The love story of Shakuntala and Dushyant is so familiar, from textbooks, comics, stage and screen versions, that it has become part of our cultural DNA. If a film-maker thinks he can make it his own by producing a 3D version with excessive CGI, he achieves nothing but overkill, notes Deepa Gahlot.
There is a lot more to Bollywood than the unguarded glimpses Showtime offers, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam, with its retro-inspired title song and background score just tries too hard, both with the comedy and the message, feels Deepa Gahlot.
Kajol's mere presence has the potential to overshadow her co-stars, but surprisingly, we get to see her modest camaraderie light up the talents of the stunning supporting cast, observes Divya Nair.
Thankam delivers an engaging drama that fans of good crime-solving tales will enjoy, recommends Mayur Sanap.
Jawan springs a real surprise when it boldly and directly points fingers at the ineffective government and appeals to recognise the power of the finger and vote. Six months before the next general Indian election, this is no coincidence, observes Sukanya Verma.
...She does not have the acting heft, of say Sridevi in English Vinglish, or Vidya Balan in Tumhari Sulu, observes Deepa Gahlot.
While it's fun for a bit to see enormous robots smashing into one another, it quickly evokes the 'been-there-seen-that' feeling, observes Mayur Sanap.
'I am not a mother and never had an abortion either, so I had to understand motherhood and child loss from anecdotal experiences of others.'
Oppenheimer is a very politically significant film for our time, observes Utkarsh Mishra.
It is possible that today's kids would find Gutar Gu too vanilla but it might have greater nostalgia-inducing appeal for older viewers, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Blind's drab narrative has no place for emotions or edge. Its prolonged cat-and-mouse game goes on and on till it arrives at its (literally) eye-popping conclusion, notes Sukanya Verma.
If you're a Vidyut Jammwal fan, then check out Sanak, else his latest outing fails to impress in every department except for action, observes Namrata Thakker.
After making you uncomfortable, the series ends abruptly, leaving you with a bitter aftertaste of a self-absorbed world that is too eager to move on, notes Divya Nair.
Sam Bahadur is a mechanical summary of his life, ticking off one chapter after another without bothering to pause or ponder over their significance and influences, observes Sukanya Verma.
Critics of Hindi cinema are a disparate, colourful, bunch that evoke much derision and tut-tut among its own tribe, but Chup's distant understanding of their influence and idiosyncrasies fails to give the loathing any real impact, notes Rediff.com Principal Movie Critic Sukanya Verma.
The best films are not necessarily the most successful -- that would be another list altogether -- although sometimes quality and commerce do converge.
'As an actor I feel I have a strong relatability with the common Indian.' 'Madhav Mishra is not a character of cinema, he is a character from and of our society.'
I hoped the big reveal would make Gaslight's skittish stroll to nowhere (even 112 minutes are too long) worthwhile, but the answers end up being embarrassingly obvious around a twist that's pure hokum, notes Sukanya Verma.
Hundreds of films have created magical adventures through road trips, Atithi Bhooto Bhava is just dreary, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Hungama 2's three-point torture is simple -- confound, frustrate and prolong, feels Sukanya Verma.
Yeh Meri Family is rescued by the actors. All of them have delivered on the warmth and crankiness of a close-knit family without putting on any hum saath saath hain fakery, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Malayalam cinema isn't the same as Telugu or Tamil, but Bollywood's blanket approach fails to see the distinction in Selfiee, observes Sukanya Verma.
Sudhir Mishra's espionage-thriller Tanaav is a decent one-time watch, observes Namrata Thakker. Tanaav Review
Love Storiyaan comes alive in the courageous and fearless voice of six spirited romantics speaking direct dil se, applauds Sukanya Verma.
Saif Ali Khan made his first media appearance after his shocking stabbing incident last month, and looked happy to announce his latest film, Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins.
Blind is a film you are better off not watching, warns Mayur Sanap.
London Files is an engaging thriller with a fine performance from Arjun Rampal, observes Namrata Thakker.
Before Kuttey's release, co-produced and co-penned by VB, Sukanya Verma takes a look back at the filmmaker's unique body of work.
Dunki doesn't have any repeat value unlike other Hirani films. And that perhaps is saying a lot, notes Mayur Sanap.
Tadap makes sure that it reaches out to the youth, observes Joginder Tuteja.
Just when it seemed that Bollywood had recovered with multiple big hits in 2023, it all came down in 2024 with a flurry of flops, disasters and mega disasters.
Pitchers Season 2 is intense but an engaging watch, observes Namrata Thakker.
Do yourselves a favour and read a book this weekend.
The jury is still out on Chhatriwali's flimsy public service, but Rakul sure passes the quality check, applauds Sukanya Verma.
The Freelancer has been made with workman-like efficiency, but the subject of Islamic terrorism could do with a break, points out Deepa Gahlot.
The sequel factor seems to have worked, as audiences have given a thumbs up to the film.
Music School tries hard to make a case -- like 3 Idiots and Taare Zameen Par before -- to let children follow their artistic passions and not try to fit them into pre-set moulds, to which people might nod their heads in agreement before packing their children off to coaching class, notes Deepa Gahlot.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances