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Tag: Hindi Movies

  • ✨Saiyaara: Mohit’s Mashup of Mohabbat, Music & Memories!✨

    ✨Saiyaara: Mohit’s Mashup of Mohabbat, Music & Memories!✨

    🎵 Dimaag bhool jata hai, dil yaad rakhta hai.
    And Saiyaara proves just that.

    ✅ Worth watching? YES.
    ✅ Will it connect? YES.
    ❌ Worth the hype? Not entirely. But… it still works!

    Ahaan Panday (a true ray of sunshine ☀️) and Aneet Padda (quietly powerful 🌸) breathe life into a romance that’s more melody than madness.

    🎶 Music is the heartbeat here — “Saiyaara”, “Barbaad”, “Dhun”, “Tum Ho To” — each track is a plot twist in harmony.
    🎭 The screenplay charms, the dialogues linger, and the chemistry feels authentic.

    Yes, Mohit Suri blends Aashiqui 2 nostalgia, Ek Villain flair, a Korean tearjerker’s plot, and a bit of 50 First Dates—but the emotion lands.

    🎬 Not perfect.
    The second half drags. Some parts feel undercooked. But then again —
    Love isn’t perfect. Neither are the stories we cherish.

    💔 Memory plays villain. Music plays savior.
    And Mohabbat… finds its way.

    Saiyaara = Old-school feels + new-age heart.
    Watch it for the love.
    Stay for the music.

  • Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba: Tapsee Hasseen, Movie Not A Dillruba

    Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba: Tapsee Hasseen, Movie Not A Dillruba

    Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba: Tapsee Hasseen, Movie Not A Dillruba

    “Jo pagalpan ki hadd se naa guzre woh pyaar hi kya kyunki hosh mein toh rishte nibhaye jaate hain”

    After successfully outwitting the cops, Rani (Tapsee) and Rishu (Vikrant) emerge in Agra, from where they are planning to escape to Thailand and start a new life. The arrival of a cop (Jimmy Shergill) with personal agenda nudges Rani to seek help of a smitten admirer Abhimanyu (Sunny Kaushal). The game of snakes and ladders comes alive!

    Tapsee sums up the proceedings as LSD – Another iconic movie!

    The movie fails to build on the magic of the original Haseen Dillruba – which was an engaging, intriguing small-town thriller. The sequel is a laboured effort with a weak screenplay, predictable storyline and too many twists! The reopening of the case or marriage are clearly too convenient while the use of literary allusions seems forced. The audience is intelligent and is unforgiving of lazy loopholes!

    Loved the cinematography for beautifully capturing Taj Mahal and revealing the balance of fate in a fair swing!

    Hasseen Dillruba Tapsee Pannu continues to shine and is the anchor of the movie – It’s her show! Vikrant Massey is impressive but does seem like a baggage with too little to do. Even the ever-reliable Jimmy Shergill’s as cop Montu and sincere Sunny Kaushal are average.

    Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba: Tapsee ki wapsee fails to make an impact!

  • Maharaj Review: Yashrajified Movie Derails Strong Story & Junaid Debut

    Maharaj Review: Yashrajified Movie Derails Strong Story & Junaid Debut

    Maharaj Review: Yashrajified Movie Derails Strong Story & Junaid Debut

    Nothing controversial about the movie – a reiteration of how institutionalised and cult-driven religious practices become the very evil they claim to fight against! Maharaj is indeed an important story that needs to be told!

    The movie is based on the landmark case of 1862 where Gujarati social reformer activist journalist Karsandas Multi (Junaid) exposes religious leader Jadunath Maharaj’s (Jaideep Ahlawat) predatory sexual exploitation and rape of women devotees in the name of ‘Charan Seva’. Karsandas is a progressive liberal who overcomes his personal demons to travel the path of great leaders like Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

    The premise and plot is very strong but forced punchlines and Yashrajification weakens the impact. Aamir Khan’s son Junaid is earnest and does a fine job – impressive start and a brave choice for zero fanfare debut. Jaideep rocks with his solid performance.

    Maharaj – A though provoking movie that fails to make a strong impact!

  • Gullak: Heartwarming Sunshine Show Is India’s Finest!

    Gullak: Heartwarming Sunshine Show Is India’s Finest!

    Gullak: Heartwarming Sunshine Show Is India’s Finest!

    Navigating The Life & Times Of Middle Class Mishra Family With Impeccable Wit & Humour! Watch The New Anecdotes Around Decluttering, Bribe, Parenting & Adulting – The Last Episode Is A Deeply Moving One!

