THE VVAAN rests on an interesting premise but suffers due to a messy screenplay Movie Review: THE VVAAN rests on an interesting premise

Star Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunil Grover, Maniesh Paul, Shweta Tiwari, Anup Soni

Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra

The Vvaan Movie Review Synopsis: THE VVAAN is the story of a man whose actions unleash chaos in his village. Rishi (Sidharth Malhotra) lives in Mumbai with his wife, Mamta (Tamannaah Bhatia). He hasn't visited his hometown, Devanchal, for years, though his brother (Anup Soni) invites him every year to celebrate Chhath Puja. This year, Rishi makes an exception and heads to Devanchal. He also has another reason to visit – his brother has sent him a summons regarding land acquisition. There is a proposal to build a road through a forest near the village. The villagers are strongly opposed to the plan and don't even enter the forest after sunset. They believe that doing so could anger the 'Van Devi' who resides there. Rishi dismisses these beliefs as superstition and supports Deepak (Sunil Grover), who is helping develop the road through the forest. This causes a rift between Rishi and his sister-in-law, Sushila (Shweta Tiwari). Sushila wants Rishi to give up his share in the ancestral land as, according to her, he has done little for the family or the village. Meanwhile, Rishi is determined to prove that the villagers' fear of entering the forest at night is nothing but blind belief. One evening, he ventures into the forest after sunset – and all hell breaks loose. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The Vvaan Movie Story Review: Arunabh Kumar's story has a lot of promise, as it blends devotion with a dash of mythology and horror. However, Arunabh Kumar's screenplay gets messy, especially in the second half. Anandeshwar Dwivedi's dialogues are funny and, more importantly, have a desi flavour.

Deepak Kumar Mishra's direction is not up to the mark. To give credit where it's due, he succeeds in building an eerie atmosphere. The humour works well, especially in the scenes featuring VP (Maniesh Paul). In fact, the comedy has the classic TVF flavour. Certain dialogues refer to popular series tropes as well as fictional and real-life characters, and these references are sure to be lapped up. Some aspects of the mythology are intriguing too, such as characters venturing into the forest blindfolded after sunset and demons wreaking havoc in the jungle.

On the flipside, the humour involving Sulbha Arya feels forced, while the villain track is the weakest link in the story. A few developments also defy logic and common sense. For instance, it is baffling that no one in the village knows the identity of Raja Vikramaditya's descendant. The descendant has kept his identity a secret, but no convincing explanation is provided for the same. Similarly, a character is shown desperately searching for a powerful anklet. One expects an object of such importance to be cleverly concealed. Instead, it is kept at a location where it could have been found with remarkable ease, making the entire search seem contrived. Lastly, the climax is haphazardly executed and fails to deliver the desired impact. It also evokes a strong sense of déjà vu, particularly of BAAHUBALI.

The Vvaan Movie Review Performances: Sidharth Malhotra is decent, though his performance could have been better. He is, however, convincing in the action scenes. Tamannaah Bhatia has a significant role in the film; performance-wise, she is dependable and looks quite stunning. Her act in the song ‘Chhathi Maiya’, in particular, is memorable. Maniesh Paul, as expected, raises laughs, though a few of his scenes fail to land. Sulbha Arya is funny but goes quite overboard at times. Anup Soni and Shweta Tiwari lend able support. Sunil Grover delivers a sincere performance but is let down by the writing. The same applies to Durgesh Kumar (Reporter). Milind Gunaji (priest) and Avtar Gill (Sarpanch) are wasted and are forgotten after a point. Sundip Ved (King Vikramaditya) registers his presence.

The Vvaan movie music and other technical aspects: 'Chhathi Maiya' is beautiful and stands out for its picturization and melody. 'Samjho Na' is soulful while 'Thummak Thummak' is forced into the narrative. 'Hum Hain' adds to the fear. Sandeep Shirodkar's background score is satisfactory.

Manu Anand's cinematography is superb, with the locales captured exceptionally well. Even the night sequences in the forest are clear and easy to decipher. Parvez Shaikh's action is realistic yet entertaining. Niharika Bhasin's costumes are stylish, especially those worn by Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty's production design is in sync with the film's requirements. The VFX by Labyrinth Studios, Divinity Pictures VFX and New Kore VFX Pvt Ltd could have been classier, while the animation, which appears to have been derived from AI, is not up to the mark. Nitin Baid's editing is functional.

The Vvaan Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THE VVAAN rests on an interesting premise that blends devotion, mythology, horror and humour. However, a messy screenplay, weak villain track, several illogical developments and a haphazard climax severely dent the film's impact.

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DON'T BE SHY rests on a relatable idea but falters in the treatment Movie Review: DON'T BE SHY rests on a relatable idea and sincere performances

Star Cast: Aarushi Bajaj, Ansh Duggal, Piyush Khati, Bianca Arora

Director: Sreeti Mukerji

Don't Be Shy Movie Review Synopsis: DON'T BE SHY is the coming-of-age tale of a girl. Shyamili Das, aka Shy (Aarushi Bajaj), lives in Mumbai's Girgaum with her father, Joy Das (Anurag Basu), and mother, Jaya Das (Anju Alva Naik). Her parents run a saree shop called 'Shyamili Sarees', which is running at a loss. Shy is embarrassed by her middle-class life and, in college, pretends to come from a wealthy background. She claims to her friends that her parents are based in London and that they run an exclusive boutique store. Her boyfriend is Mayank Jhunjhunwalla (Piyush Khati), the heir to the Jhunjhunwalla Group of Companies, and who also studies with her in the same college. Shy has her life completely planned out. She intends to convince Mayank to let her intern at one of his companies and become its CEO within a decade. In the interim, she also plans to marry Mayank, who, by then, would have taken over the sprawling family business, thus making Shy rich. Sadly, her plans go for a toss when Mayank, on his 21st birthday, announces that he won't be joining his family business and will instead pursue a career as a singer. A stunned Shy reacts sharply and belittles Mayank's ambition, prompting him to break up with her. Meanwhile, her friend Tara Verma (Bianca Arora) and childhood friend-cum-neighbour Dhruv Kumar (Ansh Duggal) add to the fun and chaos in her life. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Don't Be Shy Movie Story Review: Sreeti Mukerji and Sunanya Kumari have written a story that sounds promising on paper. However, Sreeti Mukerji's screenplay (additional screenplay by Sehaj Kaur Maini), though breezy, doesn’t fully convince the viewers. It also gives a déjà vu of several films and shows in this space. Sehaj Kaur Maini and Sreeti Mukerji's dialogues are fine, but a film like this should have had more humourous lines.

Sreeti Mukerji's direction is average. To give credit where it's due, she has handled certain moments well. The idea of a girl pretending to belong to a higher social class in order to ‘fit in’ is relatable. Some of the moments shared by Shy and Dhruv are lovely, while the bond between Shy and Tara is also sweet. Films in this space are often under two hours long. DON'T BE SHY, however, has a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes. Though the film gets stretched, it's bearable.

At the same time, the narrative doesn’t completely involve the viewer either. The biggest issue is that it comes across as pretentious. The film feels like a bhel puri of various titles such as AISHA [2010], STUDENT OF THE YEAR [2012], NEVER HAVE I EVER, TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE, etc. Dhruv seems to be inspired by the character of Mr Darcy from PRIDE & PREJUDICE (and also BRIDE & PREJUDICE). The sequence where Shy gulps down alcohol and sets the stage on fire gives a déjà vu of ‘It’s The Time To Disco’ from KAL HO NAA HO [2003]. Though Sreeti tries her best to add desi elements, including the use of old classics, the film feels too Western and rarely comes across as a story rooted in India. Some of Shy’s actions are unconvincing, while certain developments feel forced. For instance, Shy injuring her wrist seems to serve no real purpose except to facilitate the sequence where she and Dhruv get locked inside a supermarket. As a result, several developments don’t flow organically.

Don't Be Shy Movie Review Performances: However, the performances are of a tall order. Aarushi Bajaj delivers a sincere performance and tries her best to play the character with conviction. Bianca Arora is a great find and puts up an entertaining character without going overboard. Ansh Duggal looks dashing and gives a first-rate performance. Piyush Khati, too, puts his best foot forward. However, his character ends up being a caricature in the end. Anurag Basu and Kunaal Roy Kapur (Mr Q) are adorable and bring in some much-needed humour. Anju Alva Naik (Jaya Das), Aditi Jha (Aashni), Ami Trivedi (Tinaz) and Tahira Nath (Mrs Joshi) lend able support. Neha Dhupia (Nandini Verma) is fair in a cameo while Raghu Ram and Rajiv Lakshman play their usual selves.

Don't Be Shy movie music and other technical aspects: Ram Sampath's music is lovely and the songs are well-woven into the narrative. 'Jhoomo' and 'Re Bawri' stand out, while 'Tum Ho Vahi', 'Tere Sang' and 'Bandey' are decent. Ram Sampath's background score is satisfactory.

Pratham Mehta's cinematography is classy. Amrita Mahal Nakai's production design is too Western. Veera Kapur Ee's costumes are appealing. Redefine's VFX could have been better in the fantasy song. Dipika Kalra's editing is functional.

Don't Be Shy Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, DON'T BE SHY rests on a relatable idea, sincere performances, appealing music and a few endearing moments. However, the treatment is pretentious, several portions lack originality and the narrative fails to achieve the freshness and emotional connect needed for a coming-of-age entertainer. As a result, it fails to leave the desired impact.

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PRIMETIME is stylish and intriguing, with a terrific Pattinson performance, but uneven writing limits its impact. Movie Review: PRIMETIME impresses but uneven writing holds it back.

Star Cast: Robert Pattinson, Skyler Gisondo

Director: Lance Oppenheim

Primetime Movie Review Synopsis: PRIMETIME is the story of an ambitious television personality. The year is 2006. Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson) is a television journalist working for NBC and the host of the show ‘To Catch A Predator’. With the help of producer Andie Bender (Merritt Wever) and Xavier Von Erck (Matthew Maher), the eccentric leader of the online civilian vigilante group ‘Perverted-Justice’, Chris introduces a new format on television, in which suspected online child predators are lured to suburban decoy homes rigged with hidden surveillance cameras. The operation also requires an adult who can convincingly pass off as a minor. Twenty-three-year-old Dan Plumb (Skyler Gisondo) fits the bill and joins the team. The bosses at NBC are impressed by the show’s ratings and decide to give it a coveted primetime slot. Chris is on cloud nine, but his joy is short-lived as the show’s growing popularity also brings increased pressure and scrutiny. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Primetime Movie Story Review: PRIMETIME is adapted from the 2007 Esquire article 'Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die' by Luke Dittrich. Ajon Singh's story is inspired by real-life events and is quite fascinating. Ajon Singh's screenplay is a mixed bag. While some scenes are exceptional, several sequences fail to make the mark. The dialogues are okay. As it happens with most films released by PVR Inox Pictures, there are no subtitles and hence, some dialogues might not be easy to comprehend.

Lance Oppenheim’s direction is stylish. What stands out about the storytelling is the manner in which several scenes are presented like an investigative television show from the 2000s. Hence, expect harsh CRT monitor blues, bleeding VHS tones, surveillance-camera footage and extreme close-ups. The narrow 1.50:1 aspect ratio also works well in this regard. The manner in which the team goes about exposing the predators makes for an interesting watch. Dan Plumb’s character and his dilemmas are also presented effectively.

On the flipside, the interest levels dip at several points. The track involving Chris’ personal life fails to engage. Moreover, the narrative style is quite niche and, hence, may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The finale is intriguing but also feels a bit abrupt.

Primetime Movie Review Performances: Robert Pattinson rises about the shortcomings of the writing and delivers a performance that is nuanced and effective. Chris's cold narcissism and an insatiable lust for ratings comes across very well on screen thanks to Robert's performance. Skyler Gisondo has a crucial part and delivers a fantastic performance. Merritt Wever and Matthew Maher leave a huge mark. Phoebe Bridgers (Del Harvey) is okay and doesn't get much scope. The same goes for Anna Faris (Mary; Chris's wife). The actor playing the Murphy police chief and child predators do well.

Primetime movie music and other technical aspects: Ari Balouzian's music is sinister, as per the film's mood. David Bolen's cinematography is one of a kind. Alex DiGerlando's production design and Alex Bovaird's costumes are realistic. Daniel Garber's editing is functional and could have been sharper.

Primetime Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, PRIMETIME boasts of a fascinating premise, stylish treatment and a terrific performance by Robert Pattinson. But the uneven writing, niche narrative and lack of consistent engagement restrict its impact.

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HEART OF THE BEAST is an engaging survival drama that benefits from Brad Pitt’s act Movie Review: HEART OF THE BEAST is an engaging survival drama

Star Cast: Brad Pitt

Director: David Ayer

Heart Of The Beast Movie Review Synopsis: HEART OF THE BEAST is the story of a man surviving against all odds. James Belmont (Brad Pitt) is a retired command sergeant major who is flying his seaplane through the remote regions of Alaska. Giving him company is his dog, Odin (Uber), who served as a combat scouting dog during James’ war days. Odin lost a leg in combat and now wears a prosthetic limb. James developed a deep fondness for him and eventually adopted him. James is travelling through the wilderness, with no humans in sight, and is managing fairly well. However, things go downhill when his health deteriorates and his plane crashes. James survives the accident, but the nearest human settlement is 58 miles away. He and Odin now have to cover the entire distance on foot while battling harsh natural conditions and encounters with wild animals. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Heart Of The Beast Movie Story Review: Cameron Alexander's story is not novel and yet, it is intriguing. Cameron Alexander's screenplay is engaging. Despite Brad Pitt being the only actor, the writing is such that one is fully involved with the proceedings. The dialogues are minimal, while the monologue is lovely.

David Ayer's direction is unhurried, which is a departure from some of his hyper-macho and mass-appealing films. The setting and the protagonist are introduced beautifully, and in no time, we get immersed in James’ world. The various encounters he goes through are memorable. But what takes the cake is his bond with Odin. In fact, the dog’s characterization is one of the film’s strongest and novelest aspects. The portrayal of a canine suffering from PTSD is particularly unique and adds considerable emotional depth to the narrative.

On the flipside, the film gives a déjà vu of CAST AWAY [2000], THE REVENANT [2015], etc. A little more explanation was needed as to why James undertook this journey in the first place. The makers smartly don’t reveal the year in which the film is set, and it probably doesn’t take place in the present day. Yet, one does wonder why James doesn’t have access to a mobile phone or even a satellite phone, which could have helped him call for assistance. Lastly, the buzz around the film is quite limited.

Heart Of The Beast Movie Review Performances: Brad Pitt is terrific and the manner in which he displays his physical and emotional vulnerability, while ensuring the performance doesn't go overboard, is exemplary. An Oscar-nominated-worthy performance for sure. The dog, Uber, deserves a mention for sure, as his performance is remarkable, to say the least. J K Simmons (Watkins) is decent in a supporting role. Anna Lambe (girl in the pickup) is memorable.

Heart Of The Beast movie music and other technical aspects: Jared Michael Fry's music is minimal yet very impactful. Mauro Fiore's cinematography is breathtaking. The locales of New Zealand are captured beautifully by the lensman. Greg Berry's production design and Amanda Neale's costumes are authentic. Dody Dorn's editing is functional.

Heart Of The Beast Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, HEART OF THE BEAST is an engaging survival drama that benefits immensely from Brad Pitt’s terrific performance, breathtaking visuals and the touching and novel characterization of the dog. Brad Pitt’s presence gives it an added advantage in India, but in a crowded release period where AVENGERS ENDGAME: ENCORE is expected to dominate, HEART OF THE BEAST will need strong patronage from its target audience to make a mark at the box office.

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LUST STORIES 3 makes for a reasonably entertaining watch, thanks to its interesting concepts Movie Review: LUST STORIES 3 makes for a reasonably entertaining watch.

Star Cast: Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma, Gurfateh Pirzada, Ali Fazal, Radhikka Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari

Director: Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, Vishal Bhardwaj

Lust Stories 3 Movie Review Synopsis: LUST STORIES 3 is the story of couples caught in unique situations. Padma (Radhika Apte) is married to Hemant (Vijay Varma), while her best friend, Shonali (Konkona Sen Sharma), is the wife of Debendu (Abhishek Banerjee). Padma and Shonali are unhappy with their respective sex lives and decide to swap partners. Karan (Gurfateh Pirzada) is a pizza delivery boy who bumps into Lisa (Sana Thampi), a nail artist. Sparks fly between the two. However, Lisa is unaware that Karan has a hidden side that can have disastrous consequences for both of them. Varun (Ali Fazal) marries his sweetheart, Sailee (Radhikka Madan), and a few years later, they decide to separate. But they soon find themselves in a ‘can’t-live-with-can’t-live-without’ situation. Lastly, in 1987 Hyderabad, Saira (Aditi Rao Hydari), unsatisfied by her husband Badru (Siddharth) in bed, finds a unique and naughty way to articulate her unfulfilled desires. However, things don’t go as planned.

Lust Stories 3 Movie Story Review: The stories, as expected, are in the zone of love and lust. The Gurfateh-Sana track, written by Tanaji Dasgupta and Kiran Rao, also has a bit of crime thrown in. The screenplay is largely breezy. Avinash Sampath's screenplay for the Radhika-Konkona track is novel and keeps the interest going. However, the last two stories are stretched. Sumukhi Suresh's dialogues for the Radhika-Konkona track are hilarious and add tremendously to the fun quotient. The dialogues in the Aditi-Siddharth story also work well.

Vikramaditya Motwane's direction is convincing. The idea is crazy, but Vikramaditya handles it like a pro. Moreover, it is rare for an Indian title to show the impact of Korean shows even among the aam junta, who are often binge-watching their Hindi-dubbed versions. The finale is unexpected. Kiran Rao's direction stands out compared to her execution style in DHOBI GHAT [2011] and LAAPATAA LADIES [2024]. Shakun Batra's direction is fine but, compared to the work of the other directors, seems below par. Nevertheless, he captures some moments exceptionally well. Vishal Bhardwaj's direction is over-the-top per the requirement. There has already been a film and a popular web series based on a similar idea, but Vishal takes it on a different tangent, which makes for an entertaining watch.

On the flipside, the length is an issue this time. While LUST STORIES [2018] was around 2 hours long, LUST STORIES 2 [2023] had a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. LUST STORIES 3, meanwhile, runs for 2 hours and 44 minutes. One may not feel the length during the first two stories, but the third story, directed by Shakun Batra, particularly gets lengthy. Moreover, a crucial dinner scene seems unconvincing; the realization that the couple arrives at doesn’t come across organically. The Kiran Rao track has an interesting suspense element that many might not see coming. However, the climax seems rather abrupt, considering that dangerous drug lords are involved. The Vishal Bhardwaj track has fun and naughty undertones, though it doesn’t seem convincing in a few places. Lastly, the biggest drawback is that the earlier instalments had set a benchmark. The Kiara Advani vibrator scene in LUST STORIES and the intimate sequence featuring Vijay Varma and Tamannaah Bhatia in LUST STORIES 2 are memorable even today. No such lust-laden or memorable scene exists in LUST STORIES 3, and this may go against the expectations of viewers.

Love Or Lust With Lust Stories 3 Cast On Bollywood Hungama | Radhika Apte, Vijay Varma, Radhika Madan

Lust Stories 3 Movie Review Performances: Both Radhika Apte and Konkona Sen Sharma deliver highly entertaining performances. They take the story to dizzying heights with performances that are nuanced and yet very mass-appealing. Abhishek Banerjee and Vijay Varma, too, put their best foot forward. Gurfateh Pirzada looks dashing and proves yet again that he’s an actor to watch out for. Sana Thampi is an excellent find and delivers an arresting performance. Ali Fazal and Radhikka Madan are equally impactful. Aditi Rao Hydari gets her act right and ably delivers as per the requirement. Siddharth is adorable and delivers a sincere performance. Anirudh Surya (David Lobo) in the Radhika-Konkona track leaves a mark. Jiyoung Son (Jin; voiced by Suvela Sharma) and Tenzein Choden (Min; voiced by Sonal Kaushal) are very memorable despite having brief cameos. Rajat Kapoor (Therapist) flawlessly slips into the role. Vijay Maurya (Ravi Uncle) is dependable as always. Gajraj Rao (Abbujaan) is very cute, and only an actor of his calibre could have pulled off the part so effectively. Nivedita Bhargava (Guide Madam), Bhagyashree (Rajjo), Vaishali Bisht (Rajjo’s mother) and Alok Jain (Rajjo’s father) are fair.

Lust Stories 3 movie music and other technical aspects: The songs are well woven into the narrative. ‘Aaye Miyan Khat Phat’ is the only song that stands out. The cinematography is satisfactory. The production design across the four stories is visually appealing and yet remains true to their respective worlds. The costumes are straight out of life and realistic. The editing could have been sharper, especially in the last two stories.

Lust Stories 3 Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, LUST STORIES 3 makes for a reasonably entertaining watch, thanks to its interesting concepts, fine performances and some genuinely engaging moments. However, the excessive runtime, uneven storytelling and, most importantly, the lack of a bold and memorable lust-driven sequence like the earlier instalments prevent it from making the same impact. Nevertheless, given the popularity of the LUST STORIES franchise, it is bound to attract huge viewership.

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VIBE works due to Kunal Kemmu’s command over humour, one-liners and performances Movie Review: VIBE works due to Kunal Kemmu’s strong command over humour

Star Cast: Kunal Kemmu, Preity G Zinta, Sparsh Srivastava, Vanshika Dhir

Director: Kunal Kemmu

Vibe Movie Review Synopsis: VIBE is the story of two friends who land in serious trouble. Bhagirath aka Bugs (Sparsh Srivastava) works as a software developer at a company called Next Phase Technologies in Mumbai. His best friend, Hardik Sharma (Kunal Kemmu), is quite sharp but has just been released from drug rehab. Bugs requests his boss to hire Hardik, and the latter joins the company’s marketing department. Here, he meets Kareena (Vanshika Dhir), and sparks fly between the two. All is going well until one day, all hell breaks loose for Hardik and Bugs. A fiery national security agent, Madam H (Preity G Zinta), and her team abduct the duo and compel them to work on a top-secret mission. They can’t back out as it’s a matter of national security. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Vibe Movie Story Review: Kunal Kemmu's story is a bit clichéd but works well within the zone of the film.  Kunal Kemmu's screenplay is simplistic and peppered with hilarious dialogues and moments that keep the interest going. However, the writing falters whenever the film gets serious. Kunal Kemmu's dialogues are one of the high points. The one-liners land effectively, and a few of them will be lapped up big time by viewers. Some of the one-liners are adult in nature, which explains the film's 'A' rating.

Kunal Kemmu's direction is functional. He is a pro when it comes to humour and he proved it with MADGAON EXPRESS [2024]. The film is a bit in the zone of GO GOA GONE [2013] and a few Hollywood films where two simpletons are forced to fight the baddies. However, since it is set in Mumbai and also has a terrorism act, it works well for the Indian audiences. The circumstances under which Hardik and Bugs come into contact with Madam H are hilarious and also quite unexpected. The dinner scene involving Kareena and her father (Mark Bennington) is also very funny, while the intermission point is equally shocking.

On the flipside, the film falters in the second half once humour takes a backseat. The twist involving the villain is just about okay and makes VIBE feel somewhat routine. The makers raise intriguing questions about how a suspicious individual could change her identity and gain access to a prominent tech company, whether an insider was involved, and whether there is a leak within the team. However, the film conveniently leaves these intriguing threads unresolved, making one wonder why they were introduced in the first place. Moreover, the film’s title and overall tone are such that it is likely to appeal primarily to urban audiences.

Vibe Movie Review Performances: Kunal Kemmu is great not just as a writer-director but also as an actor. Playing such goofy roles comes naturally to him and even in VIBE, he essays it with full conviction. Many scenes turn funnier than what was written on paper because of his act. Preity G Zinta looks stunning and performance-wise, she’s first-rate. Her action scene is memorable. Sparsh Srivastava shines and ensures that he doesn’t get dominated by Kunal and Preity. He also gets to show his acting and humour prowess effectively and makes good use of it. Vanshika Dhir is not merely eye candy and has a crucial role. Performance-wise, she’s satisfactory. Dinesh Lal Yadav aka Nirahua (Bansi) and Yashpal Sharma (Rawal) are very convincing and also entertaining. Salem Kali (Abid) is just okay, while Mark Bennington leaves a mark. Rajesh Krishnan (Bug's Boss) is funny. Uorfi Javed (Chanchal Screwvala) and Aaditya Kulshreshth aka Kullu (Hardik's colleague) do well in cameo appearances.

Vibe movie music and other technical aspects: Amit Trviedi's music is just okay. 'Raaton Mein Aana' is memorable for its whistle theme and picturization. This is followed by 'Aisi Meri Vibe', 'Rafta Rafta' and 'Sipahi Ek'. John Stewart Eduri's background score is in sync with the film’s happenings.

Kaushal Shah's cinematography is neat. Prachi Deshpande's production design is classy, while Rick Roy's costumes are glamorous. Parvez Shaikh's action and Brahm Chab's stunt design are devoid of gore and entertaining. But it could have been better. Anand Subaya and Sanjay Shrirang Ingle's editing is functional.

Vibe Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, VIBE works due to Kunal Kemmu’s strong command over humour, several hilarious one-liners and entertaining performances. Though the film loses steam in the second half and the villain track feels routine, it has enough madcap moments to keep viewers amused. At the box office, its urban appeal and youth-friendly humour should help it find its target audience.

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RESIDENT EVIL works due to Zach Cregger’s fresh video game-like treatment, Austin Abrams’ engaging performance and several well-executed scares Movie Review: RESIDENT EVIL works

Star Cast: Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis

Director: Zach Cregger

Resident Evil Movie Review Synopsis: RESIDENT EVIL is the story of a man's crazy night. Bryan (Austin Abrams) is a medical courier who reaches a hospital with a parcel. He wants to finish his job and return to his girlfriend Michelle to have an important discussion. However, Dr Maria Stokes (Emily Piggford) tempts him with double the fee to make a high-priority delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. Bryan agrees and leaves immediately. The highway to Raccoon City is deserted and slippery from heavy snowfall. All of a sudden, he begins encountering strange creatures who initially appear to need help but instead try to attack him. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Resident Evil Movie Story Review: Zach Cregger and Shay Hatten's story is impressive as it remains in the zone of the RESIDENT EVIL series and at the same time, provides a novel touch. Zach Cregger and Shay Hatten's screenplay is gripping and the inclusion of jumpscares at regular intervals adds to the fun. However, the writing is slightly underwhelming in the second half. The dialogues add a dash of humour to the proceedings.

Zach Cregger's direction is exemplary. He had proved his worth with WEAPONS [2025] and he brings his creative directorial skills once again in this film. RESIDENT EVIL began as a video game and this film is treated like one. As a result, there's a shift in tonality from the rest of the films, but ardent fans won't mind it, as Zach has handled it well. Also, one is aware that the zombies will attack. But when and how they'll attack is what keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. This is especially during the madness that occurs on the highway and in the caravan. The climax is also quite arresting and the film ends on a decisive note.

On the flipside, a bit of repetition sets in during the second half. The events of the first half are so nicely done that the second half pales in comparison. The entire underground drain sequence is interesting, but it needlessly drags the narrative and doesn’t add much to the scare quotient. Moreover, despite the makers’ best efforts, some fans may miss the legacy characters. None of them are present, as the makers this time focus on new, original characters. Even the humour, at times, overpowers the scare element. Those watching the film in India may also be disappointed by the anti-alcohol and anti-smoking ticker at the bottom right of the screen, which is quite large and often distracts from the happenings on screen. A smaller ticker would have helped. Lastly, the series does not have a huge following in India.

Resident Evil Movie Review Performances: Austin Abrams dominates maximum screen time and delivers a smashing and entertaining performance. He’s not playing a typical hero. He’s a young lad, confused about his future with his girlfriend, who is now forced to survive amid all the madness and chaos. Hence, his ‘average Joe’ look and approach makes him very relatable. Zach Cherry (Carl) lends able support and Kali Reis (Maxine) is quite good. Paul Walter Hauser (Paul; scientist) is there for just a few minutes but shines. Johnno Wilson (Wilson; sheriff) is fair. Andrea Miltnerová (first zombie that Bryan encounters) rocks the show with her performance and expressions.

Resident Evil movie music and other technical aspects: Hays Holladay and Ryan Holladay's music, along with Dariusz Wolski's cinematography, enhances the eeriness. Special mention must also be made of the stunning locations, which have been captured beautifully by the lensman. Caroline Fahrer's costumes are realistic. Tom Hammock's production design is well-researched. The action is gory but its crucial to the narrative and not added for the heck of it. The VFX is top-class. Joe Murphy's editing is overall satisfactory but could have been crisper in a few parts in the second half.

Resident Evil Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, RESIDENT EVIL works due to Zach Cregger’s fresh video game-like treatment, Austin Abrams’ engaging performance and several well-executed scares. At the box office, its prospects in India may initially be limited by the franchise’s limited following, but it has the potential to spring a surprise if the target audience turns up in large numbers.

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DAAYRA impresses with its premise and performances but falters in the second half and climax Movie Review: DAAYRA falters in its second half and climax

Star Cast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran

Director: Meghna Gulzar

Daayra Movie Review Synopsis: DAAYRA is the story of two cops with contrasting styles of working. A young girl, Ragini (Pragati Mishra), disappears from a highway. Her mother, Parvati (Kshitee Jog), and brother Kabir (Bhavesh Babbani) approach the cops, but they don't take her case seriously. The next day, her burnt body is found on a deserted stretch. The case dominates headlines in the media, adding pressure on the Teerthana police. DCP Raman Kumar (Prithviraj Sukumaran) is given the charge of nabbing the culprits. Within a few days, he and his team arrest four men. Before they can be produced in court, they are shot dead. DCP Raman and his team claim that they tried to escape and even fired at the cops. When the police returned fire, the accused lost their lives. While the country celebrates their deaths, a section of society alleges that it was a staged encounter. The pressure from the Human Rights Department is immense and hence, DCP Ajooni Kohli (Kareena Kapoor Khan) of the Internal Vigilance Unit is asked to head an SIT and find out the truth. As a result, she heads to Suryapur, the scene of the crime. Ajooni has a no-nonsense and zero-prejudice approach to her work and is determined to find out what exactly happened and whether DCP Raman and his team are guilty. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Daayra Movie Story Review: Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal and Meghna Gulzar's story is inspired by a particular real-life incident, while the makers have also drawn from other similar episodes to spin a largely interesting tale. Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal and Meghna Gulzar's screenplay is captivating and peppered with some memorable dramatic moments. However, it gets confusing in a few places and loses steam completely in the climax. Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal and Meghna Gulzar's dialogues add to the drama, though a few more hard-hitting and sharp lines could have elevated the impact.

Meghna Gulzar's direction is decent. The filmmaker goes back to her TALVAR [2015] zone with this one and approaches the subject in a similar manner. She doesn’t waste any time and comes straight to the point from the very first scene. The intercuts between the conversations of the two teams are smartly done, and viewers are gradually acquainted with what exactly happened. Meghna also attempts to shatter preconceived notions in the second half. Viewers expect the film to go a certain way, especially with the track involving the accused, but it takes an unexpected turn. A few scenes are memorable, like Ajooni recreating the scene of the crime and finding discrepancies, Parvati being made to wait at the police station and the press conference after the encounter. The intermission point is also memorable.

On the flipside, the film gets a bit stretched in the post-interval portions. In a few places, viewers may briefly get confused as it becomes difficult to ascertain whether the narrative is in flashback mode or unfolding in the present day. The circumstances under which Ragini is fooled are also difficult to digest, especially since a truck is involved. But the biggest issue with the film is that there’s no climax as such. The film ends rather abruptly. One expects fireworks and a confrontation between the two leads, but nothing of that sort happens. Viewers may be stunned when the end credits suddenly start rolling, as the film does not provide the kind of dramatic payoff one expects. This impacts the film heavily.

Daayra Movie Review Performances: Kareena Kapoor Khan keeps her act subtle and yet, delivers an effective performance. Unlike other female cop characters in recent past, she’s not depressed or alcoholic and hence, it makes for a novel watch. Prithviraj Sukumaran is terrific. His dialogue delivery is superb, but watch out for how he communicates merely through his eyes. Kshitee Jog shines, especially in the first half. Bhavesh Babbani, too, puts his best foot forward. Biswapati Sarkar (Commissioner Prakash Anand) does well, but his comic image is so strong that it becomes difficult to imagine him as a Commissioner and Prithviraj’s boss. Jitendra Joshi (Inspector Karad), as always, is dependable. Brij Bhushan Shukla (Inspector Bala; who refuses to file an FIR) leaves a huge mark. Upendra Chauhan (Vishal Mishra; team Ajooni), Ipshita Singh (Aarti; team Ajooni) and the actor playing Gopal lend able support. Trupti Khamkar (SI Jyoti; team DCP) is memorable in the chase sequence. Sandesh Kulkarni (Head constable Vasu; team DCP), Saksham Dayma (Inspector Daya; team DCP), Manoj Sharma (Constable Prasad Nayar and driver; team DCP), Ram Diwakar (Raju), Ashutosh Kumar Gupta (Bablu), Abdul Mani (Mani) and Aditya Kumar (Mastan) are fair. Achint Kaur (Gomti Pujari) and Kanwaljit Singh (Judge Kohli) are impressive in the cameo appearances.

Daayra movie music and other technical aspects: The lone song (by Amit Trivedi) – the title track – is forgettable. However, Ketan Sodha's background score is very impactful and enhances the impact in several scenes.

Saurabh Goswami's cinematography is praiseworthy, especially the use of close shots.Parvez Shaikh's action is minimal and not gory or violent. Subrata Chakraborty, Amit Ray's production design and Karishma Sharma's costumes are straight out of life. Charu Shree Roy and Meghna Gulzar's editing is smart, especially the intercuts. But it could have been sharper post-interval.

Daayra Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, DAAYRA rests on an intriguing premise and strong performances by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. However, the stretched second half and, more importantly, the absence of a satisfying climax heavily dilute the overall impact. At the box office, the buzz around the film is limited and it will need strong word of mouth from the multiplex audience to make a mark.

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HAIWAAN rests on strong performances and engaging face-offs, but its disjointed screenplay, weak songs and underwhelming climax dilute the impact Movie Review: Disjointed screenplay, weak songs and underwhelming climax dilute HAIWAAN’s impact

Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan

Director: Priyadarshan

Haiwaan Movie Review Synopsis: HAIWAAN is the story of a blind man fighting a notorious man. Shyam (Saif Ali Khan) is a young, blind man who works as a maintenance manager in an upscale society of Mumbai. His family is based in Devgad; his sister Shraddha (Yamini Joshi) is about to get married and Shyam needs to raise money for it and also to pay off a loan. Shyam is very close to Judge Pradhan (Boman Irani), the ex-chief justice of India, a resident of the same society where Shyam works. Pradhan confides to Shyam about a guilt that he's carrying since a long time and it is associated with a man called Parshuram (Akshay Kumar). Pradhan is trying to find him but is unable to do so. Unknown to Pradhan, Parshuram has set his eyes on him and is waiting for the right opportunity to attack the former. What Parshuram doesn't realize is that a blind man will wreak havoc for him. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Haiwaan Movie Story Review: HAIWAAN is adapted from the Malayalam film OPPAM [2016]. Priyadarshan's story has immense potential. However, Priyadarshan, Abilash Nair and Rohan Shankar's screenplay is weak, stretched and disjointed. Rohan Shankar's dialogues are fine. Some funny one-liners are in trademark Priyadarshan style but don’t have the same impact as his previous films.

Priyadarshan's direction has its moments. To give credit where it’s due, a few scenes are interesting, especially the ones involving Shyam and Parshuram. Whenever the two face off, the interest levels automatically go up. A massy scene involving Shyam at the police station is clapworthy, though it comes too late in the day. The phone booth sequence also takes one by surprise. The work of the technical team is first-rate and helps enhance the tension in several scenes.

On the flipside, the first half is disjointed and it takes a while to understand how the various characters are connected. The numerous songs further make the proceedings tedious. A few aspects are also never properly explained. Shyam is a maintenance manager employed by the society, yet he frequently takes leave to accompany Judge Pradhan to the hills and even to meet Nandini (Pahal Ashok Choudhary). It is also bewildering how Parshuram managed to amass so much wealth. Another major issue is that the film has too many subplots, and most of them are not tied up satisfactorily. The culmination of the Devgad track is abrupt, while the female characters don't get their proper due towards the end. The climax fight is meant to be nail-biting but ends up being unintentionally funny.

Haiwaan Movie Review Performances: Akshay Kumar gets his act right, and the way he lets his silence do the talking is impressive. However, his dialogue delivery is a bit over-the-top. Moreover, his screen time is limited, especially in the first half. Saif Ali Khan has the maximum screen time and delivers an effective performance. His portrayal of a visually impaired man is convincing, and he also impresses in the action scenes where he takes on the baddies. Boman Irani is dependable as always. Saiyami Kher (Inspector Varsha) is decent, though her role seems too similar to JAAT [2025]. Shriya Pilgaonkar (Naina) is fair but is let down by the writing. The same goes for Sharib Hashmi (Senior Inspector Ashok Shinde), while a few of his jokes fail to land. Late Asrani (Security Guard Hussein) is adorable. Rajesh Sharma (SP Rohit Vardhan) is okay, while Pahal Ashok Choudhary is cute. Yamini Joshi, Manoj Joshi (Pandurang) and Suchitra Pillai (Catherine D'Souza; Principal) are good in small roles.

Haiwaan movie music and other technical aspects: Pritam's music is forgettable. 'Rangiyara', 'Mere Hero Hai Woh' and the marriage song don’t work as intended. Ronnie Raphael's background score enhances the tension.

Divakar Mani's cinematography is superior and the silhouette shots especially stand out. Stunt Silva and Ravi Thyagarajan's action is realistic. Sabu Cyril's production design is superior, and Komal Shahani Mohan & V Sai Babu's costumes are convincing. Aiyappan Nair M S's editing is weak; the film should have been shorter by 30 minutes.

Haiwaan Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, HAIWAAN rests on Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar’s performances, a few engaging face-offs and strong technical values. However, the disjointed screenplay, excessive subplots, weak songs and an underwhelming climax limit its impact. With the hype around the film also being quite low, its box-office prospects appear dim.

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LAST MAN IN TOWER rests on a relatable premise and is elevated by sincere performances Movie Review: LAST MAN IN TOWER rests on a highly relatable premise

Star Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Divya Dutta, Boman Irani

Director: Ben Rekhi

Last Man In Tower Movie Review Synopsis: LAST MAN IN TOWER is the story of a man and his principles. The year is 2010. Yogesh Mishra (Manoj Bajpayee) lives alone in a 2BHK flat in Vishram Society in Vakola, Mumbai. The building, built in 1961, is dilapidated, and renovation work has stalled because some members, struggling to make ends meet, cannot contribute to the expenses. At this juncture, builder Dharmen Shah (Boman Irani) of Determination Group enters their lives. He realizes that Vishram Society enjoys a prime location, being in close proximity to the airport, BKC and Dharavi, the latter of which is expected to emerge as a major financial centre in the future. Hence, he plans to demolish Vishram Society and build a residential complex called Shanghai in its place. In return, he offers the residents 2.5 times the market value of their flats. In other words, the residents are promised Rs. 25,000 per sq ft for their homes. Most of them are overjoyed by the seemingly too-good-to-be-true offer. Yogesh, however, refuses to accept it due to a past experience and also because the flat holds cherished memories of his late wife. A few elderly residents initially stand by him as well. His refusal soon creates friction among the residents and turns the once-harmonious society into a divided house. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Last Man In Tower Movie Story Review: LAST MAN IN TOWER is based on the book of the same name by Aravind Adiga. The story is very relevant in today's times. Sooni Taraporevala's screenplay is simple and captivating. But it loses steam in the third act. Juhi Chaturvedi's dialogues are realistic and also a bit dramatic as required.

Ben Rekhi's direction is decent. The characters are presented in a very realistic and relatable manner. Moreover, with the redevelopment boom at an all-time high in urban areas, one can easily connect with the goings-on. Many of us have witnessed similar conflicts around us – a section of residents, especially the younger ones, are more than willing to give up their flats in return for a handsome sum, a bigger residence and modern amenities in a plush new building. On the other hand, the older residents are often reluctant to give up their homes, thereby leading to friction. In LAST MAN IN TOWER, this conflict turns the best of friends into sworn enemies, with a few residents going to insane lengths to get their way. Some scenes that work well in this regard are the ones where the secretary, Kothari (Harish Khanna), forges Yogesh's signature and when thieves break into Yogesh's flat.

On the flipside, the film gets a bit abstract after a point. The scene where Yogesh suddenly starts talking to birds seems out of place and forced. Interestingly, a few scenes shown in the trailer are missing from the final film; their inclusion could have possibly enhanced the impact. The climax is shocking and is likely to leave viewers divided. Lastly, the buzz around the film is minimal, which could prove detrimental to its box-office prospects.

Last Man In Tower Movie Review Performances: Manoj Bajpayee delivers a very heartfelt and heroic performance of a man who doesn’t flinch even when the world is against him. The character is not without flaws and even that is subtly presented by the talented actor. Boman Irani gets his act right as a greedy builder who can go to any lengths. However, his illness angle is barely utilized; the film would have worked without focusing on it as well. Divya Dutta (Sangeeta Puri) has a crucial character and as always, she comes out with flying colours. Playing Sangeeta is a challenge as she’s complicated, but Divya makes her act effortless. Among the other residents, Chandan Roy Sanyal (Ramesh Ajwani) leaves the maximum mark followed by Uday Chandra (Mr Pinto), Madhuri Bhatia (Mrs Pinto), Harish Khanna and Swaroopa Ghosh (Mrs Rego; single mother). Sukant Goel (Gaurav Mishra; Yogesh's son) leaves a huge mark. Sarika Singh (Sonal Mishra; Yogesh's daughter-in-law) and Srikant Yadav (Shanmugham; Dharmen's aide) are fair.

Last Man In Tower movie music and other technical aspects: Govind Vasantha's music gets no scope. Govind Vasantha's background score is in sync with the film's mood. Rangarajan Ramabadran's cinematography has a cinematic appeal. Sachin Lovalekar's costumes are very realistic, while Rakesh Kumar Yadav's production design is straight out of life. Meghna Manchanda Sen and Akshara Prabhakar's editing is appropriate.

Last Man In Tower Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, LAST MAN IN TOWER rests on a highly relatable premise and is elevated by sincere performances, especially by Manoj Bajpayee and Divya Dutta. However, the uneven third act, abstract treatment in portions and a divisive climax dilute its overall impact. At the box office, the film will need strong word of mouth to overcome its low buzz and make a mark.

