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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PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE benefits from fun dinosaur setting, cute characters and engaging climax Movie Review: PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE benefits from a fun dinosaur setting

Star Cast: Henry Bolan, Ron Pardo, Carter Young, Hayden Chamberlain

Director: Cal Brunker

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie Review Synopsis: PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE is the story of the mighty dogs befriending dinosaurs. The Paw Patrol goes to sea to rescue a yacht that catches fire. While returning to Adventure City, they get caught in a storm. Their boat veers towards a mysterious island that is nowhere to be seen on the map. Ryder (Henry Bolan), the leader of the patrol, decides to explore the island along with his dog squad, comprising Marshall (Carter Young), Chase (Rain Janjua), Skye (McKenna Grace), Rubble (Lucien Duncan-Reid), Rocky (William Desrosiers) and Zuma (Nylan Parthipan). They get the shock of their lives when they realize that the island is populated by gigantic but friendly dinosaurs. They also bump into a dog, Rex (Hayden Chamberlain), who has been stranded on the island for years and has befriended the creatures. Ryder and the squad return to Adventure City and inform the world about the presence of dinosaurs on ‘Dino Island’. As a result, experts from all over the world descend on the island to study the dinosaurs. Humdinger (Ron Pardo) also lands there, but with ulterior motives. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie Story Review: Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen's story is much more interesting this time. Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen's screenplay is breezy and fast-paced, though like the previous parts, the writing suffers at some places. The dialogues add to the humour quotient.

Cal Brunker's direction is simple and kid-friendly. The previous parts also appealed to the kids more than the adults, unlike the other animated films that target the whole family. However, this part goes a notch above the first two installments as this time, the action shifts from Adventure City to an island full of dinosaurs. And these prehistoric creatures are not on a killing spree and are quite adorable. Rhubarb especially is very cute. While Chase and Skye faced trauma in the earlier films, this time, it’s Marshall who goes through a phase of self-doubt, which adds to the emotional impact. The climax is quite nail-biting and helps take the series several notches higher.

On the flipside, the film gets too illogical and senseless in places. Agreed, one doesn’t necessarily look for logic in a kiddie film, but a Disney-Pixar or DreamWorks production would have probably taken greater care of such loose ends. For instance, initially, it appears that entry to Dino Island is restricted. However, it later becomes clear that there’s no one actually monitoring access, as Humdinger manages to sneak in quite easily. If that’s the case, wouldn’t tourists and social media influencers have descended on the island in hordes to shoot videos and Reels with the dinosaurs? The character of Rex, a paraplegic dog, is a nice touch, but surprisingly, no backstory is provided about how he lost the use of his legs. Also, the much-loved Liberty simply disappears from the squad in this instalment, without any explanation. The much-publicized cameo voiceovers by Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Hudson and others are blink-and-you-miss appearances. Lastly, the PAW PATROL franchise doesn’t enjoy the same level of popularity in India as it does in several international markets.

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie Review Performances: Speaking of the voiceovers, Carter Young gets the maximum prominence and does very well. Hayden Chamberlain, Henry Bolan and Ron Pardo also make a strong impression. Rain Janjua, McKenna Grace, Lucien Duncan-Reid and Nylan Parthipan lend able support. Terry Crews (Alistair Stonewall; dynamite expert) and Meredith MacNeill (Harper Cutlass; hunter) leave a mark.

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie music and other technical aspects: Pinar Toprak’s music is peppy. Peter Chan’s production design is vibrant. The animation is at par with global standards. Ed Fuller’s editing is razor-sharp.

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE benefits from a fun dinosaur setting, cute characters, and an engaging climax. However, the film is also quite illogical in places and suffers from loose ends. Moreover, the PAW PATROL series is not very popular in India, which could prove detrimental to its box office prospects.

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THE END OF OAK STREET is a gripping, visually striking and entertaining creature thriller Movie Review: THE END OF OAK STREET is an entertaining creature thriller.

Star Cast: Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella, Christian Convery

Director: David Robert Mitchell

The End Of Oak Street Movie Review Synopsis: THE END OF OAK STREET is the story of a family caught in an unusual and terrifying situation. The year is 1982. Denise Platt (Anne Hathaway) lives on Oak Street in the suburb of Flowervale with her husband Greg (Ewan McGregor), daughter Audrey (Maisy Stella) and son Brian (Christian Convery). Denise and Greg's marriage is on the rocks. Greg works as a delivery man for Pete's Pizza, and Denise has reservations about his job as she wants him to find more regular employment. Meanwhile, strange things begin occurring on Oak Street. A mysterious plant appears in the backyard of Denise's elderly neighbour. A huge pile of what looks like cow excrement mysteriously turns up in the yard of their neighbour, Mel (P J Byrne). One night, a huge white light suddenly engulfs Oak Street, followed by a loud noise and a power cut. The next morning, the Platts wake up and realize that the electricity has still not been restored. When they step outside, they get the shock of their lives as they see dinosaurs roaming around the neighbourhood. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The End Of Oak Street Movie Story Review: David Robert Mitchell's story is novel and fascinating. David Robert Mitchell's screenplay is gripping from the very first scene and keeps viewers hooked until the very end. The dialogues are conversational and a few one-liners are funny.

David Robert Mitchell's direction is splendid. He gives the film a distinct retro touch; hence, the colour tone, the execution and even the background score carry an old-world stamp. The plot is a winner. We have seen films about aliens attacking cities or dinosaurs wreaking havoc in parks specifically created for them. In THE END OF OAK STREET, however, dinosaurs are unleashed in an ordinary American suburb, which gives the premise a fresh spin. How the Platt family attempts to survive and battle these creatures makes for a thrilling watch. A few jump scares are sure to evoke screams in cinemas, while certain mass-appealing moments are likely to be greeted with applause.

