPs of the film.

Anuj Saini's direction is simplistic but effective. He ensures that the characters, their backgrounds and their reasons for attending the reunion are properly established. The characters of their respective love interests are also well etched out. All three romantic tracks are distinct and have their share of interesting moments. The film takes an unexpected turn in the second half, when several developments unfold. Since these twists haven't been revealed in the trailers, they come as a surprise and add to the fun.

On the flipside, a few sequences are illogical and even problematic. Vedant insults Simran, and one expects him to apologise for using certain harsh words. However, no such apology is forthcoming, and Simran forgives him rather easily. Certain developments also occur too suddenly. Gehna's over-possessiveness is not convincingly established. As a result, some viewers might wonder why Gautam is put off by her behaviour, especially since he attends the reunion with the intention of wooing her. A scene involving two men kissing seems forced and appears to have been included merely for shock value. Though it might evoke laughter, it also comes across as unnecessary. Lastly, the limited buzz surrounding the film is another major drawback.

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Movie Review Performances: All six newcomers – Sparsh Walia, Kunal Vaid, Sargun Kaur Luthra, Alisha Chopra, Sakshi Vaidya and Tushar Chhibber – perform ably as per the requirements of their respective roles. They tend to go overboard in a few scenes, but overall, their performances are likeable. They are also presented stylishly and in an appealing manner. The actors playing the younger versions of Gautam and Vedant, however, end up hamming. Gobind Singh Mehta (Vikesh) is okay. Rishabh Dev Singh (KB) and Ishika Jaiwani (Kanupriya; Miss Jammu) lend able support. Lastly, Rajkummar Rao is too good in a special appearance.

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar movie music and other technical aspects: Rochak Kohli's music is impressive, especially when experienced in the context of the film. 'Zulmi' is catchy, particularly its theme. 'Kamaal' comes next, and its choreography is appealing. 'Purane Din', 'Jaane Kis Mod Pe' and 'Pyaar Manga Hai Tumhi Se' are functional. Hitesh Sonik's background score is in sync with the film's mood. Interestingly, each of the three love stories has a distinct musical theme.

Vidushi Tiwari's cinematography is decent, and the lensing ensures that the film never resembles a tourism video despite its picturesque setting. Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty's production design is appealing. Natasha Vohra Saini's costumes are stylish and attractive. Manann Sagar's editing is breezy.

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, PEHLA PYAAR DOOSRI BAAR is a breezy romantic entertainer that benefits from its youthful appeal, amusing dialogues, likeable performances and unexpected developments in the second half. Sadly, the film suffers from negligible awareness due to limited promotions and, as a result, may go unnoticed. Interestingly, the film is in the same zone as PYAAR KA PUNCHNAMA, and had it been released as PYAAR KA PUNCHNAMA 3, it would have stood a much better chance of succeeding at the ticket window.

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An amusing spy comedy that works UDTA TEER features a quirky premise, hilarious moments and entertaining performances Movie Review: UDTA TEER is an amusing spy comedy

Star Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Sara Ali Khan

Director: Akash A Kaushik

Udta Teer Movie Review Synopsis: UDTA TEER is the story of a spy who loses his memory. Vikrant Thapar (Ayushmann Khurrana) works for the Counter Terrorism Squad (CTS) and is one of its best agents. His marriage to Yamini (Sara Ali Khan) is on the rocks. Unknown to everyone, Vikrant is actually a Pakistani spy who has successfully infiltrated the higher ranks of the CTS without anyone getting a whiff of his true identity. Vikrant's real name is Bilal Ahmed and he reports to Pakistani Lt General A Q Niyazi (Ram Kapoor). Pakistani General Mohammed Ali Mir (Gulshan Grover) is due for retirement and he needs to choose between Niyazi and A A Faiz (Harish Chhabra) as his successor. Niyazi needs to impress Mir so that he can secure the most powerful position in Pakistan. He persuades Bilal, aka Vikrant, to give him information about the Indians who are working in Pakistan as spies. While carrying out this assignment, Vikrant meets with an accident and loses his memory. When he wakes up, his team members and Yamini inform him that he's a CTS agent and a true Indian patriot. Vikrant assumes it to be true and goes all out against cross-border terrorism. This upsets Niyazi and the entire Pakistani establishment as their anti-India operation gets jeopardized thanks to Vikrant. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Udta Teer Movie Story Review: Akash A Kaushik's story is very amusing but loses steam in the third act. Akash A Kaushik, Gautam Govind Sharma, Dia Walia and Madhur Sharma's screenplay emerges victorious, especially in the humorous scenes. In the second half, it could have been a bit simpler. Akash A Kaushik's dialogues add to the laughs and madness.

Akash A Kaushik's direction is fair, especially for a debutant director. His biggest strength is how he handles humour and, in this regard, he goes all out. The scenes of M D Burman (Rahul Bose) and Azhar Maqsood (late Mukul Dev) are the best parts of the film and would lead to a lot of laughs. Then there are certain scenes where the jokes have a geopolitical touch and that would also be lapped up by those who have an interest in current affairs. Thirdly, the humour is also derived from the smart use of old Hindi songs. One such humorous scene that works well is the way the song ‘Julie I Love You’ has been used in the film.

On the flipside, the film takes a serious turn post-interval, and that's where it begins to falter. The narrative becomes increasingly complex, with too many twists and double-crosses. After a point, it becomes difficult to keep track of whose side Bilal, aka Vikrant, is actually on. The track of Vikrant and Yamini fails to work as intended. Moreover, while the humour would be lapped up by the youth, it may not appeal to family audiences and senior citizens. Some of Rahul Bose's scenes, in particular, might come across as repulsive and insensitive to certain viewers.

Udta Teer Movie Review Performances: Ayushmann Khurrana, as always, delivers a fine performance and manages to look convincing as a spy gone rogue due to memory issues. Sara Ali Khan looks lovely and performs as required. However, she's let down by the writing. Rahul Bose delivers the funniest performance of his career and is a surprise. The late Mukul Dev, too, delivers one of the best performances of his career. Ram Kapoor and Gulshan Grover are dependable as always. Suhail Nayyar (Dhruv Kumar Singh) has a crucial role and is entertaining. The same goes for Smita Tambe (I S Holkar; Vikrant's boss) and Sandeep Anand (Shambhu; Vikrant's househelp). Supriya Pilgaonkar (Yamini's mother) and Brijendra Kala (K K Srivastav) lend able support while Kavya Kumar (Sharif) is funny.