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Powered by powerhouse performances, whistle-worthy dialogues, massy moments and a rousing finale MIRZAPUR THE MOVIE is a paisa-vasool big-screen entertainer Movie Review: MIRZAPUR THE MOVIE is a paisa vasool big-screen entertainer

Star Cast: Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar

Director: Gurmmeet Singh

Mirzapur The Movie Review Synopsis: MIRZAPUR THE MOVIE is the story of power and ambition. Akhandanand Tripathi aka Kaleen Bhaiyya (Pankaj Tripathi) is the undisputed king, or ‘baahubali’, of Mirzapur. He has little faith in his son, Phoolchand Tripathi aka Munna (Divyenndu), and is far more impressed by the abilities of Govind Pandit aka Guddu (Ali Fazal) and Vinay Pandit aka Bablu (Jitendra Kumar). Meanwhile, J P Yadav (Pramod Pathak) puts pressure on Kaleen Bhaiyya to arrange funds for his upcoming election campaign. In order to raise the money, Kaleen begins looking for a new supplier. This is when Bablu gets a tip about Babban Yadav (Ravi Kishan), a Jaisalmer-based businessman who is looking to sell seven truckloads of drugs. However, Babban has an ulterior motive – he intends to eliminate Kaleen Bhaiyya. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Mirzapur The Movie Story Review: Puneet Krishna's story is impressive and organically fits into the MIRZAPUR universe. Puneet Krishna's screenplay is very captivating and peppered with strong confrontational and action sequences. However, the writing in the middle of the second half leaves a lot to be desired. Puneet Krishna's dialogues are one of the highlights. A few one-liners are sure to be lapped up by the masses and could also go viral on social media.

Gurmmeet Singh's direction is mass-appealing. MIRZAPUR THE MOVIE is a unique experiment as it takes a popular web-series universe to the big screen. Moreover, it is not a continuation of the most recent season that dropped digitally. Instead, its story is set between Episodes 6 and 7 of the first season. This is a challenging proposition since the developments in the film cannot contradict or affect what happens subsequently in the series. In this regard, the writer emerges victorious, while Gurmmeet Singh also ensures that the continuity and essence of the MIRZAPUR universe remain intact. The film has a runtime of more than three hours, and yet, one doesn't get bored even for a moment. The action sequences may not be in abundance, but the film compensates with several powerful dramatic face-offs that elevate the impact. Some of the scenes that leave a mark are Guddu’s tu-tu main-main with his father while his mother tries on the woollen clothes, Guddu and Munna’s encounter at the salon, Babban’s argument with Vasudha Pandit (Sheeba Chaddha) and Guddu’s first meeting with Babban. However, the scene that takes the cake is the one in which Munna admonishes J P Yadav. It is sure to create a frenzy among the masses. The finale, too, is bound to get a roaring response in cinemas.

On the flipside, the film gets a bit stretched in the post-interval portions, while the romantic sequences feel forced. In fact, except for Beena Tripathi (Rasika Dugal) and Mumtaz Bibi (Sonal Chauhan), the rest of the actresses don’t have much to do. Babban’s decision to eliminate Kaleen Bhaiyya also seems unconvincing, as he doesn’t have a strong enough motive to take such an extreme step. Moreover, the film is predictable because, as mentioned earlier, it is set in the middle of the first season. Hence, one is already aware of the fate of several characters. As a result, a crucial scene in which a character’s heart stops beating has limited impact since the viewer knows that the character will survive.

Mirzapur The Movie Review Performances: Pankaj Tripathi delivers a supreme performance. Right from the first sequence, he ensures one forgets his light-hearted and comic avatars and sees him as the King of Mirzapur. Ali Fazal is terrific in his massiest performance to date. He plays to the gallery perfectly without going overboard. Divyenndu, too, puts his best foot forward and ensures that viewers get their money’s worth. Apart from his massy scenes, his emotional portion in the beginning also stands out. Jitendra Kumar had a big responsibility as he’s replacing Vikrant Massey. But he manages to effortlessly slip into the character. Ravi Kishan is too good. His fan following has gone through the roof lately and thankfully, the makers here have done full justice to his character, especially in the finale. Pramod Pathak, Sheeba Chaddha and Rasika Dugal have limited screen time, but they leave a tremendous mark. Sonal Chauhan looks stunning and delivers a fair performance; an actress who deserves to be seen more. Abhishek Banerjee (Subodh aka Compunder), Kulbhushan Kharbanda (Satyanand Tripathi), Shaji Choudhary (Maqbool) and Anangsha Biswas (Zarina) lend able support. Shweta Tripathi (Golu) and Shriya Pilgaonkar (Sweety) are impressive. Sadly, they don’t have much to do. Harshita Gaur (Dimpy) is wasted. Sushant Singh (Bhairav Singh Karnawat) and Rajesh Tailang (Ramakant Pandit) are dependable. Mohitt Maalik (Birju Lohar) delivers a decent performance. Satendra Soni (Chandu Puncture) is entertaining and the surprise of the film.

Mirzapur The Movie music and other technical aspects: The songs don’t register at all. 'Ghoom Ghoom' is the best of the lot, more due to the picturization and placement. 'Vaaroon Forever', 'Do Numbari', 'Sanson Ki Mala' and 'Vindhyvasini Ki Jao Ho' are average. John Stewart Eduri's background score is much better and enhances the impact of several scenes.

Sanjay Kapoor's cinematography is top-notch and lends the film a grandeur that surpasses the web series, giving it the much-needed cinematic feel. Amin Khatib's action is gory, and it works well for the film in this zone. Sonam Singh and Abhijit Gaonkar's production design is classy, while Darshan Jalan and Neelanchal Ghosh's costumes are realistic yet stylish. Manan Ashwin Mehta's editing is functional but could have been sharper in some scenes.

Mirzapur The Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, MIRZAPUR THE MOVIE is a paisa-vasool big-screen entertainer that successfully transports the much-loved world of MIRZAPUR from OTT to cinemas. The powerhouse performances, whistle-worthy dialogues, gripping confrontations, massy moments and a rousing finale compensate for the stretched portions and predictable nature of the narrative. The film has opened strongly at the box office and is on course to enter the Rs. 100 crore club over the opening weekend. With Rs. 200 crore well within reach, its strong audience response and franchise value could translate into a major theatrical success.

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GANDHARI is a below-average drama salvaged to an extent by Taapsee Pannu’s act Movie Review: GANDHARI is a below average revenge drama

Star Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Ishwak Singh, Mita Vashisht

Director: Devashish Makhija

Gandhari Movie Review Synopsis: GANDHARI is the story of a brave mother. Bani (Taapsee Pannu) is married to Gokul (Ishwak Singh), and they have a daughter, Mishty (Myrah Shivan). While on a holiday, they pass through Joypurra. At the railway station, Mishty is kidnapped. Bani runs after the kidnapper but gets injured in the process, causing her to lose her eyesight. Bani and Gokul immediately approach the cops. Though the police assure them that they’ll find Mishty, they don't seem to take the case seriously. However, they are forced into action when AHTU sends a tough officer, Kabir (Jatin Sarna), to investigate the rising number of kidnappings of girls from Joypurra. Meanwhile, Bani bumps into Jhunu Amba (Mita Vashisht), with whom she shares a connection from the past. Jhunu motivates Bani to toughen up and take on the gang responsible for Mishty’s kidnapping. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Gandhari Movie Story Review: Kanika Kapoor's story is promising. Kanika Kapoor's screenplay is a mixed bag. While a few aspects are novel, there are places where the writing falters as well. Kanika Kapoor's dialogues heighten the drama.