On the flipside, the actions of a few characters seem illogical. This is especially evident around the mid-point, when both Audrey and Brian leave the house without informing their parents despite knowing that it is dangerous to be outside. The sub-plot involving Jeannette (Jordan Alexa Davis) and Kaden Tucker (Hudson Meek) seems forced and does not add much to the principal plot. Certain questions remain unanswered till the very end, which may not be liked by some sections of the audience. Lastly, the comic moments help ease the tension, but a few of them feel unwarranted.

The End Of Oak Street Movie Review Performances: Anne Hathaway delivers a solid performance that enhances the impact of the film. She is impressive in the action sequences, but truly shines in the emotional moments. Another scene where she stands out is when she clicks a picture of Greg with two dinosaurs in the background. The actress is on a roll. Earlier this year, she was seen in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 and THE ODYSSEY, and her roles in all three films are vastly different from one another, proving her versatility yet again. Ewan McGregor also makes his presence felt and dominates some key scenes. Maisy Stella and Christian Convery also put their best foot forward. Jordan Alexa Davis and Hudson Meek do well but are let down by the writing. P J Byrne is okay. Anne Gee Byrd (Mrs Huddleston) leaves a huge mark in a small role. Emily Kuroda (Mrs Valcourt; librarian) is fair.

The End Of Oak Street movie music and other technical aspects: Michael Giacchino's music has a retro touch and is perfectly in sync with the film’s mood. Michael Gioulakis's cinematography is praiseworthy. In certain shots, a split-diopter lens appears to have been used, allowing a character or object in the extreme foreground and another element in the distant background to remain in sharp focus simultaneously. It lends a distinctive visual touch to the film.

The action is realistic as well as gory. The VFX is top-class. Erin Benach's costumes and Maya Shimoguchi's production design effectively recreate the bygone era. John Axelrad's editing is sharp and unhurried.

The End Of Oak Street Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THE END OF OAK STREET is a gripping, visually striking and entertaining creature thriller that scores with its novel premise, retro treatment, thrilling dinosaur sequences and strong performances by Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor. The film has managed to register decent advance bookings despite the clash with AWARAPAN 2 and BATWARA 1947. As a result, it has the potential to surprise at the ticket windows.

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AWARAPAN 2 is a mass-appealing action entertainer, powered by Emraan Hashmi, nostalgia, emotion and whistle-worthy moments Movie Review: AWARAPAN 2 is a mass-appealing action entertainer

Star Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani, Shabana Azmi

Director: Nitin Kakkar

Awarapan 2 Movie Review Synopsis: AWARAPAN 2 is the story of a man on a mission. Nineteen years have passed since the events of the first part. Shivam Pandit (Emraan Hashmi) has survived and continues to mourn the untimely demise of Aaliyah Hamid (Shriya Saran). He forms a bond with an abandoned child, whom he names Aaliyah (Myrah Shivan). When the girl finds herself in trouble, Shivam brings back his old, brave and fearless avatar. He travels to Bangkok and takes on members of a dangerous gang to save Aaliyah. Amid the chaos, he finds solace in Zara (Disha Patani). What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Awarapan 2 Movie Story Review: Vishesh Bhatt's story carries the essence of the first part. Bilal Siddiqi and Vishesh Bhatt's screenplay is engaging and peppered with engaging and emotional moments. However, the writing could have been tighter and less predictable. Bilal Siddiqi and Vishesh Bhatt's dialogues (additional dialogues by Sanjay Masoom) are in sync with the zone of the film.

Nitin Kakkar's direction is mass appealing. He nicely plays on the nostalgia factor and moreover, presents the protagonist in an extremely likeable avatar. Hence, one roots for Shivam from start to finish. The antagonist's track and his equation with his siblings is another riveting track that will be lapped up by the audience. There's abundance of action which will find patronage from the mass audience and single screen patrons. Certain scenes will lead to lots of claps and whistles.

On the flipside, despite the best efforts, the film falls short of the greatness of AWARAPAN [2007], which has become a cult classic. The romantic track between Shivam and Zara doesn't work as intended. A few twists are predictable and one can guess from a mile away. A few scenes are silly like the villain allowing the protagonist to survive and not killing. It makes no sense considering that he's shown to be quite ruthless. Lastly, the final scene will leave the audience divided.

Awarapan 2 Movie Review Performances: Emraan Hashmi is presented in a mass appealing avatar and will be loved. There's been a huge demand to see him in such a character but he had not done a role of this kind in a long time. Hence, masses and his fans will be in for a treat. Disha Patani looks stunning and gives a first-rate performance. Shabana Azmi (Nafisa Nawaz) is lovely and one wishes she had more screen time. Puran Gabbi (Zorawar) is a great find and is a big surprise. Aniruddh Rawal (Sikandar) is another actor that will be appreciated. Suvinder Vicky (Jaideep), Vijayant Kohli (Mehmood) and Atul Kumar (Samarth) lend able support. Myrah Shivan delivers a confident performance. Shriya Saran and Shaad Randhawa's cameos are fair.

Awarapan 2 movie music and other technical aspects: The music is decent and again, no match to the soundtrack of the original. 'Tera Mera Rishta Continues' and 'Toh Phir Aao' are the best of the lot followed by 'Yeh Awarapan' and 'Ve Junoon'. 'Tumhare Liye', 'Piya Ghar Aaya' and 'Laado' fail to entice. Raju Singh's background score is much better.