Udta Teer movie music and other technical aspects: Sachin-Jigar's music is okay. The title track is catchy. 'Choozay' and 'Bhootni Ka' are well picturized but are not memorable. 'Chann' and 'Jai Hind' are forced into the narrative. Ketan Sodha's background score is quirky, just like the film.

Harshvir Oberai's cinematography is satisfactory. Sea Young Oh, Mohammed Aejaz Gulab Shaikh and Mohd Amin Khatib's action adds to the entertainment quotient. Abhilasha Sharma's costumes are stylish yet realistic. Mayur Sharma's production design is satisfactory. Shivkumar V Panicker and Prerna Saigal's editing could have been sharper.

Udta Teer Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, UDTA TEER is an amusing spy comedy that works thanks to its quirky premise, hilarious moments and entertaining performances, especially by Rahul Bose and the late Mukul Dev. At the box office, it releases with minimal hype and would need a strong word of mouth to leave a mark at the box office.

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CLAYFACE is a gripping superhero horror film that works due to its impressive direction Movie Review: CLAYFACE is a gripping and disturbing superhero horror film

Star Cast: Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie

Director: James Watkins

Clayface Movie Review Synopsis: CLAYFACE is the story of a man on a destructive path. Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) rises from poverty in the impoverished Narrows neighbourhood of Gotham City to become a popular Hollywood actor. His career reaches a high point when he earns an Academy Award nomination. He flies from Coast City, where he's based, to Gotham City for an interview with popular TV host Vic Chissler (Rob Brydon). After the interview, he heads to a nightclub, where he bumps into Mia Torrez (Joana Ribeiro). She shows interest in him, and the two begin dancing seductively. Matt's friend, Corey Bowery (Joshua James), warns him that she's the girlfriend of mob boss Markos Szabo (David Dencik). However, Matt ignores his warning, takes Mia to his hotel room and sleeps with her. When he wakes up, he finds himself surrounded by Markos and his gang members. Furious that Matt slept with his girlfriend, Markos carves up his face in revenge. Matt undergoes six surgeries, but his face remains disfigured. Meanwhile, Mia alleges to the press that Matt forcibly took her to his room. Several people from Matt's neighbourhood also give interviews in which they malign his character. Matt files a case against Markos but loses, as the latter bribes the jury and the negative publicity surrounding Matt works against him. His agent abandons him, and he loses most of his money on surgeries and legal proceedings. With no other option, he returns to the Narrows to live in his old, dilapidated house. One day, he comes across an advertisement by Dr Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), a nanotechnology pioneer who has developed a cellular regeneration treatment. Matt approaches her and asks her to repair his face. Caitlyn explains that human experimentation is illegal, but Matt is desperate. Hence, she agrees to help him. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Clayface Movie Story Review: Mike Flanagan's story is promising, though it gives a sense of déjà vu, especially of DEADPOOL. However, Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini's screenplay is dark enough to ensure that one doesn't get reminded of the latter, which is quite light-hearted. The dialogues are fine, and a few one-liners raise laughs.

James Watkins' direction is exemplary. This is unlike most films from the DC universe, and yet, it doesn't seem out of place. The gore is used innovatively, and moreover, the character arc is superbly handled. One roots for Matt and wants him to avenge the wrongdoings against him. At the same time, even when Matt transforms beyond recognition, one continues to sympathize with him. James deserves credit for pulling this off convincingly. Several scenes stand out, like Matt's transformation in Caitlyn's clinic, Matt's visit to Frank's (Eddie Marsan) office, the sequence aboard the flight, the premiere scene, etc. The final act is highly entertaining.

On the flipside, the plot gets complicated, and a section of the audience may struggle to understand Clayface's powers. There's also a lack of consistency in how these powers are depicted. He seems to shapeshift according to the convenience of the screenplay rather than any clearly established rules governing his abilities. The finale is also a bit confusing and might prompt several viewers to search online for an explanation of what exactly happened. Lastly, the buzz surrounding the film is not very high.

Clayface Movie Review Performances: Tom Rhys Harries is terrific as the vanity-obsessed Hollywood rising star who transforms into a desperate, vindictive monster. His expressions and body language are spot-on, especially in scenes where he's struggling. Naomi Ackie delivers a controlled performance and leaves a huge mark. Joshua James is great, and his awkward smile adds to his performance. David Dencik is absent for a substantial portion of the film but makes up for it with his apt performance. Joana Ribeiro leaves a huge mark in a small role. Rob Brydon and Eddie Marsan lend able support. Max Minghella (John Borrelli; Gotham City detective) has a crucial part and makes his presence felt. Corey Johnson (Cadillac Sal) leaves a mark, especially towards the end.

Clayface movie music and other technical aspects: Volker Bertelmann's music is appropriate. Rob Hardy's cinematography is impressive, capturing both the bright, soothing locales of Coast City and the dark alleys of Gotham City. Keith Madden's costumes are stylish, while James Price's production design is realistic. The VFX matches global standards. The action is extremely gory and disturbing, but it's required by the narrative. Jon Harris' editing is sharp.

Clayface Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, CLAYFACE is a gripping and disturbing superhero horror film that works due to James Watkins' impressive direction, Tom Rhys Harries' nuanced performance and an emotionally engaging character arc. At the box office, it has the potential to spring a surprise, though the limited buzz and excessive gore may restrict its appeal.

