I am what I watch

Telugu movies have often repeated the stories of previous “superhits” to encash on their formula with minor changes. After Bommarillu’s success, Genelia played “Hasini” in multiple movies. Govindudu Andarivadele immediately followed Attarintiki Daredi. “Horror comedy” has been established as a new genre as a consequence of simply too many movies involving a ghost capturing a … More Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava – a much-needed reprieve from revenge dramas

For decades our movies have been portraying certain notions that a section of the audience that’s getting larger every year finds disgusting. Notions like, a boy and a girl could never be just friends, a boy cannot realize his love for a girl until she dresses up “like a girl”, a boy is not too … More Ae Dil Hai Mushkil – undoing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Given the recent track record of Bollywood movies of lazy potboilers and expensive misfires, finally a Hindi movie has arrived that is exactly right in every way. Save for the ideation following a familiar Oscar-winning story, in every other aspect Airlift sits first class. The location is Kuwait, just before the invasion by Iraq in … More Airlift – possibly THE best movie of this year

Wazir is another attempt at the dark thriller genre, like Talaash – Farhan Akhtar’s mustache will agree with me here. Set in Delhi, Wazir was meant to be an intriguing thriller with a murderous plot and emotional threads. But owing to the sheer pacing of the film, it turns into a predictable bore of a meandering story. … More Wazir – slow but steady

Two decades ago, Shah Rukh Khan fell in love with Kajol in a European country, and eventually got her after a lot of hassle, even involving guns, which he blithely shrugged off by stuttering the immortal big-city small-things dialogue. Watch Shah Rukh Khan do exactly the same thing all over again in Dilwale, except replace all of the … More Dilwale – an excuse to watch SRK & Kajol

Being familiar with Imtiaz Ali’s previous works, it’s hard not to notice the similarities in themes, and the underlying thought process. In a way, Tamasha could be another version of Love Aaj Kal. Story-wise the “Kal” part belongs to the Corsica chapter which forms the first quarter of the film, and the “Aaj” part forms the second quarter in … More Tamasha – one time touching watch

—-Spoilers ahead—- For the uninitiated, Kumari 21F is a Telugu movie whose story and screenplay were conceptualized by a disruptively innovative director, Sukumar. Whereas his previous movies were driven by the need to be different while maximizing the audience’s enjoyment, Kumari 21F has an intent that goes beyond entertainment. There are two facets to look at when dealing … More Kumari 21F – be patient and you will be rewarded

Meet Sooraj Barjatiya. He is the virtual custodian of that elusive and degenerative heartbeat of Indian cinema called tradition. All of his unreal characters live under the assumption that traditional values shall strictly be upheld by all good individuals, irrespective of circumstance or context. He is the propagator of such historic symbols of our culture … More Prem Ratan Dhan Payo – I struggled to stay awake

It is said that many millenia ago there ruled the best king there could ever be. He discharged his duty by what was right for the common folk, the citizens of his kingdom, without greed or conceit. In time he was hailed as the most ideal person, someone that everyone must strive to be like. … More On Diwali

——Spoilers Ahead—— What’s good about Shaandaar is that some of the locations are beautiful, Pankaj Kapoor is outstanding as always, and there’s a genuinely good bit against fat-shaming of women. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about why Shaandaar is a colossal waste of your time. It’s hard to believe … More Shaandaar – you have been warned!