Vishnu Rao's cinematography is stunning. The locales of Rajasthan and Bangkok are spectacularly shot. Aejaz Gulab and Kawee Sirikhanaerut's action is a bit gory. Shiraz Siddique and Maxima Basu's costumes are stylish while Sunayana Sabherwal and Tarpan Shrivastavaa's production design is classy. Devendra Murdeshwar's editing is sharp and could have been better in beginning of the second half.

Awarapan 2 Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, AWARAPAN 2 works as a mass-appealing action entertainer powered by Emraan Hashmi’s likeable performance, nostalgia, emotion and whistle-worthy moments. At the box office, the film is all set for a smashing opening and a strong weekend, and this will prove to be one of the biggest hits of the year.

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OHH MY DOG is an endearing entertainer that scores with its adorable canine hero Movie Review: OHH MY DOG is an endearing and unusual entertainer

Star Cast: Mahi Rai, Pankaj Tripathi, Pavan Malhotra

Director: Amit Rai

Ohh My Dog Movie Review Synopsis: OHH MY DOG is the story of two dogs and their devoted masters. In Dibrugarh, Assam, a dog named Momo is adopted by a young boy, Apu (Mahi Rai), and his parents (Geeta Agarwal and Prashant Kashyap). One day, Momo suddenly disappears from outside their house. Apu and his mother approach the local police station for help. However, the SHO, Mohd Yusuf Hazari (Vijay Mishra), refuses to take action. He informs them that Momo may have been abducted by a gang involved in smuggling dogs for their meat and advises them not to harbour much hope. However, Apu refuses to accept defeat and decides to track down Momo on his own. Meanwhile, in Patna, Bihar, the situation is reversed. Oscar’s master, Prince (Nikhil Kumar), an underage construction worker, is kidnapped. It is Oscar who raises an alarm over Prince’s disappearance, prompting the others at the construction site to take the matter seriously. They approach Prince’s teacher (Pankaj Tripathi) for help. Here, too, the police officer (Rajesh Kumar) is reluctant to assist them. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Ohh My Dog Movie Story Review: Amit Rai's story is unconventional as the story centres around dogs. Amit Rai's screenplay is gripping and peppered with thrilling as well as clapworthy moments. However, the writing gets stretched in some places. Amit Rai's dialogues are conversational and, in some places, he has also cleverly infused some funny one-liners.

Amit Rai’s direction is praiseworthy. It is no cakewalk to helm a film in which a dog is one of the principal characters. In this regard, Amit deserves brownie points for getting the animal to perform convincingly and even execute action sequences. Moreover, Oscar’s actions are so adorable and heroic that children are sure to lap them up. Bollywood rarely makes films primarily for young audiences, and OHH MY DOG comes as a breath of fresh air in this space. Meanwhile, the parallel track involving the child in Assam is equally immersive. A particular sequence in which Apu traces his missing dog’s movements from a nullah to a riverbank stands out. The entry of the RTO officer (Pavan Malhotra) further adds to the madness.

On the flipside, at 150 minutes, the film is a little too long and could easily have been shorter by around 15 minutes. A few portions are needlessly stretched, while the writing becomes unconvincing in places. The behaviour of the SHO in Dibrugarh is difficult to digest. Apu uses illegal apps to track down the kidnappers in the presence of the police, and the officer should ideally have objected to it. Also, considering his ulterior motive, it seems unlikely that he would openly inform Apu’s mother about the gang involved in kidnapping dogs. The sequence featuring 250 dogs is visually appealing and is sure to wow viewers, but it also takes away from the film’s realism. Lastly, the music fails to make an impact.

Ohh My Dog Movie Review Performances: The human actors put their best foot forward, but it is the dog Bruno, who plays Oscar, who takes the cake with his cuteness and bravery. Mahi Rai comes next. He puts up a confident performance and dominates the other actors. Pankaj Tripathi is adorable in what could be called a supporting role. Pavan Malhotra has a late entry and makes up for it with his arresting screen presence. Geeta Agarwal gets into the skin of her character. Vijay Mishra and Rajesh Kumar leave a huge mark. Nikhil Kumar is aptly cast. Sulakhyana Baruah (Krishna; Apu's teacher) is a great find. Bulloo Kumar (Kidnapper) puts up a fine act.

Ohh My Dog movie music and other technical aspects: Aman Pant's music doesn’t entice. However, Mangesh Dhakde's background score is much better and in sync with the film’s happenings.

Mate Herbai's cinematography is terrific. Bihar and Assam have never been captured before in this manner in a Hindi film. Some shots are captured from the point of view of the dog and it adds to the tension. Ashwini Shrivastav's production design is realistic while Isaac Hamon and Sunil Rodrigues' action is entertaining. White Apple's VFX is satisfactory. Suvir Nath's editing could have been crisper.

Ohh My Dog Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, OHH MY DOG is an endearing and unusual entertainer that scores with its adorable canine hero, engaging performances and several thrilling, clapworthy moments. However, the low pre-release buzz and the arrival of strong competition next week could restrict its box-office prospects. It will therefore need positive word of mouth to draw audiences to cinemas and sustain at the ticket window.