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NAYYI NAVELLI has an interesting premise but suffers from weak writing and poor execution Movie Review: NAYYI NAVELLI has an interesting premise but suffers from weak writing

Star Cast: Yami Gautam Dhar, Addinath M Kothare, Anurag Thakur, Sunita Rajwar

Director: Balaji Mohan

Nayyi Navelli Movie Review Synopsis: NAYYI NAVELLI is the story of a woman suspected of being a witch. Mohini (Yami Gautam Dhar), the country head of a company, marries Meerut-based Raja Awasthi (Addinath M Kothare) and moves into his joint family household. The family consists of Raja's father S K Awasthi (Suneel Sinha), mother Asha (Sunita Rajwar), brother Bantu (Anurag Thakur), grandmother (Sushmita Mukherjee), Pinky Bua (Mita Vasisht), Pannu Chacha (Prateek Pachori), Rekha Chachi (Babita Pandey), Sumitra Tayi (Sonal Jha) and several others. Mohini wins over every member of the family with her charming personality. However, Bantu grows suspicious of her. After witnessing a series of bizarre incidents, he becomes convinced that Mohini is a 'daayan', aka a witch. He shares his suspicions with the family members, who understandably dismiss his theory. However, Bantu digs into the past and brings up certain incidents that force the family to reconsider their opinion. But there's more to Mohini than meets the eye. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Nayyi Navelli Movie Story Review: Himanshu Sharma has written a story that must have sounded like a winner on paper. However, Divy Nidhi Sharma's screenplay is weak and dry. He tries his best to pepper the narrative with lots of funny scenes, but it fails to entice. Divy Nidhi Sharma's dialogues are okay. Some one-liners do raise laughs but that’s about it.

Balaji Mohan's direction is not up to the mark. To give credit where it's due, a few scenes are handled deftly, especially the portions where Bantu narrates the incidents that lead him to believe that Mohini is a 'daayan'. The sequence involving Vishal IAS (Aaditya Kulshreshth), his marriage to Pinky Bua and his subsequent discovery of the truth is arguably the funniest part of the film. The interval twist is unexpected and manages to catch viewers off guard. It is also smartly placed, as it might discourage viewers from leaving the theatre midway.

On the flipside, despite a promising premise and an assortment of quirky characters, the film fails to engage viewers. Both the weak script and uninspiring direction are to blame. The narrative begins to lose steam quite early, and even the horror-comedy portions in the flashback fail to make an impact. The interval twist raises hopes of an improvement, but the film falters once again in the second half. Several developments are difficult to digest and raise more questions than they answer. The narrative also takes a mythological turn in the latter half, but the execution remains unconvincing. That said, the Ramayana angle may help the film find some takers in the heartland. However, certain scenes are too difficult to digest. In one crucial sequence, Mohini travels to Haridwar and casually asks the priests to reveal the names of Lord Rama's descendants. As expected, she fails to get the answer she is looking for. The entire sequence is childish, and one wonders how it was approved in the first place. Similarly, the scene where the family abandons Mohini and Raja is far from convincing.

Nayyi Navelli Movie Review Performances: NAYYI NAVELLI rests on Yami Gautam Dhar’s shoulders and she puts up a worthy act. She rises above the script and delivers a performance which is restrained yet impactful. Addinath M Kothare is aptly cast. He has a crucial part in the story and does very well. Anurag Thakur makes the goings-on watchable with his performance. But he also goes over-the-top in some scenes. Sushmita Mukherjee and Mita Vasisht come next. Suneel Sinha, Sunita Rajwar, Prateek Pachori, Babita Pandey and Sonal Jha are decent. Aaditya Kulshreshth leaves a mark, while Ajay Pal (Pandit) and Akshat Singh (Gaggu) are fair.

Nayyi Navelli movie music and other technical aspects: G V Prakash Kumar's music is not of the chartbuster variety. Moreover, the songs are not effectively utilized in the film. Nevertheless, 'The World Of Nayyi Navelli' stands out, thanks to its catchy tune. 'Phata Patakha' appears at a point when viewers have already begun to lose interest in the proceedings. 'Awadhiya Ke Raja' is soulful and might work as a standalone track. However, its placement in the narrative is unconvincing, and hence, it fails to leave the desired impact. G V Prakash Kumar's background score, on the other hand, is far more effective.

Rishi Punjabi's cinematography is satisfactory. Ravi Srivastava's production design is realistic, while Rushi Sharma and Manoshi Nath's costumes are appealing. Phantom FX's VFX could have been better, especially the backdrop in the terrace sequence at the Awasthi residence, which looks unconvincing. Mahesh Mathew's action is fair, while Sumeet Kotian's editing could have been sharper.

Nayyi Navelli Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, NAYYI NAVELLI has an interesting premise and a fine performance by Yami Gautam Dhar. However, the weak writing, unconvincing developments and poor execution make the film a disappointing affair. At the box office, it may benefit to an extent from the extended festive weekend and its mythological connection. However, the negative word of mouth is likely to affect its prospects, and the film may struggle to attract audiences in the long run.

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STREET FIGHTER packs action and spectacle but falters on writing, appealing mainly to game fans Movie Review: STREET FIGHTER packs action and spectacle but falters

Star Cast: Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Callina Liang, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Vidyut Jammwal

Director: Kitao Sakurai

Street Fighter Movie Review Synopsis: STREET FIGHTER is the story of two friends caught in a dangerous tournament. The year is 1987. Japanese-born Ryu (Andrew Koji) is an orphan who trains under Master Gouken (Don Lee). Joining him is Ken Masters (Noah Centineo), who has been sent by his parents from the USA to learn discipline. Both develop a strong bond while training under Gouken. The first World Warrior Tournament takes place, with Ryu emerging victorious after defeating the menacing Sagat. However, Ryu's fighting abilities awaken the evil Akuma (Roman Reigns), who murders Gouken, his half-brother. Ryu possesses the power of the sacred Hado, which could have prevented Gouken's death. Ken is disappointed with Ryu and abandons him. The two friends go their separate ways, and Ryu disappears from the fighting circuit and begins running a roadside soup stall. Six years later, in 1993, the second edition of the World Warrior Tournament is set to be held in Metrolao, and Ken is invited to participate. Ken now earns a living as a television star by participating in staged fighting tournaments. The prospect of competing in the World Warrior Tournament excites him, and he agrees to join. Ryu also receives an invitation but declines. However, he travels to Metrolao to warn Ken against participating. Ken is still upset with Ryu over what happened six years ago and refuses to take his warning seriously. Unknown to Ken, M Bison (David Dastmalchian), the man behind the World Warrior Tournament, has ulterior motives. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Street Fighter Movie Story Review: STREET FIGHTER is based on the video game of the same name. The story sounds very interesting and youthful on paper. T J Fixman and Kitao Sakurai's screenplay, however, leaves a lot to be desired and is weak. The dialogues are okay. A few one-liners raise laughs, especially the ones mouthed by Don Sauvage.

Kitao Sakurai's direction is decent. To give credit where it's due, he handles the grandeur well. The film begins with a prologue presented in anime style, and it immediately catches attention. In fact, all the flashback portions are also depicted in anime. A few scenes stand out, especially Ryu's fights with Ozeki (Hirooki Goto) and Blanka (Jason Momoa). The love-hate relationship between Ryu and Ken also makes for an interesting watch.

On the flipside, certain developments happen too suddenly and without proper explanation. For instance, one never understands how Chun-Li (Callina Liang) manages to locate Ryu or how the latter figures out that something is amiss with the World Warrior Tournament. In several scenes, the makers try too hard to evoke laughter, but the humour falls flat. The sequence where the fighters attack each other on the night before the tournament is insipid. A few scenes are also edited haphazardly, while the censoring of abusive words with beeps further dilutes the impact. The makers try their best to make the proceedings entertaining, but the film ultimately fails to engage viewers. Lastly, STREET FIGHTER is primarily aimed at those familiar with the video game. Viewers unfamiliar with the game, especially younger audiences, may find it difficult to connect with the characters and the goings-on.

Street Fighter Movie Review Performances: Noah Centineo delivers an entertaining performance and effortlessly switches to serious acting whenever required. Andrew Koji makes his presence felt with his nuanced performance and impressive action scenes. Callina Liang shines in her role. David Dastmalchian is over the top, as required by his character. Andrew Schulz (Dan) leaves a huge mark, and the same goes for Mel Jarnson (Cammy) and Eric André. Among the special appearances, Jason Momoa stands out. Vidyut Jammwal (Dhalsim) is superb, and one wishes he had more screen time. 50 Cent (Balrog), Cody Rhodes (Guile), Olivier Richters (Zangief) and Orville Peck (Vega) are okay.

Street Fighter movie music and other technical aspects: Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson's music is exhilarating, especially during the anime sequences. Ken Seng's cinematography is impressive, considering the amount of action unfolding on screen. Kevin Kavanaugh's production design and Kym Barrett's costumes are top-class. The action is one of the film's biggest USPs and is deftly choreographed, lending authenticity to the fight sequences. The VFX matches global standards. Luke Lynch's editing is decent, though a few scenes are cut too quickly.

Street Fighter Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, STREET FIGHTER scores with its impressive action, grand visuals and fine performances. However, the weak writing and unconvincing developments dilute the impact. The film will appeal mainly to fans of the video game franchise.

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PRAHAAR is a gripping courtroom drama powered by brilliant writing, exceptional performance delivered in an intense, emotionally charged and must-watch cinematic experience Movie Review: PRAHAAR is a must watch experience

Prahaar Movie Review Synopsis:

Some stories MUST be told – and Prahaar is one of those. A gripping, emotionally charged courtroom drama, the film shakes you to the core with its brilliant writing, powerhouse performances and razor-sharp courtroom sequences.

We have read the news reports, watched the news bulletins and followed the developments surrounding the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. But what makes Prahaar a compelling cinematic experience is its gripping portrayal of what unfolded inside the courtroom – how the prosecution pieced together the evidence and, above all, how Ujjwal Nikam fought to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Prahaar Movie Review: Script Analysis:

Director Avinash Arun deserves the highest praise for his command over the material, the performances and the drama. The tension, arguments and counter-arguments, along with the sensitive father-son relationship, are seamlessly woven into the narrative, making those 2 hours and 20 minutes thoroughly engaging. The taut screenwriting is one of the biggest strengths of Prahaar.

The recreation of Kasab's barbaric attack at CST, where innocent people were killed and wounded, is chilling and evokes a range of emotions – anger, grief, helplessness, heartbreak and profound sadness.

A few unforgettable moments in the narrative also deserve a special mention [without spoilers]:

• The sequence where Ujjwal Nikam dismantles Kasab's claim of being a juvenile.

• The powerful pre-interval block.

• The post-interval sequence in which a young girl testifies against Kasab, reliving the horrors of that fateful night.

• The finale.

Brilliant writing. Brilliant acting. Brilliant execution.

Prahaar Movie Review Performances:

Rajkummar Rao is exceptional as Ujjwal Nikam. Powerful, commanding and razor-sharp, he brings immense conviction and intensity to the role. Yet another remarkable performance from an actor who is, without doubt, among the finest talents in the business.

Lalit Prabhakar as Kasab is outstanding. Unsettling and controlled, he avoids unnecessary histrionics, delivering a portrayal that leaves a lasting impression.

Wamiqa Gabbi makes her presence count in a narrative dominated by intense legal proceedings. Jaideep Ahlawat is flawless, as always, lending weight and authority to the drama.

Sikandar Kher is fantastic. His courtroom sequences, as well as the scene with his family in a restaurant, are splendid. Ashish Vidyarthi is top notch, bringing immense credibility and authenticity to his part.

Ritwik Sahore makes a strong impression despite sharing screen space with several stalwarts, while Ajinkya Deo leaves a mark.

A special word of appreciation for child actor Dior Ranju Varghese, who delivers a stunning performance in a crucial courtroom sequence soon after the interval.

Prahaar Movie Review Music and Other Technical Aspects:

There's no scope for songs here, and one doesn't miss them either. The background score is what matters, and it is a major plus, enhancing the tension and emotional impact at crucial junctures.

Prahaar Movie Review: Final Verdict:

A must-watch experience!

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RAJINI: THE JAILER 2 is a paisa vasool mass entertainer packed with whistle-worthy moments Movie Review: RAJINI: THE JAILER 2 is a paisa vasool mass entertainer

Star Cast: Rajinikanth, S J Suryah, Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty

Director: Nelson

Rajini: The Jailer 2 Movie Review Synopsis: RAJINI: THE JAILER 2 is the story of a man facing new enemies. After the events of the first part, Tiger Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth) relocates with his family to a remote location in Tamil Nadu. His wife Vijaya (Ramya Krishnan), daughter-in-law Swetha (Mirnaa) and grandson Rithvik (Rithvik) are still mourning the death of his son, Arjun (Vasanth Ravi). Tiger works as a supervisor at a supermarket, and the locals have no idea about his past. Meanwhile, Varman's (Vinayakan) death has dealt a huge blow to the syndicate. Dileep (Suraj Venjaramoodu), a close aide of Varman, is entrusted with the task of finding Varman's killer and retrieving the three truckloads of ancient statues hidden by him. The killer, of course, is none other than Tiger. Meanwhile, Tiger gets into a tiff with a local municipal officer, Bhaskar (Bagavathi Perumal). Tiger is then compelled to work as a driver for a local fruit shop owner, Moorthi (Namo Narayana). A series of events involving Tiger and Moorthi inadvertently leads Dileep's men to Tiger's whereabouts. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Rajini: The Jailer 2 Movie Story Review: Nelson's story organically takes forward the events of the first part. Nelson's screenplay is peppered with loads of mass elevation moments. At the same time, the comic and emotional sequences are also seamlessly woven into the narrative. However, a few developments seem convenient. Nelson's dialogues are massy and clapworthy.

Nelson's direction is superb, and he gives fans plenty to lap up. The first part didn't just have great massy moments but also featured some madcap characters who kept the mood light. The same happens here as well. In fact, the first half relies more on humour than action. The character of Moorthi is hilarious, and when he's joined by Vimal (Yogi Babu), the duo brings the house down. The interval point is terrific and is sure to create a frenzy in cinemas. The entertainment continues in the second half with the introduction of some new and vicious characters like Kantha (Vidya Balan), Bodhi Kalpak (S J Suryah) and Chakri Kalpak (Mithun Chakraborty). An emotional sequence also works well, while the special appearances are terrific, to say the least.

On the flipside, certain developments are difficult to digest, even though the film belongs to a genre where one is not expected to look for logic. The villains are menacing, but in a few scenes, they also come across as surprisingly weak. The item song, meanwhile, is not as memorable as the one in the first part. Lastly, the box-office prospects of the Hindi version remain to be seen, considering that it has received a limited release, restricted to non-national multiplex chains and single-screen cinemas.

Rajini: The Jailer 2 Movie Review Performances: Rajinikanth delivers a performance that is sure to be lapped up by audiences, especially his fans. His dialogue delivery is outstanding, but watch out for the scenes where he simply walks or sits down in style; even these seemingly simple moments are enough to send the audience into a frenzy. It's remarkable how, even at the age of 75, he continues to pull off such a performance with effortless swagger and charisma. Vidya Balan has a late entry but makes up for it with her grace and flawless performance. The bond shared by Tiger and Kantha will be loved by the audience. S J Suryah, as expected, is dependable. Mithun Chakraborty has a crucial role and does well. Namo Narayana dominates the first half and in some scenes, even overshadows Rajinikanth! He’s truly the surprise of the film. Yogi Babu, as expected, is funny. Suraj Venjaramoodu lends able support. Ramya Krishnan, Mirnaa and Rithvik are decent. Nora Fatehi looks stunning while Poorna is splendid. As for the special appearances, Hrithik Roshan (Roddy) rocks the show followed by Shiva Rajkumar (Narasimha), Mohanlal (Mathew) and Jackie Shroff (Kamdev).

Rajini: The Jailer 2 movie music and other technical aspects: Anirudh's music and background score are exhilarating. 'One Name', 'Jailer 2 Theme' and 'Hukum Reloaded' are the best of the lot. 'Ala Bolelo' works due to the picturization. 'Bindaas' is underwhelming and nowhere close to 'Kaavaalaa'.

Vijay Kartik Kannan's cinematography is classy. Pallavi Singh and Muthul Hafeez's costumes are appealing, especially those worn by Rajinikanth, Vidya Balan, and S J Suryah. Chetan D'Souza's action is a bit gory but adds to the entertainment quotient. DRK Kiran's production design is satisfactory. R Nirmal's editing is sharp.

Jailer 2 Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, RAJINI: THE JAILER 2 is a paisa-vasool mass entertainer that delivers exactly what Rajinikanth fans expect – electrifying elevation moments, clapworthy dialogues, and whistle-worthy special appearances. At the box office, however, the Hindi version may face an uphill task due to limited buzz, competition from new and holdover releases, and no release in national multiplex chains.

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REPORTING LIVE is a hard hitting drama that tackles the issue of illegal sand mining Movie Review: REPORTING LIVE is a hard hitting investigative drama

Star Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Deven Bhojani

Director: Dhruv Tripathi

Reporting Live Movie Review Synopsis: REPORTING LIVE is the story of a fearless journalist. Sandhya Yadav (Parineeti Chopra) works as a reporter for a Mumbai-based news channel called Azaad Bharati. Her cameraman and best friend is Vinod Sharma (Deven Bhojani). One day, she's asked to travel to the village of Visargaon in Maharashtra, where a bridge has collapsed. A school bus happens to be on the bridge during the unfortunate incident, leading to the deaths of 14 children. While covering the tragedy, Sandhya speaks to several villagers, who claim that the bridge collapsed because of a solar eclipse. Even a local minister makes the same claim. However, Shiva (Amol Palekar) and Mangesh (Pitobash Tripathy) allege that the bridge collapsed due to the government's inaction. Sandhya approaches them, and they inform her that the collapse was caused by illegal sand mining in the region. Due to the excessive removal of sand, the bridge's foundation had weakened, leading to its collapse. Sandhya and Vinod begin their investigation and are threatened by sand mafia goons. Nevertheless, they manage to collect evidence and submit it to their news channel. Azaad Bharati's head honchos, Vidur Dutt (Adil Hussain) and Shyam (Shekhar Suman), are impressed with the exclusive report and air it on the channel. The cops are then compelled to arrest those involved in illegal sand mining. However, within a few days, the illegal activity resumes, while Shyam is pressured to take down the story. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Reporting Live Movie Story Review: Mihir Jadhav and Dhruv Tripathi's story is inspired by real events and is relevant. Mihir Jadhav and Dhruv Tripathi's screenplay is captivating and peppered with some hard-hitting scenes. Mihir Jadhav and Dhruv Tripathi's dialogues are sharp but some one-liners are childish.

Dhruv Tripathi's direction is quite good. What's impressive is that he has managed to bring together such an ensemble cast. Moreover, each actor has a crucial role to play, even if some have limited screen time. The director has chosen the subject of illegal sand mining, an issue that is often reported in the news, but has rarely been explored in Hindi cinema. This gives REPORTING LIVE an edge. The film not only explains the issue in a simple manner but also unabashedly throws light on how cops, politicians, IAS officers and others look the other way for vested interests when laws are broken. At the same time, Dhruv makes sure that he doesn't paint everyone with the same brush. He shows that there are honest officers in the system who are willing to help when required. Similarly, while he exposes the corruption within news channels, he also shows that there are journalists and media bosses who'll go to any lengths to speak the truth. A few scenes are arresting, like Sandhya and Vinod being roughed up at the tea stall, Shyam blasting Vidur, Shiva Kaka blessing Sandhya and Vinod, etc. The climax is clapworthy.

On the flipside, the film begins on a chilling note before going into flashback mode. While this sets the mood, it also makes it possible to guess a crucial development in the story. The impact would have been far greater had the makers not begun the film with the said scene. The sequence where Sandhya, Vinod and Vidur land up at the police station is difficult to digest, especially the way Sandhya reacts. Sandhya could have easily checked the CCTV footage to find out who entered her house. The footage could have also helped the cops identify and nab the culprits. However, the makers don't explore this possibility. Moreover, while the film neatly explains the issue of illegal sand mining, it doesn't shed light on how the practice can be prevented or how other countries are dealing with the problem.

Reporting Live Movie Review Performances: After SHAQUE: TRUST NO ONE, Parineeti Chopra delivers yet another performance that's hard-hitting yet nuanced. However, she seems a little too mature for the part. She comes across as someone who has already spent five or six years working in the media and, by that stage, should ideally be aware of how the industry functions and that it's not always driven by principles and idealism. Hence, her character's innocence and idealistic outlook seem a bit unconvincing at times. A younger actor might have been better suited to the role. Deven Bhojani is too good and is aptly cast. He dominates several key scenes, and the bond he shares with Parineeti is lovely. Amol Palekar is highly memorable. Adil Hussain is dependable as always and wins hearts. Shekhar Suman gets into the skin of his character seamlessly. Nasser (R Velraj) has a great entry scene and leaves a mark. Pitobash Tripathy, Saswata Chatterjee (J P), Prachee Shah Paandya (Pooja), Samir Kochhar (Karthik) and Geeta Agarwal Sharma (Shobha Deshmukh; municipal officer) lend able support. Bhaskar Jha (Nasir Solkar; who threatens Sandhya and Vinod at the tea stall) does well but gets a raw deal. His character, who plays the radio while beating up people, is interesting, and one wishes he had more to do in the film.

Reporting Live movie music and other technical aspects: The songs are forgettable, but Zubin Balaporia and Vijay Prakash's background score is chilling. R Velraj's cinematography is satisfactory. Mandar Nagaonkar's production design is appropriate, while Shilpa Makhija and Varsha Chandanani's costumes are realistic. The outfits worn by Parineeti Chopra stand out. Futureworks Studios' VFX is fine but could have been better in the bridge collapse scene. Shyam Salgaonkar's editing is sharp.

Reporting Live Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, REPORTING LIVE is a hard-hitting investigative drama that tackles the issue of illegal sand mining with sincerity and conviction, despite a few shortcomings in the narrative.

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THE SOCIAL RECKONING is a relevant drama that exposes darker side of social media Movie Review: THE SOCIAL RECKONING is a relevant and thought provoking drama.

Star Cast: Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong

Director: Aaron Sorkin

The Social Reckoning Movie Review Synopsis: THE SOCIAL RECKONING is the story of a whistleblower. The year is 2019. Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), a data engineer working on Facebook's civic integrity team at its headquarters in San Francisco, USA, is disillusioned after internal research reveals that the platform prioritizes engagement and profits over user safety. During a town hall session, Teddy Marks (Billy Magnussen), Facebook's media relations executive, warns employees against speaking to journalists who are trying to show the social media giant in a bad light. One of the journalists they are warned about is Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) of The Wall Street Journal. As it turns out, Jeff is indeed working on a story exposing Facebook's wrongdoings. He contacts every member of the civic integrity team, but Frances is the only one who responds. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The Social Reckoning Movie Story Review: Aaron Sorkin's story is inspired by real-life incidents and is quite relevant. Aaron Sorkin's screenplay is gripping but also unconventional and niche. The dialogues are sharp.

Aaron Sorkin's direction has its share of pluses. To begin with, the film talks about the ill effects of social media, many of which are caused by the profit-first policies of the companies running these platforms. The film is divided into chapters and begins with a prologue. This track is not directly connected to the principal plot, but it helps viewers get a better understanding of the issues at hand. As for the principal plot, the bond shared by Frances and Jeff is lovely. Their banter and even their minor tiffs make for an interesting watch. Moreover, the autocratic manner in which Mark Zuckerberg functions is sure to be an eye-opener for viewers.

On the flipside, the film gets too technical and confusing at times. Many viewers will get a surface-level idea of Facebook's wrongdoings, but several aspects of the issue might go over their heads. Moreover, the extensive focus on American politics might have limited appeal for many viewers in India. The makers also make things a bit ambiguous by not naming a significant American political personality. The decision is understandable, but at the same time, it'll leave many wondering who is being talked about. Also, the congressional hearing, for which Mark Zuckerberg is shown rehearsing, is never depicted in the film. This might disappoint some viewers. Lastly, the film serves as a standalone sequel to THE SOCIAL NETWORK [2010], which had left a much bigger impact. THE SOCIAL RECKONING, however, pales somewhat in comparison.

The Social Reckoning Movie Review Performances: Mikey Madison, who impressed viewers with her Oscar-winning performance in ANORA [2024], delivers yet another power-packed performance. She convincingly portrays a socially awkward tech nerd from the Bay Area and ensures that she never goes overboard. Jeremy Allen White dominates certain scenes and delivers a worthy performance. Jeremy Strong tries his best, but somehow, his performance seems mechanical and a bit off. Bill Burr (Charlie Garrigan) leaves a mark in a supporting role. Wunmi Mosaku (Raya) is too good. Portia Doubleday (Kaylee), Michael Braugher (Deputy Otumbo) and Sierra Capri (Officer Diaz) deserve special mention. They leave a huge mark despite appearing in just one scene each.