    Gullak’s Monologues, Quirky Dialogues, Strong Script, Excellent Performances, Impeccable Chemistry Of Cast, Solid Direction Continue To Keep It India’s Finest Show Of Recent Times. Gullak Season 4 Gets Better – Defying The Law Of Diminishing Returns!

    And Yes, Gullak 4 Beats Panchayat 3!

    A Must Watch!

  • Manthan: The Amul Story Of Influencing Change – India’s First Crowd Funded Movie

    Manthan: The Amul Story Of Influencing Change – India’s First Crowd Funded Movie

    Manthan: The Amul Story Of Influencing Change – India’s First Crowd Funded Movie

    Manthan is a pathbreaking work showcasing the power of cinema to inspire change – The classic movie has been funded by 500,000 farmers of Gujarat, inspired by the Father of White Revolution Dr Kurien and directed by legendary Shyam Benegal.

    An idealist Dr Rao (Girish Karnad) and his colleagues arrive in a typical Gujarat village to setup a milk cooperative society. The virtuous vet makes a statement from the first frame by refusing to board a overloaded horse cart and prefers a long walk. He is the change agent whose presence challenges the status quo and upsets the power equations. The upper caste milk trader has created a systematic well-oiled machinery to socio-economically exploit the poor villagers. The upper caste village headperson (Sarpanch) must ensure his power structure for winning the elections and has personal grudges against the other caste members. The less privileged members of the villages (Dalits) are sceptical of the new society and fear that this will be another upper-caste urban scheme. A volatile and outspoken villager Bhola leads the lower caste brigade. Dr Rao and his team tirelessly work to evangelise the vision and enrol the members to the benefit of the society which will also unleash a social change and overall empowerment in the village.

    Dr Rao and his colleagues get entangled in the political and social issues in the village eventually leading to Dr Rao’s unceremonious and quiet exit. Bhola, the outspoken firebrand Dalit villager who starts patronising and supporting Dr Rao after initial mistrust, emerges as the real hero. He understands the intricacies of the hierarchical structures and local power games – he rallies the villagers and inspires them to march towards the promised change. He is voice of the bottom and harbinger of hope. The community finally learns to stand up on its own feet.

    The beauty of Manthan is its multiple layers and the arc of all characters. All hues of caste, ethics, privilege and gender are explored and showcased by a dream cast of performers par excellence! Doing good is never an easy job nor is unleashing change!
    Excellent performances, compelling story, great screenplay, sensitive direction and simple tone make it a true classic. The haunting national award-winning song ‘Mero Gaam Katha Parey’ elevates the movie. It lightens up the screen and stays with you long after. Definitely heartening and happy moments for us as we celebrate its showcase at the 77th Cannes Film Festival

    Manthan is a great work of cinema, and the Cannes Classic showcase gave us an opportunity to revisit the movie. But I could not agree with the narrative and certain aspects of the movie.

    My biggest grouse against the movie is its total disregard for women – while it aims to create a caste less society and empower less privileged citizens, it ignores and belittles the biggest and most affected constituency of the society. Dr Rao does not stand up and support Bindu – a headstrong village woman who is a victim of her husband’s atrocities and was shattered after the death of her income generating cow. He lets her down when she needs the most help – he fails to help even through humanity and words, forget leveraging and showcasing cooperative’s power to help in distress. Idealism is in action and not words. In fact, the way he took the milk samples from her despite her refusal seemed an overstep and undermining the independence and authority of Bindu. She has feelings for Dr Rao and she ends ups a voiceless useless tool.

    The way an idealist like Dr Rao treats his wife may succeed in showing him as a man with flaws but it is not consistent with overall image and persona. Maybe she has a different take on life, Dr Rao’s treatment to her highly objectionable.

    Dr Rao punishes his colleague by sending him away for having a relationship with a village girl – but should he not have asked for the colleague’s perspective or the wishes of the village girl? Was he brash or did he see this incident just as an opportunity to establish trust or win the confidence of Dalit men in the village? Or he felt guilty of his feelings for Bindu and this was an abrupt reaction and expression of his inner conflicts?

    Should Dr Rao have left without meeting villagers? What happens to Bindu?

    Thanks to Dr Margie Parikh for her insightful views and thoughts as we analysed the movie post its digitally restored avatar screening! And I know our dissections will continue….

    Manthan is indeed a thought-provoking complex movie!

    Worth a watch! And definitely worth a lot of discussions!

  • Shri Ram & Bollywood

    Shri Ram & Bollywood

    The great Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata have inspired several Hindi movies, regional movies, TV serials and even Hollywood movies (Think Matrix).

    As we gear up for one of the most important events of the great Indian nation, let us recap how Ramayana has influenced our screens.

    Quick points:

    1. As noted in my PhD thesis, ‘Ram Leela’ plays have been an integral part of our entertainment history. The early films were dominated by religious and mythological stories, littered with special effects and relating tales based on the great Hindu epics, ‘The Mahabharata’ and ‘The Ramayan’.

    2. Lanka Dahan – One of India’s first superhits: The 1917 movie on Ramayan by Father Of Indian Cinema, Shri Dadasaheb Phalke, was a cult hit. The shows ran every hour from 7 am to midnight making it one of the most watched movies of the early Indian Cinema. Shri Phalke was inspired to make the movie after watching ‘The Life Of Christ’ and felt a strong urge to tell the Indian mythological gem.

    3. Seeta: The first significant talkie was Debaki Bose’s Seeta where Prithviraj Kapoor played Ram and Durga Khote was Seeta. Another movie of same time was Ram Janma.

    4. Ram Rajya: Vikram Bhatt’s grandfather Vijay Bhatt made couple of movies on Ramayana – Bharat Milap and Ram Rajya. Both were super hits.

    5. Ram Rajya was one of the only two-three movies that Mahatma Gandhi watched in his lifetime. Gandhi started using the word Ram Rajya as a welfare benign state.

    6. Sampoorna Ramayana: The classic of the 60s is still one of the popular movies for legendary epic.

    7. Bajrangbali: Lord’s biggest bhakt Shri Hanuman takes centre stage in the movie. Dara Singh is Hanuman in this epic. Mahabali Hanuman, Hanuman Paatal Vijay & Shri Ram Bhakta Hanuman are other representations of Shri Hanuman.

    8. Luv Kush: Jeetendra & Jaya Prada starrer focusses on the Lord Ram’s two sons after the Lord sends Sitaji to exile

    9. Ramayana – The Legend Of Prince Rama: The India-Japanese anime movie has been a favourite with the 90s kids.

    10. AdiPurush: One of the most disastrous movies of recent times which was criticised across the board for damaging our holy imagery of Ramayana and the crass treatment.

    Similarly, several regional movies are inspired by Ramayana and the legendary NTR’s work is very prominent.

    The epic Ramayana has influenced the Indian cinema in other indirect representations:

    1. Hum Saath Saath Hain: Trust Rajshri to give us a perfect family values packed entertainment. This is the most popular replication of Ramayana in a modern context. Shobhana Samarth’s grandson Mohnish is the Ram like figure in the movie. Incidentally, Shobhana Samarth was Sita in Bharat Milap (She is Nutan’s mother and Kajol’s grandmother).

    2. Raavan: Maestro Mani Ratnam gives the perspective of Raavan in Abhishek – Aishwarya movie starrer.

    3. Baahubali & RRR have episodic influence of Ramayana. Even Ram Teri Ganga Maili as well!

    4. Ram Setu, Rudraksha are other movies linked to Ramayana.

    5. Hey Ram is not about Ram, it’s about Gandhi.

    6. The message of ‘Victory of Good Over Evil’ has been central to the innumerable movies.

    Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana remains the most popular and Ramayana – a cult whose telecast timing stopped the nation. Its repeat telecast broke records in Covid times.

    Shri Rama has remained in Indian consciousness since ancient times and Indian Cinema has continued to revisit Shri Ramayana and bring it in the main discourse in multiple ways. The trend will continue…

  • The Annual Bollywood Review – 2023

    The Annual Bollywood Review – 2023

    The Annual Bollywood Review – 2023

    The Quick Summary:

    1. Bollywood Bounces Back: After Being Challenged By The Southern Spice, Bollywood Regained Its Chutzpah – On All Fronts. The Purple Patch Was Reflected In People Presence At Theatres, Single-Screen, Multiplex & Digital Screenings & Of Course, Profits. Bollywood Was In Conversation Throughout The Year – Pathan’s Deepika Bikini, Animal’s Jamaal Kudu, Misogyny & Violence, Jawan’s Impact, Gadar 2’s Success, Rocky Rani’s Kiss, 12th Fail’s Warmth.

    2. Santa SRK Shines: Badshah SRK Set The Stage With The YRF Spyverse Actioner Pathan, Scaled Success With Southern Style Jawan & Balanced The Mega Run With Hirani’s Dunki. SRK’s Impeccable Market Sense Showed In His Reinvention As An Action Hero To Be Relevant To Today’s Audience. And His Twitter Rizz.

    3. Entertainment With Progressive Messages: Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, SRK’s Jawan Or Hirani’s Dunki – The Mainstream Bollywood Packaged Entertainment With Socially Relevant Themes & Messages. Ranveer’s Dance & Lingerie Shopping Act With Citizen Khan’s Voting Gyan & Farmer Suicide Angle In Jawan Resonated Impactfully. Make No Mistake – Karan Johar’s Rocky Rani’s Influence Will Show In Days To Come.

    4. Sunshine Success: Everything Worked At Bollywood This Year.

    Pathan Worked

    Jawan Worked

    Gadar 2 Worked

    Animal Worked

    The Kerala Story Worked

    Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar Worked

    OMG2 Worked

    Tiger 3 Worked

    Sequels Like Gadar 2, Dream Girl 2, Tiger 3 Worked. Original Work Like Jawan, Animal, Dunki Worked.

    5. Cinematic Excellence Persists: Among The Business Boom & Cacophony Of Success, Gems Like 12th Fail, Pokhar, Bheed, Three Of Us Also Bloomed.

    6. Beautiful Co-Existence: People Were Back In Theatres. Movies Like 12th Fail And Gadar 2 Continued For Months. Direct OTT Releases Became More Common & Certain Movies Found Their Ideal Audience In Digital Streaming. Everyone’s Happy With The Arrangement.

    7. Southern Movies Are Becoming Mainstream: Jailer, Leo, Salaar & PS2 Showed There Is A Growing Audience For Southern Movies In The North As Well.

    For Annual Bollywood Reviews Since 2012 & Movie Reviews  – Refer To www.ashokkarania.com

    The Top Movies Of 2023:

    1. 12th Fail: The Power Of Dreams. Vikrant Massey’s Emotional & Earnest Showcase Of The Gruesome IPS Journey Won Hearts.  A Sleeper Hit. One Of The Best Movies. The Strong Content, Excellent Screenplay & Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Directorial Treatment Wins The Day. VVC Beats Protege Rajkumar Hirani (Dunki). Special Marks For Vikas Divyakriti’s Inclusion & Great Adaptation Of Anurag Pathak’s Book.

    2. Jawan: SRK’s Massy Bollywood Masala Entertainer For The Political Bharat!  Farmer Suicides To Medical System To Voting – Shining SRK Showcase It All. Deepika, Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara & Sania Shine In The Highest Grosser Of The Year.

    3. Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani: The Karan Johar ‘Its About Loving Your Family’ Get A Socio-Liberal Makeover! Dharmendra & Songs Steal The Show Amidst An Ensemble Cast Of Bollywood’s Top Talent Including Alia & Ranveer.

    4. Sirf EK Bandaa Kaafi Hai: A Manoj Bajpayee Masterclass Where Shiv Bhakt Leads From The Front. A Stellar Court Room Drama Based On The Real-Life Trial & Conviction Of Asaram Bapu!

    5. Three Of Us: A Simple & Moving Tale Of A Dementia Patient’s Revisiting Of Childhood Places, People & Memories. Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat & Swanand Kirkere Are Terrific In A Tale Of Memory, Friendship & Love. The Gentle, Tranquil, Sensitive Film Is A Soul Sister Of Oscar Favorite Past Lives

    6. Bheed: An Experiential Portrayal Of The Largest Migration Of Modern Time. All Shades Of Emotion In The Black And White Saga.

    7. Dunki: Rajkumar Hirani’s Take On The  Illegal Immigration Practice Spiced With Smart Humour & Humanity

    8. 8 AM Metro: A Heart-Warming Tale Of Two Strangers Striking An Unique Relationship. Slow Burn Movie Of Honest Emotions.

    9. Afwaah: A Political Thriller Of Modern Times – Showcasing The Impact Of Social Media On Gullible Public!

    10. OMG2: Pankaj Tripathi Shines In A Movie On The Important Topic Of Sex Education.

    Honorable Mentions:

    1. Khufiya

    2. Kathal

    3. Jaane Jaan

    4. Pathan

    5. Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar

    6. Ghoomer

    7. Satya Prem Ki Katha

    8. Gulmohar

    9. Goldfish

    10. Joram

    The Commercial Success Stories Of 2023:

    1. Jawan

    2. Animal

    3. Pathan

    4. Gadar 2

    5. Salaar

    6. Jailer

    7. Leo

    8. Tiger 3

    9. Rocky Rani Ki Prem Kahaani

    10. PS2

    The Forgetful Movies Of 2023:

    1. Tejas – Kangana’s All Time Flops Continue….

    2. Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan – Family Productions Of Salman Khan

    3. AdiPurush – The Perfect Spoiler Of Ram On Celluloid

    4. Ganapath

    5. Selfiee

    And Many Movies Were Neither Here Or There: U Turn, Gumraah, Kuttey, Bloody Daddy, Tiku Weds Sheru Etc.

    Bollywood Persona Of 2023:

    Alia Bhatt Is The Betaaj Badshah (Undisputed Queen) Of Bollywood & Clearly The Most Influential Achiever But The Person Who Moved The Needle & Transformed Identity To Catalyze & Energize Bollyoowd Was The King Khan – Shah Rukh Khan!  

    Lots of Web Series & Short Movies Are Also Enriching The Bollywood & Entertainment Space – But They Are Out Of Scope For This Current Review.

    What’s Your Take? What You Loved? Hated?

  • Dunki Review: Thought Provoking Cinema Spiced With Smart Humour & Humanity

    Dunki Review: Thought Provoking Cinema Spiced With Smart Humour & Humanity

    The First Words From The First Day First Show: Thought Provoking. Beautifully Simple Humour. Amazing Dialogues. Lovely Music. Emotional Roller Coaster. Humanity. Patriotism.

    The Rajkumar Hirani’s Midas Touch Ensures A Hat-Trick For Swades Shah Rukh Khan.

    The Perils, Costs & Empathetic Angles To Illegal Immigration Practice Is The Focus Of Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki. The Movie Is A Triumph Over His Last Outing Sanju But Still Below Par Of 3 Idiots & PK.

    Shahrukh Is An Actor In His Chak De India Avatar, Not An Employee Of SRK Brand. Vicky Kaushal Continues His Purple Patch & Once Again Outshines The Main Lead In Parts – Like In Sanju Movie. Tapsee Has A Meaty Role & Shows A Strong Arc. Boman Irani & Supporting Cast Is Impressive.

    Smart & Sharp Dialogues. Soulful Music That Carries The Story Ahead. The Screenplay Could Have Been Better & Direction Is Superb. SRK Kurtas Make A Statement.

    A Complete Family Entertainer.

    Cinema Par Excellence.

    Dunki – A Must Watch.

  • Raat Akeli Hai Review: Gripping Watch!

    Raat Akeli Hai Review: Gripping Watch!

    Raat Akeli Hai Review: Gripping Watch!

    A dark murder mystery of a family with lots of skeletons in the cupboard. Everyone is a complicit in the well-layered locked room crime.

    Nawazuddin shines as a small town cop who unravels the truth – Reminds of his Kahaani avatar! Radhika Apte and all other characters are well sketched.

    Rusty UP feel, nice direction, memorable simple dialogues and engrossing suspense! Reminds us of Knives Out, ChinaTown and Manorama Six Feet Under! Nordic Noir in Desi UP Avatar!

    Raat Akeli Hai Is Worth A Watch!

  • Shakuntala Devi: The Vidya Balan Show! Vidya-Kasam!

    Shakuntala Devi: The Vidya Balan Show! Vidya-Kasam!

    Shakuntala Devi: The Vidya Balan Show! Vidya-Kasam!

    The unraveling of personal life of India’s most famous mathemagician Shakuntal Devi – Who tries to get the mathematical equation of life right – Celebrated career vs motherhood. Why woman cannot have it all?

    Shakuntala is a genius whose aim was clear from day one -become a ‘Bada Aadmi’, not a ‘Badi Aurat’! The prodigy’s difficult childhood gives way to the fame and riches of Shakuntala Devi’s ‘human computer’ cult. The movie takes an emotional turn as Shakuntala tries to focus on family and daughter.

    Its all about loving your parents – famous words from Karan Johar. But Shakuntala Devi has challenges with her parents as well as with her only child Anupama. The movie spends more time on this, leaving other strands ignored.

    It is good that Shakuntala was not presented as photoshopped and Instagram perfect figure. No one likes hagiography !!!

    Yet one must not forget that this is one perspective and all heavily fictionalised. True life may remain a Paheli – as the song said!


    There has been a discussion on her husband’s homosexuality. Pros and cons of her approach for not sending the girl to school. Yet she should have done a better job – but she was no ordinary lady! Maybe the sheer ambition and storm that she was – helped her to go from an obscure village to a global phenomenon!

    Movies help us to discover these characters and ignite discussions to help us discover our true north. Learn both small things like snowflakes and big things like importance of following your passion! And try to avoid their mistakes! And make our own unique path!

    The movie is a complete Vidya Balan show. Her powerhouse performance is the life of the movie – Showing all shades of Shakuntala – Genius. Ambitious. Confident. Strong. Independent. Vibrant. Charming. Brave. Powerful. Flawed. Imperfect. Human!

    Vidya is ably supported by Sanya Malhotra and others. Strong editing and overall well presented. A good watch!!