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BHAI TERA STAR HAI is an unfunny comedy that fails to make the most of its premise Movie Review: BHAI TERA STAR HAI is a chaotic and unfunny comedy

Star Cast: Raghav Juyal, Sanjay Kapoor, Niharika NM

Director: Vivek B Agrawal

Bhai Tera Star Hai Movie Review Synopsis: BHAI TERA STAR HAI is the story of a man in trouble. Ajay Singh (Raghav Juyal) is a struggling actor living in London. He owes £10,000 to Fatty (Sanjay Kapoor), a dreaded don and pub owner. Fed up with the repeated delays, Fatty gives Ajay 90 minutes to repay the money. Ajay leaves the pub and meets his girlfriend, Roshni (Niharika NM), asking her for financial help. He lies that his sister, Natasha (Parvathy Omanakuttan), is pregnant and urgently needs money. At the same time, he tells Natasha that Roshni is expecting a child and, therefore, requires money urgently. Meanwhile, Roshni asks her brother, Sid (Vivan Bhatena), to arrange the cash. Sid has lent money to several women and goes around the city trying to recover it from them. One of these women is his former girlfriend, Natasha, who also happens to be Ajay’s sister. Soon, several other characters become embroiled in the madness that unfolds over the course of one night. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Bhai Tera Star Hai Movie Story Review: Sudipto Sarkar and Vivek B Agrawal's story may have sounded very exciting and novel on paper. Sudipto Sarkar and Vivek B Agrawal's screenplay is witty in the sense that it has multiple one take shots. However, the goings-on are bizarre and not funny at all. Sudipto Sarkar and Vivek B Agrawal's dialogues (additional dialogues by Vanika Sangtani, Puneet Sheth, Kamya Mehra) are just okay. Only a few one-liners are funny.

Vivek B Agrawal’s direction is poor. To give credit where it is due, the film features several five- to ten-minute-long takes. It is commendable how the makers manage to pack so much action into scenes filmed in a single take. Moreover, these sequences are not restricted to one location or a static frame; some even unfold on the streets, adding to the chaos. The idea of the protagonist separately lying to his sister and girlfriend about the other being pregnant in order to raise money is clever and could have generated considerable entertainment. The character of Fatty is also amusing – a dreaded don in front of the world who is, ironically, terrified of his wife, Mandy (Niki Walia).

Yet, the film simply fails to impress, as there is hardly anything genuinely funny in it. Despite being just 105 minutes long, it becomes a chore to sit through. The lengthy single-take sequences cease to impress after the first few minutes, while the proceedings become increasingly bizarre as the film progresses. A crucial plot point involves a character being shot in the neck or shoulder. At times, he appears to be in immense pain, but in other scenes, he behaves as though he has suffered only a minor scratch. He does not receive any treatment for his serious injury until the very end and simply goes home! The finale is highly convenient. While most of the tracks are neatly wrapped up, one major subplot is left unresolved.

Bhai Tera Star Hai Movie Review Performances: Raghav Juyal is amusing in a few scenes, but overall, his performance is too loud, possibly due to the requirement of the script. Niharika NM has an arresting screen presence and delivers a subtle and effective performance. Sanjay Kapoor is aptly cast and tries his best to enhance the impact. Tina Desai (Chandani) is lovely in what could be called her comeback role. Barkha Singh (Laila), Parvathy Omanakuttan and Vivan Bhatena are sincere. Vikalp Mehta (JD) is fine but is let down by his character. Niki Walia and Dev Agarwal (Jackie; younger brother) are just okay. Chandan Roy Sanyal (Officer Hamid) tries his best, but his character just doesn’t entice. Naser Al Azzeh (Harry) and Vineeth Kumar (Sandy) are forced into the narrative.

Bhai Tera Star Hai movie music and other technical aspects: Amit Trivedi’s music is not up to the mark. The title track plays during the opening credits. Meanwhile, believe it or not, but as many as three songs – ‘Aankhon Se Tune 2.0’, ‘Nach De Lalariya’ and ‘Rang Barse’ – are played back-to-back during the end credits. ‘Aankhon Se Tune 2.0’ stands out due to its picturization, though it is rather forcefully incorporated into the narrative. Shivam-Anuj’s background score is also excessively loud, while the intermittent use of ‘Reel’-style sound effects is a put-off.

Tribhuvan Babu Sadineni’s cinematography is commendable, particularly in the way the lengthy single-take sequences have been executed. The production design is decent. Rick Roy's costumes are rich. Avantika Hari's editing is smart.

Bhai Tera Star Hai Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, BHAI TERA STAR HAI is a chaotic and unfunny comedy that fails to make the most of its interesting premise and single-take sequences. With limited buzz and the film clashing with the monstrous SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY, it is likely to struggle to attract audiences at the box office.

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SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY swings high on heart, humour and action, making for one of the franchise's strongest outings Movie Review: High on emotion, humour and heroism SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY is less multiverse, more heart.

Marvel has spent the last few years chasing bigger worlds, bigger stakes and bigger crossovers. But after the emotionally devastating finale of SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME, the franchise didn't need another multiverse headache, it needed Peter Parker. SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY understands exactly that. Instead of trying to outdo its predecessor with endless cameos and universe-hopping madness, the film strips things back to what made Spider-Man a global favourite in the first place: a young man trying to do the right thing even when life refuses to cut him a break. The result is a refreshing, emotionally grounded and thoroughly entertaining superhero film that reminds us why the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man still reigns supreme.

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Review Synopsis With the world having forgotten Peter Parker's existence, Spider-Man is now truly on his own. Juggling responsibility and relentless crime-fighting, Peter has accepted that saving the city often comes at the cost of having a life of his own. But when a dangerous new enemy emerges and old wounds begin resurfacing, Peter is forced to confront challenges that test not just his powers, but his resilience. As New York becomes the battlefield once again, Spider-Man discovers that every new beginning comes with a price.

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Movie Review The smartest decision SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY makes is refusing to become SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME 2.0. This isn't a film obsessed with nostalgia. It's interested in something far more compelling, watching Peter Parker rebuild his life from scratch. The screenplay keeps its focus firmly on character. Peter's loneliness isn't milked for sympathy; it's woven naturally into the story, making every victory feel earned and every setback sting just a little more. The humour lands, the emotional beats feel genuine and, thankfully, the film knows when to slow down instead of sprinting from one explosion to the next.