The Social Reckoning movie music and other technical aspects: Alexandre Desplat's music is seamlessly woven into the narrative. Jeff Cronenweth's cinematography is functional. Jon Hutman's production design and Susan Lyall's costumes lend authenticity to the proceedings. Alan Baumgarten's editing is sharp.

The Social Reckoning Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THE SOCIAL RECKONING is a relevant and thought-provoking drama that exposes the darker side of social media. However, the limited awareness, excessive technical details, heavy focus on American politics and comparisons with THE SOCIAL NETWORK might limit its appeal among Indian audiences.

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PREM KEETANU is a decent entertainer but suffers from a weak second half Movie Review: PREM KEETANU is a decent entertainer

Star Cast: Veer Pahariya, Aafiya Sayed, Aparshakti Khurana

Director: Apoorv Singh Karki

Prem Keetanu Movie Review Synopsis: PREM KEETANU is the story of a good-for-nothing guy. Vishal (Veer Pahariya) meets Suhani Sharma (Aafiya Sayed) on the first day of college at Banaras Institute of Science and Technology. The two get into a fight and end up cursing each other that they won’t find a partner during their four years in college. At the last minute, Suhani takes admission to the more prestigious SIT in Delhi. Their personal lives follow a similar trajectory as neither manages to find a partner. Academically, however, their journeys are poles apart. Suhani excels in her studies and lands a job at AFL Software Pvt Ltd through campus placement. Her boss, Ranjit (Aparshakti Khurana), is smitten by her and constantly tries to impress her. Meanwhile, Vishal fails to land a job due to his poor grades. He shifts to Delhi and applies for GRE and TOEFL, with the eventual plan of studying in the USA. He needs Rs. 5 lakhs in his bank account to be eligible for a visa and hence starts looking for a job. Meanwhile, he bumps into Suhani again, and this time, they hit it off very well. But Ranjit has reservations about Vishal. He tries to belittle him out of fear that Vishal might successfully woo Suhani. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Prem Keetanu Movie Story Review: PREM KEETANU is adapted from the 2024 Malayalam film, PREMALU. Deepak Kingrani's story is simple and relatable. Deepak Kingrani's screenplay is breezy, though it falters in the post-interval sequences. Deepak Kingrani's dialogues are straight out of life, and a few one-liners raise laughs.

Apoorv Singh Karki's direction is uncomplicated. The biggest strength of the film is that the characters come across as real and relatable, almost like people one encounters in everyday life. Their joys, struggles and insecurities also strike a chord. The makers have made several changes compared to the original and ensured that the story fits organically into the milieu of Delhi, Banaras and Lucknow. The scenes between Vishal and Ranjit are quite memorable, as are Vishal's interactions with his pal, Magan Arora (Nikhil Vijay).

On the flipside, the film loses steam in the second half. Vishal goes overboard during the proposal and the fight sequence, and these portions dent the impact. At times, audiences might also find Vishal childish and may struggle to root for him. The same issue crops up in the interval block, which doesn't work as intended. After a point, the proceedings become such that they may appeal only to a certain section of the moviegoing audience, while viewers seeking more sophisticated or nuanced content may not connect with it as much. The film also feels stretched in places, and the frequent songs end up acting as roadblocks to the narrative.

Prem Keetanu Movie Review Performances: Veer Pahariya is in much better form here than SKY FORCE [2025]. His performance is decent, but it could have been better in the emotional scenes. Aafiya Sayed is a great find. She looks stunning and delivers a first-rate performance. Nikhil Vijay steals the show with his presence and performance. Aparshakti Khurana, too, puts his best foot forward and gets his act right as the man who is too full of himself. At the same time, he doesn’t let his act go overboard. Rakesh Bedi (Suhani's father) has limited presence in the first half but makes up for it in the post-interval sequences. Sachin Kathuria (Vishal's father) is fair, while Preeti Aggarwal (Suhani's mother) doesn’t get much scope.

Prem Keetanu movie music and other technical aspects: The songs are okay, and there are too many of them. A film of this kind also needed a chartbuster or two. 'Undi Bundi' is the most memorable of the lot, followed by 'Ishq Ka Ghulaam'. The visuals of the latter give a déjà vu of 'Tere Ishq Mein Naachenge' from RAJA HINDUSTANI [1996], and feel slightly unsettling as the film turns heavy at this point. The rest of the songs fail to register. Ketan Sodha's background score is functional.

Arjun Kukreti's cinematography is satisfactory. Veera Kapur Ee's costumes are stylish while also staying true to the setting and characters. Ambika Acharya's production design and Amin Khatib's action are realistic. Ritesh Soni's editing is decent, though it could have been sharper.

Prem Keetanu Movie Review Conclusion On the whole, PREM KEETANU is a decent entertainer with some good performances and entertaining moments. However, the film suffers due to a weak second half and stretched portions. With the film releasing amid minimal buzz and, more importantly, alongside the juggernaut DRISHYAM THE CONCLUSION, it is likely to get completely overshadowed at the box office.

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POOJA MERI JAAN works as a relevant and thought provoking courtroom drama Movie Review: POOJA MERI JAAN works as a thought provoking courtroom drama.