Devashish Makhija's direction is commercial. The manner in which Bani’s blindness track is handled is unexpected and unlike anything one has seen in films featuring protagonists who have lost their eyesight. Even the Bahrupi community of Joypurra adds to the intrigue. The town, the community and the Chaumukhi festival are depicted so realistically that viewers might assume they actually exist and are not fictional. The film is less than two hours long, and the makers don’t waste any time, keeping the focus firmly on the principal plot of a mother seeking revenge.

On the flipside, there are far too many cinematic liberties. In some scenes, it is difficult to believe that Bani could have pulled off certain acts without anyone getting a whiff of her true intentions. The whole kidnapping and missing girls’ angle gets a bit confusing. A few characters, such as Uma (Chhaya Kadam) and Somesh (Chandan Roy), are also introduced rather abruptly into the narrative. However, where the film falters the most is in its depiction of the bond between Bani and Gokul. The manner in which things unfold between them in the climax is highly unconvincing. One can even argue that it was not even needed in the first place. Lastly, it is bewildering and even unintentionally amusing that Bani doesn’t remember her past or the fact that she had gone through a similar ordeal earlier.

Gandhari Movie Review Performances: Taapsee Pannu, as expected, delivers a fabulous performance. She’s apt for such roles and impresses not just in action but also in the emotional scenes. Ishwak Singh puts up a sincere act but is let down a bit by the writing. Jatin Sarna leaves a tremendous mark. Mita Vashisht gets to play a badass role and performs ably. Chhaya Kadam is great and one wishes she had more screen time. The same goes for Chandan Roy. Myrah Shivan is cute. Prashant Narayanan (Dada) and Swastika Mukherjee (Churni) do well in small roles. Priti Shroff (ASI Sanjukta) is a great find, while Vishwanath Chatterjee (Inspector Saha) is fair.

Gandhari movie music and other technical aspects: Shor Police's music is well-woven into the narrative. However, none of the songs register. Shor Police's background score is better, especially in the action scenes.

Amit Roy's cinematography is satisfactory. Brahim Achhabake, Riyaz Shaikh, Habib Sayed and Anis Shaikh's action is exciting and not too gory, though there was scope to make it more violent. Nikhil Kovale and Apurva Bhagat's production design is authentic, and Prashant Sawant's costumes are realistic. Naman Arora's editing is too slick in some places but overall, fine.

Gandhari Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, GANDHARI is a below-average revenge drama that is salvaged to an extent by Taapsee Pannu’s powerful performance, an interesting setting and a few engaging moments. However, the impact is heavily diluted by excessive cinematic liberties, confusing portions and weak writing, particularly in the third act.

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TOXIC impresses with scale, action and Yash’s swagger but is let down by an uneven screenplay, sluggish pacing and weak emotional connect Movie Review: TOXIC leans on style and swagger but lacks story and depth

Star Cast: Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, Huma Qureshi

Director: Geetu Mohandas

Toxic Movie Review Synopsis: TOXIC is the story of a man and the various women in his life. The year is 1947. India achieves independence, but Goa is still under Portuguese rule. Yet, it is Salvador (Darrell D'Silva) who's calling the shots. Raya (Yash) and his sister Ganga (Nayanthara) join Salvador's gang and soon rise through the ranks thanks to their wit and bravado. Raya bumps into Salvador's rebellious daughter Rebecca (Tara Sutaria) and the two have a fling. Rebecca falls completely in love with Raya but Raya gets smitten by Nadia (Kiara Advani), the owner of a circus and also its star performer. Nadia's entry brings a lot of excitement but also pain and anguish for Raya. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Toxic Movie Story Review: Yash and Geetu Mohandas's story must have sounded exciting on paper. However, Yash and Geetu Mohandas's screenplay is bizarre and neither in the commercial nor in the artistic zone. Yash and Geetu Mohandas's dialogues are sharp at several places. At the same time, a few one-liners are forced and over-the-top.

Geetu Mohandas's direction is weak. To give credit where it’s due, she handles the scale of the film well. The film is mounted spectacularly, and she ensures that the final product feels worthy of the big screen. A few scenes stand out, including Raya’s entry, Raya’s track with Ganga, and Raya and Nadia’s dinner date and what follows thereafter. The interval block – comprising the marriage scene and the sequence at the fort – also makes for an interesting watch.

On the flipside, the portions depicting Raya and Ganga’s childhood are a bit confusing. Raya’s entry into Salvador’s gang is also never explained properly. The track of Mellisa (Rukmini Vasanth) is very weak and childish. Until a certain point, there’s not much movement in the story and one wonders where the narrative is heading. The entry of Ticket (Yash) initially brings some energy. However, the fight between the characters once again pulls down the film. But it’s the twist in the climax that seals the fate of the film. It might have seemed interesting had TOXIC been a film festival offering. But adding such a twist to a commercial film backfires, as it is likely to go bouncer for the masses. The other major issue is that the slow-motion scenes and Raya’s characterization give a strong KGF and even ANIMAL hangover.

Toxic Movie Review Performances: Yash puts in a lot of effort and it shows. He looks dashing while doing action and serenading the ladies. At the same time, he also ends up hamming in some scenes. Kiara Advani is the best performer in the film; her track is quite interesting. Nayanthara comes next. She looks stunning and performance-wise, she’s terrific. Tara Sutaria is a surprise and leaves a huge mark. Huma Qureshi, as always, is dependable and the same goes for Akshay Oberoi. Rukmini Vasanth is okay and her track comes at a time when the audience has lost interest in the film. Darrell D'Silva, Sudev Nair (Karmadi) and others are fair.

Toxic movie music and other technical aspects: Songs are okay. 'Tabaahi' is the best song of the lot and works due to its melody and picturization. 'Madhosh' and 'Waqt' are just okay. Ravi Basrur's background score elevates the impact.

Rajeev Ravi's cinematography gives the film a grand, cinematic look. J J Perry, Anbariv, Kecha Khamphakdee and Amrit Singh's action is gory, as per the times. T P Abid's production design is classy. Saniya Sardhariya's costumes for Yash are stylish while Neha R Bajaj's costumes for the others are glamorous. DNEG's VFX is top-class. Ujwal Kulkarni's editing is fine but could have been sharper especially in the Macau scenes.

Toxic Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, TOXIC relies far too heavily on style, swagger and the familiar KGF-esque aura of Yash, while falling short on a compelling story and emotional connect. The performances, scale, action and technical finesse provide occasional highs, but the uneven screenplay, sluggish portions and a climax twist that is unlikely to resonate with the mass audience prove to be major deterrents. At the box office, TOXIC is expected to take a very good opening, driven by Yash’s immense popularity, strong pre-release buzz and the film’s event-scale presentation. However, unless audience word of mouth is significantly stronger than the film merits, collections could witness a noticeable drop over the weekend itself or, at the latest, from Monday.

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