What truly works is the balance. The film delivers enough laughs to keep things breezy, enough action to satisfy Marvel fans and enough emotional depth to make you care about the man beneath the mask. Even the quieter scenes carry weight because the audience is invested in Peter, not just Spider-Man. The third act does become a little overcrowded, with a few familiar Marvel tendencies creeping in. Some plot turns arrive a touch conveniently and one or two supporting characters deserved more screen time. But these are minor speed bumps in an otherwise engaging ride.

Most importantly, SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY finally lets Peter grow up and the franchise is all the better for it.

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Movie Review Performances Tom Holland is, once again, the film's biggest strength. He has now completely owned the role, effortlessly blending awkward charm, self-deprecating humour and emotional vulnerability. This is arguably his most mature performance as Spider-Man, proving he no longer needs bigger spectacles to shine.

Zendaya is likeable and though her screen time is limited, she makes her presence felt.

The supporting cast is equally dependable, bringing warmth, humour and just enough intrigue without stealing the spotlight. Their chemistry keeps the emotional stakes grounded, ensuring the film never loses sight of its human side amid the superhero chaos.

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Movie, Music and Technical Review Visually, Brand New Day feels sharper and more confident than several recent Marvel outings. The CGI is polished without becoming overwhelming, while the web-swinging sequences are genuinely exhilarating and among the film's biggest crowd-pleasers. The action choreography deserves special mention. Every fight has its own rhythm, making full use of Spider-Man's agility rather than relying on repetitive CGI mayhem. The background score complements the emotional moments beautifully before exploding into full superhero mode during the larger set pieces. Crisp editing and confident direction ensure the film rarely loses momentum.

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Movie Review Conclusion On the whole, SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY proves that Spider-Man doesn't need a multiverse to be marvellous. All he needs is a strong story, genuine emotion and a hero worth rooting for. Funny, heartfelt and packed with thrilling action, this is one of the most satisfying SPIDER-MAN films in years and a welcome reminder that sometimes the smallest stories leave the biggest impact. At the box office, the film is poised for a thunderous start and has all the ingredients to emerge as the biggest SPIDER-MAN hit ever.

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TERA YAAR HOON MAIN has a mass-friendly premise but a dated narrative and weak humour Movie Review: TERA YAAR HOON MAIN has a mass-friendly premise but a dated narrative.

Star Cast: Aman Indra Kumar, Akanksha Sharma

Director: Milap Milan Zaveri

Tera Yaar Hoon Main Movie Review Synopsis: TERA YAAR HOON MAIN is the story of a young man and his unusual bond with his friend and the latter’s daughter. Sanju (Aman Indra Kumar) lives in Nagpur with his mother, Saru (Mrinal Deshmukh). At her insistence, he takes up a job in Mumbai and agrees to stay at the residence of Saru’s friend, Vishwanath Purohit (Paresh Rawal), aka Vishu. Vishu lives with his wife, Nandini (Supriya Pilgaonkar), who detests him, and their daughter, Anu (Akanksha Sharma), who adores him more than anyone else. Vishu has a reputation for always keeping his word and never going back on a promise. Meanwhile, Sanju falls in love with Anu. However, she has no feelings for him and has agreed to marry Aditya (Abhishek Mandrecha), the man chosen by her father. Sanju and Vishu become thick friends, and the former confesses his feelings for Anu to the latter. However, Vishu’s determination to honour his promise complicates matters. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Tera Yaar Hoon Main Movie Story Review: TERA YAAR HOON MAIN is a remake of HELLO GURU PREMA KOSAME [2018]. The story is commercial and has the potential to appeal to the masses. But Rajan Agarwal's screenplay fails to entice and is peppered with moments that fail to up the entertainment quotient in the film. Milap Milan Zaveri's dialogues are okay. A few one-liners work well, but some of them miss the mark.

Milap Milan Zaveri’s direction is average. To give credit where it’s due, he keeps the narrative simple and massy, intending to appeal to the lowest common denominator. The opening title card evokes a lovely sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of old Hindi film title cards, with instrumental versions of the film’s songs playing in the background. Along with romance and humour, he also incorporates action and emotion into the narrative. The friendship between Sanju and Vishu is endearing.

On the flipside, several scenes, which are intended to be funny, fail to raise laughs. The story seems dated. Several plot points are difficult to digest and a few gags seem to be lifted or inspired from similar scenes in famous films like HADH KAR DI AAPNE [2000], INDIAN [2001] etc. A film of this kind may have worked 10 years ago, but in today's times, it may not impress even the masses. Moreover, the original film’s Hindi dubbed version has been widely consumed. This might further restrict its viewership.

Tera Yaar Hoon Main Movie Review Performances: Aman Indra Kumar shows promise and does well, especially in emotional and confrontational sequences. However, he could do better in comic scenes. Akanksha Sharma has an arresting presence and delivers a first-rate performance. Both actors dance exceptionally well. Paresh Rawal is the soul of the film and dominates several key scenes. Supriya Pilgaonkar raises the maximum laughs followed by Darshan Jariwala (Tanisha's father). Neha Khan (Tanisha) is fair in a supporting role. Abhishek Mandrecha and Mrinal Kulkarni don't get much scope. Rajesh Khera is just okay. Mehaan Milap Zaveri (guest at the Nagpur wedding) is cute while Johny Lever (cab driver) is dependable.

Tera Yaar Hoon Main movie music and other technical aspects: A film like this should have had chartbuster songs. Sadly, the album has failed to generate any excitement. Having said that, 'Maine Dil Tujhko Diya' is foot-tapping. 'Tanu Ko Manu Chahiye' is novel and reminds one of 'Apun Bola Tu Meri Laila' from JOSH [2000].