Star Cast: Mrunal Thakur, Huma Qureshi

Director: Navjot Gulati

Pooja Meri Jaan Movie Review Synopsis: POOJA MERI JAAN is the story of a woman in trouble. Pooja Dogra (Mrunal Thakur) lives in Delhi with her father Gulshan Dogra (Rajesh Jais) and mother Nandita Dogra (Madhu Sachdeva). She is an actor who works with the Junoon theatre group and plays Juliet in the play, Romeo And Juliet. The role of Romeo is played by Aniket Srivastava (Vikram Singh Chauhan), who is madly in love with Pooja. However, Pooja has rejected his proposal several times. One day, after successfully staging Romeo And Juliet, Aniket proposes to Pooja in front of the audience. Pooja is stunned and heads to the green room. Aniket follows her, where Pooja blasts him for his actions. She then returns home and repeatedly ignores his calls. Aniket's world comes crashing down and he ends his life. Jatin Trivedi (Vijay Raaz), a lawyer and self-confessed men's rights activist, meets Aniket's mother Alka (Suparna Marwah) and close friend Mukesh (Manuj Sharma), and urges them to file a case against Pooja. Mukesh tells Alka that Pooja had led Aniket on and was responsible for what happened to him. Alka subsequently approaches the police, following which Pooja is arrested. Sana Mehfooz (Huma Qureshi), a common friend of Pooja and Aniket, becomes Pooja's lawyer. The stakes are high as Pooja faces an avalanche of hate on social media and in the court of public opinion. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Pooja Meri Jaan Movie Story Review: Kanishka and Navjot Gulati's story is very topical and novel. Kanishka and Navjot Gulati's screenplay (additional screenplay by Niren Bhatt) is fairly paced and laced with some hard-hitting scenes. However, the writing has its share of blemishes. Niren Bhatt's dialogues are sharp and even acidic in some places.

Navjot Gulati's direction is taut. The film has a runtime of just 117 minutes and hence, the focus remains firmly on the principal story. Aniket’s death takes place within the first 15 minutes and soon after, Pooja finds herself behind bars. The interesting aspect of the film is that Pooja is not portrayed as an all-white character, which further complicates her situation in court. Things take an unexpected turn in the second half when viewers get the complete picture of what transpired in the past, making the proceedings even more engaging. The climax monologue is powerful and can become a talking point on social media.

On the flipside, several developments happen rather conveniently. Sana’s decision to take up Pooja’s case initially seems difficult to digest, considering that she, too, believed Pooja had abetted Aniket’s suicide. The climax leaves an impact but is also unconvincing in parts. The cross-examination of Mayank Joshi (Nikhil Angrish) is one such instance. Moreover, the members of the Junoon theatre group were vehemently against Pooja, and yet some of them later appear as witnesses. A crucial confession by someone close to Aniket, too, comes about rather quickly. Audiences have seen films like SHAURYA [2008] and A FEW GOOD MEN [1992], where lawyers go all out to provoke a witness before extracting a stunning confession. Here, the revelation comes about too easily and too quickly.

Pooja Meri Jaan Movie Review Performances: Mrunal Thakur plays the lead role with sincerity. She gets into the skin of her character and especially delivers in the emotionally charged scenes. Huma Qureshi’s characterization could have been better. Nevertheless, her performance is first-rate. Vikram Singh Chauhan leaves a huge mark in a challenging role. Vijay Raaz, as usual, is dependable. However, his character is said to be ruthless, and that aspect doesn’t come through consistently in the film. Manuj Sharma, the late Rituraj Singh (Asad Mehfooz), Saarthak Gambhir (Shreyansh; Pooja's teenage neighbour), Priyanshu Jora (Vikram Malhotra), Rajesh Jais, Madhu Sachdeva and Suparna Marwah do well. Sunita Rajwar (Sushila Chauhan; cop) and Shilpi Marwaha (Chandni Singhania; prisoner) leave a mark despite limited screen time.

Pooja Meri Jaan movie music and other technical aspects: Vishal Mishra's music is forgettable. 'Saza', 'Qayamatein' and 'Maharani' fail to register. John Stewart Eduri's background score is minimal yet effective. Jishnu Bhattacharjee's cinematography is satisfactory. Mayur Sharma's production design is appropriate, while Sheetal Sharma's costumes are authentic. The outfits worn by Mrunal Thakur are glamorous. Sanyukta Kaza's editing is tight.

Pooja Meri Jaan Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, POOJA MERI JAAN works as a relevant and thought-provoking courtroom drama, with Mrunal Thakur delivering a sincere and affecting performance. Though the courtroom portions are not always convincing, the eye-opening subject stays with you and has the potential to become a major talking point in the days to come.

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Drishyam The Conclusion is a sure shot blockbuster that delivers on every front and is sure to rule hearts Movie Review: Drishyam The Conclusion is a SURE SHOT BLOCKBUSTER.

Drishyam The Conclusion lives up to the mammoth expectations. This is, without doubt, the BEST FILM in the Drishyam franchise and also among the BEST FILMS of 2026. SURE-SHOT BLOCKBUSTER.

Director Abhishek Pathak, who helmed the second part as well, proves yet again why he is among the finest storytellers today. He understands the DNA of the franchise and takes the story forward without recycling its formula. In fact, the direction and writing emerge as the two strongest pillars of the film.

The biggest high point is the Ajay Devgn - Jaideep Ahlawat face-off in the first half. Simply MARVELLOUS. Deserves a standing ovation!

The courtroom sequences are another major highlight. In fact, the very first sequence featuring Prakash Raj with Ajay Devgn and his family is yet another brilliant moment.

Now, to the all-important climax – Does it deliver? Does it culminate convincingly? Does it leave you satisfied? YES, YES, YES. The finale is powerful, gripping, and thoroughly fulfilling.

Ajay Devgn returns as the iconic Vijay Salgaonkar – the soul of the franchise. The lifeline of Drishyam The Conclusion. He navigates this demanding role with remarkable brilliance. His pre-interval sequence with Jaideep Ahlawat, in particular, will certainly drive audiences back for repeat viewings.

Drishyam: The Conclusion | Official Trailer | Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Jaideep Ahlawat | Abhishek Pathak

Jaideep Ahlawat is a terrific addition to the Drishyam universe. His performance is controlled yet commanding, and undoubtedly one of the film's biggest strengths. Tabu is fabulous. Anger, hurt, revenge, determination – the varied emotions she portrays prove yet again why she was the best choice for this part.

Prakash Raj is simply remarkable. His authority and unmistakable screen presence add considerable weight to the proceedings. Shriya Saran is in super form, while Rajat Kapoor brings dignity and conviction to his part. Kamlesh Sawant is top notch, adding further weight to the proceedings.

Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav are alright in their respective parts.

There's no scope for music in the narrative, but the background score is electrifying and significantly enhances the tension and drama.

Final word? Drishyam The Conclusion is sure to rule hearts as well as the boxoffice. A finale that delivers on every front.

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