Nigam Bomzan's cinematography is satisfactory. Avani Pratap Gumber's costumes are stylish, especially the ones worn by the lead actors and Neha Khan. Tajamul Shaikh and Anshita Manot's production design is appealing in the scenes of Vishwanath's residence but tacky in the exterior portions. Amin Khatib's action is mass appealing. Maahir Zaveri's editing could have been crisper.

Tera Yaar Hoon Main Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, TERA YAAR HOON MAIN has a mass-friendly premise and is aided by Paresh Rawal’s strong performance and the warm friendship track. However, its dated narrative, weak humour and unconvincing plot points dilute the impact. At the box office, the film is likely to face an uphill task.

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THE INDIA STORY has a powerful subject, but weak writing and dull courtroom drama blunt its impact. Movie Review: THE INDIA STORY's powerful subject is let down by weak writing.

Star Cast: Shreyas Talpade, Kajal Aggarwal Kitchlu

Director: Chettan D K

The India Story Movie Review Synopsis:

THE INDIA STORY is the story of a man taking on the entire system. Yogesh Patil’s (Shreyas Talpade) daughter, Pari (Trisha Sharda), passes away from cancer at the age of six or seven. Yogesh approaches a police station in his city, Pune, and alleges that she was murdered. The cops find his complaint frivolous and throw him out. He then approaches several lawyers, but they, too, decline to fight his case. Finally, Advocate Archana (Kajal Aggarwal Kitchlu) decides to take it up as her first case. At the Bombay High Court, Archana argues before a two-judge bench comprising Justice M Dave (C P Thakur) and Justice J Prabhakar (Atul Tiwari) that Pari died after consuming fruits, vegetables, milk and other food products contaminated with pesticides and harmful chemicals. She holds the farmers, pesticide companies and the government at large responsible for her death and requests the court to take action against them. The case becomes a major talking point across the country. Farmers, in particular, are aghast, as they consider themselves ‘annadaatas’ but are now being branded as murderers. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The India Story Movie Story Review: Sagar Shinde's story is hard-hitting and astonishing. However, Sagar Shinde's screenplay fails to do justice to such a promising plot. Very few sequences manage to stand out. Sagar Shinde's dialogues are sharp. However, this courtroom drama doesn’t have a single dialogue that will compel viewers to break into applause. Moreover, due to the censor cuts, some of the one-liners fail to create the desired impact.

Chettan D K’s direction is not up to the mark. To give credit where it is due, he brings to the screen a topic that urgently deserves to be discussed. The timing is also apt, given the recent crackdown in Maharashtra on unhygienic practices at prominent restaurants and eateries. A few scenes stand out. In one such sequence, IG Vijay Rathod (Murli Sharma) is aghast upon learning how certain unscrupulous elements in society produce milk. He recalls savouring a milk-based sweet and encouraging his son to drink milk for better health. Another important scene features Archana’s conversation with a farmer, Rajaram (Rahul Belapurkar), who explains why he separately grows the food consumed by his family. Some portions are deeply moving, especially those depicting the ordeal Pari goes through.

However, as aforementioned, a film which is a courtroom drama and which is tackling such a burning topic should have had exhilarating or clapworthy moments. THE INDIA STORY is devoid of any such moment. The opposition lawyer, Vardhan Agnihotri (Manish Wadhwa), does make strong arguments. But shockingly, he doesn’t get any witness from his side. He merely defends the points raised by Archana. Ideally, when such big corporations are involved, they’ll go all out to save their face in the court. However, their head honchos are just shown discussing in boardrooms that the case will destroy their company and then silently accepting their fate! The other issue with the film is that it’s too disturbing, especially the hospital scenes in the second half. Agreed that it was important to show the hardships. Yet, it gets too heavy and may not be liked by the audience. Lastly, the twist at the intermission point is great, but one wonders why Archana hides the fact from the court and the world at large?

The India Story Movie Review Performances: Shreyas Talpade has a limited contribution in the first half. But he dominates key scenes of the post-interval portions and delivers a heartfelt performance. He makes sure not to go overboard and hence; his act looks very authentic. A few of his scenes will leave viewers teary-eyed. Kajal Aggarwal Kitchlu, meanwhile, is the soul of the first half and looks every inch a lawyer with a motive. Performance-wise, she’s first rate. Child actor Trisha Sharda is cute and plays a difficult role with panache. Murli Sharma and Manish Wadhwa are dependable. C P Thakur and Atul Tiwari are decent. Sachin Parekh (Dr Vikrant) and Kamlesh Sawant (Inspector Jangam) leave a mark in small roles. Alok Kapoor (Yogesh's father) and Anu More (Yogesh's mother) get no scope, while Ganesh Yadav (Opposition leader) is wasted.

The India Story movie music and other technical aspects: Mangesh Dhakade's music is poor. Not a single song stands out. 'Gubbara Chaand Ka' consists of animated scenes; however, it looks out of place. Mangesh Dhakade's background score is just okay.

Nishant Bhagwat's cinematography is functional. Mitesh Zore's production design is authentic. Kirti Jangam's costumes are realistic. The use of AI is tacky. Akash Mhatre's editing is fair but could have been better in scenes involving censor cuts.

The India Story Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THE INDIA STORY rests on an important and hard-hitting subject, but weak writing and ineffective courtroom drama dilute its impact. It releases with negligible buzz and, therefore, stands virtually no chance of succeeding at the box office.

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JAN NETA is an engaging entertainer powered by Thalapathy Vijay’s electrifying screen presence Movie Review: JAN NETA is a familiar yet engaging mass entertainer

Star Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol

Director: H Vinoth

Jan Neta Movie Review Synopsis: JAN NETA is the story of an extraordinary man. The year is 2013. Thalapathy (Thalapathy Vijay) is serving a prison sentence at Madurai Central Jail. Several attempts have been made to kill him behind bars, but he has survived each one due to his courage and fighting prowess. The newly appointed jailer, Srikanth (Gautham Vasudev Menon), is intrigued by Thalapathy and begins looking into his past. Srikanth’s wife is no more, and he is single-handedly raising his daughter, Viji (Mamitha Baiju). Srikanth temporarily allows Thalapathy to leave prison to visit his mother (Revathy), who is on her deathbed. This decision leads to Srikanth’s suspension. After being released from jail, Thalapathy immediately goes to meet Srikanth, as he feels responsible for his predicament. He also forms an instant bond with Viji. When Srikanth dies in a road accident, Thalapathy takes responsibility for Viji and raises her as his own daughter. Meanwhile, John Himler (Bobby Deol), like Thalapathy, is also imprisoned, but in Swasnia, an African nation. He brutally escapes from prison, killing several inmates in the process. He aims to attack India in a manner that the authorities could never have anticipated. He is aided by Roja Rangaswamy (Prakash Raj), an influential politician in Tamil Nadu. How Thalapathy stands in their way and how he, John and Roja are connected forms the rest of the story.

Jan Neta Movie Story Review: H Vinoth's story is partially inspired by the 2023 Telugu film, BHAGAVANATH KESARI. The plot is cliched and routine. H Vinoth's screenplay is captivating and peppered with several moments that would appeal to the masses. However, the writing also falters in some places. H Vinoth's dialogues add to the entertainment quotient.

H Vinoth's direction is simple and easy to apprehend, despite the story being set in different eras. Interestingly, it tells a story which is been told before in Hindi and various South film industries. Moreover, it has a run time of 183 minutes. Yet, the film never feels boring. There’s something or the other happening at every minute and it keeps the viewers firmly invested in the story. Moreover, the film explores themes such as political corruption, secularism, patriotism and women’s safety. A crucial sequence involving a character going on a hunger strike is especially timely and is likely to resonate in light of recent developments in the country.

On the flipside, John Himler’s origin story is silly and difficult to digest. The way the robotic creatures are depicted is substandard. Audiences today are accustomed to watching far superior visual effects in Western films, and JAN NETA falls short on that front. Moreover, certain dialogues and references are likely to appeal primarily to the film’s core audience, that is, the Tamil-speaking moviegoers. Lastly, Vijay does not enjoy the same level of popularity in North India as Allu Arjun or Prabhas, which could further restrict the film’s reach in Hindi-speaking markets.

Jan Neta Movie Review Performances: Thalapathy Vijay delivers a terrific performance. His mere presence is electrifying, and the impact rises several notches whenever he displays his trademark swag or mouths hard-hitting dialogues. He will be remembered as a rare mass superstar with an enviable track record at the box office. Mamitha Baiju has a crucial role and delivers an impactful performance. A few of her scenes would be lapped up by the male and female audiences alike. Pooja Hegde (Kayal) looks gorgeous and lends able support. Bobby Deol is superb as the antagonist, even though the writing lets him down. Prakash Raj goes back to his SINGHAM [2011] and WANTED [2009] avatar and impresses as the baddie. Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priyamani (Leela Devi), Revathy (Thalapathy’s mother), Nassar (Arivudai Nambi; CM), Sunil (Velu; corrupt cop), Narain (Khaleel), Teejay Arunasalam (Karthik) are fair. The actress playing Porkodi makes her presence felt.

Jan Neta movie music and other technical aspects: Anirudh's music is well-woven into the narrative. 'Thalapathy Kacheri' and 'Jiye Tere Hi Sahaare' are the best songs of the lot and foot-tapping. 'Jhilmil Gudiya' and 'Sab Mera Tu' are soulful while 'Khoon Ka Devata' is exhilarating. Anirudh's background score enhances impact. The theme used in Bobby Deol’s scenes is quite cool.

Sathyan Sooryan's cinematography gives the film a cinematic appeal. ANL Arasu's action is a bit gory but not as much as seen in films like DHURANDHAR, ANIMAL, etc. Pallavi Singh's costumes are realistic while V Selvakumar's production design is satisfactory. The VFX could have been better, while the use of AI in the Swasnia scenes is of poor quality. Pradeep E Ragav's editing is slick.

Jan Neta Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, JAN NETA is a familiar yet engaging mass entertainer powered by Thalapathy Vijay’s electrifying screen presence, crowd-pleasing moments and a brisk narrative. Though several references and dialogues may have limited appeal for Hindi-speaking audiences, it is still the most mass-appealing film of the week. Its action, emotions and larger-than-life treatment could help it find an audience, particularly in B and C centres.

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WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is a madcap, no-holds-barred comic entertainer that works due to its brainrot humour, grand scale, massy moments and unexpected developments Movie Review: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is a no-holds-barred entertainer that works.

Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor

Director: Ahmed Khan

Welcome To The Jungle Movie Review Synopsis: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is the story of a film unit in jeopardy. Sinha (Zakir Hussain) is a rich businessman who gets a tip from a government insider, Ramprasad Udayvar (Brijendra Kala), that if the opposition party wins the upcoming elections, he’ll be jailed for financial fraud. Ramprasad advises him to indulge in loss-making to prevent himself from landing in prison. His trusted aide, Dubey (Johny Lever), advises him to make a grand flop film. The idea is to cast flop actors and directors so that there’s no chance of the film becoming a hit. Accordingly, Dev (Rajpal Yadav) and Das (Paresh Rawal) are hired as directors and Nainsukh (Shreyas Talpade) as the cinematographer. Rajiv Kohli (Akshay Kumar), an unsuccessful actor, is cast as the lead. Dev and Das are unable to repay the loan of dreaded gangsters Romeo (Arshad Warsi) and Yeda Anna (Suniel Shetty). When the gangsters learn that the director duo is working on a film, they order the latter to hire them. Sinha’s daughter Jenny (Jacqueline Fernandez) and Rajiv’s ex-flame Nadia (Disha Patani) are signed as actresses. More actors also join in, such as Rambo (Krushna Abhishek), Jumbo (Kiku Sharda), Rangwa (Mukesh Tiwari), Jagwa (Yashpal Sharma) and Daler (Daler Mehndi). They proceed to a hilly area to shoot the film. For the final schedule, the unit lands up in a town named Azadganj, which is terrorized by a dreaded mujahideen, Zatara (Jackie Shroff). Since the characters in the film are playing army officers, the villagers and the terrorists assume them to be Indian Army officials. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Welcome To The Jungle Movie Story Review: Late Neeraj Vora's story is crazy and a bhel puri of various films. The screenplay is a mixed bag. While a few scenes fall flat, some scenes manage to entertain big time. Farhad Samji's dialogues enhance the entertainment quotient.

Ahmed Khan’s direction is grand and he deserves credit for pulling off a film of this scale. This was no easy film to execute, not just because of the massive casting and grandeur, but also because it belongs to the brainrot zone, where the madness needs to be handled just right. One wrong move and the humour can fall flat. Thankfully, Ahmed largely succeeds. Of course, the viewer needs to be warned that logic takes a massive backseat here. The fact that the characters, who are part of a film unit, have no clue that they have landed in a terror-controlled zone adds to the chaos and madness. Another major plus is that several characters have distinct quirks, be it Nainsukh, Dubey, Badi Bi (Farida Jalal), Murad Chacha (Kiran Kumar) and others. Filmmakers nowadays often avoid such jokes, fearing backlash or trolling on social media. But the makers here take the irreverent and offensive humour route, and since viewers haven’t experienced this brand of comedy in a long time, it is sure to be lapped up. Along with humour, there’s also enough action to keep the interest going. And that’s not all. The film also has surprise characters who are sure to be greeted with claps and whistles.

On the flipside, a few film parallels are too obvious and unimaginative. For instance, the mute girl track instantly reminds one of BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN [2015]. The scene of Zatara having a merry time in his hideout also seems too similar to the ‘FA9LA’ track of DHURANDHAR [2025]. The Lara Dutta track, meanwhile, falls flat and weakens the first half considerably. A few characters also seem to have been forced into the narrative; remove them from the film and it would have made no difference. Lastly, the humour is such that a segment of the audience, especially those frequenting elite multiplexes, might frown upon it.

Welcome To The Jungle – Official Trailer

Welcome To The Jungle Movie Review Performances: Akshay Kumar, as expected, is in top form. He’s in a league of his own when it comes to comedy and he proves it yet again. And like always, he excels in action as well. Suniel Shetty and Arshad Warsi brilliantly add to the madness. Disha Patani looks like a million bucks and performance-wise, she’s decent. However, she hardly has any dialogues. Jacqueline Fernandez gets to play a funny character and is quite good. Johny Lever, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav and Shreyas Talpade are dependable as always. Jackie Shroff performs ably as the villain and the same goes for Vindu Dara Singh (Ghoni). Raveena Tandon (Zoya) leaves a huge mark. Lara Dutta (Teja) is very disappointing. Meanwhile, Farida Jalal and Kiran Kumar bring the house down and they are the surprise packages of the film. Tusshar Kapoor, Aftab Shivdasani (Abdullah) and Hemant Pandey (Kishan) are okay. Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Mukesh Tiwari and Yashpal Sharma are wasted while Daler Mehndi delivers an embarrassing performance. Zakir Hussain is decent, but is forgotten completely after a point. Late Pankaj Dheer (Karan), Feroze Khan (Arjun) and Puneet Issar (Duryodhan) are entertaining. Urvashi Rautela (Dia), Sudesh Berry (Vikrant Singh) and Brijendra Kala are fair in small roles. Jeetu Verma (Dominic) leaves a mark in a cameo. Child actors Vrihi Kodvara (Urvi) and Bhagya Bhanushali (Bhagya) do well. Akshara Singh delivers an authentic performance in the Bhojpuri song.

Welcome To The Jungle movie music and other technical aspects: From the songs, 'Deewane Hain' is the best of the lot. 'Ghis Ghis Ghis' will be well received, especially in the hinterland. 'Ucha Lamba Kad Forever' comes immediately after but is well picturized. 'Tera Paisa Mera Paisa' is placed in the end credits and is passable. Lastly, the placement of ‘Kyun’ is unexpected and unlike anything seen in a Hindi film! Hanif Shaikh's background score is well-woven into the narrative.

Kabir Lal's cinematography is spectacular. Abbas Ali Moghul's action is neither too gory nor does it involve characters flying; it's realistic and yet cinematic. FutureWorks' VFX is tacky. Shailesh Mahadik's production design is appropriate. Kunal Rawal, Anna Singh, Namita Alexander, Ami Patel, Sunakshi Rathod, Shakil Shetty, Priyanka Mundada, Harshita Ramchandani, Shahdab Malik and Trupti Doifode's costumes are rich. Nitin FCP's editing could have been sharper, especially in the second half.

Welcome To The Jungle Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is a madcap, no-holds-barred comic entertainer that works due to its brainrot humour, grand scale, massy moments and unexpected developments. The film is not for those seeking logic or subtlety. However, its unabashed madness and crowd-pleasing moments give it a strong chance to find favour in mass centres. At the box office, it can emerge as a wholesome entertainer for viewers looking for paisa-vasool fun.

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