In the slot of rural poor, there are those who struggle to pull themselves out of crumbling hovels, and there are the Jamtara-like bunch who turn to crime. Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound is about the former, whose quest for respect and dignity is thwarted because they are underprivileged, notes Deepa Gahlot.
The 97th Academy Awards are days away and there are some strong contenders for the top awards.
By today's standards, when the cynicism about the corrupt system is rampant, New Delhi Times seems mild. But it was upsetting enough to have problems with film distributors. Even television refused to run it. Deepa Gahlot re-introduces you to this 1986 classic.
It is sporadically chilling but the disparate elements take forever to come together, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Where Half CA 2 scores is in making the audiences care for the characters to the extent that one holds their breath when the results are declared, Deepa Gahlot notes.
Do You Wanna Partner is frothy and funny without being loud or crude, which is something so many Indian comedies cannot manage, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Maalik is just unpleasant, not even slightly engaging, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Some of the issues Vivek Agnihotri raises in The Bengal Files are valid, but today, the need of the hour is to find ways of negotiating peace not pouring oil over troubled waters, asserts Deepa Gahlot.
Mistry may work for some, but also raises the question about mental illness being treated as a means of amusement for audiences, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Loot Kaand tries to concoct a crime drama that arouses some curiosity but is instantly forgettable, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Ishwak Singh's earnestness and the rustic energy of his mates keeps Mitti engaging, even when it starts to get preachy, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The always dependable Pratik Gandhi finds a match in Sunny Hinduja and they are surrounded by a top notch supporting cast, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Special Ops 2 captures the spirit of the modern-day spy thriller and runs with it, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The documentary series In Transit attempts to correct the misconceptions about transgenders, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Deepa Gahlot pick 10 films about women's bonding to watch on OTT.
Since the actors fit their parts perfectly, and everybody gets enough of an opportunity to shine, they have become familiar to viewers. So along with its relatable, laugh-out-loud content, they are a big reason for the show's popularity, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Underdog stories always appeal to the audience if made well, and Aamir Khan's presence guarantees that, assures Deepa Gahlot.
Watch Kaalidhar Laapata because clean family-viewing films are getting scarcer by the week, recommends Deepa Gahlot.
As a nothing-better-to-do weekend watch, Jurassic World Rebirth is fine. But the franchise is losing steam, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Pankaj Tripathi's Madhav Mishra is one of the most entertaining characters created for an Indian Web series, and the actor plays him with relish, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The Bhootnii is just never thrilling, frightening or funny enough to pass itself off as a horror comedy, notes Deepa Gahlot.
The three lead actors are excellent, giving their parts the various shades of joy, anger, despair and the emotional heft required to make their characters believable and likeable, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The story of Superboys Of Malegaon is so heartening that the film -- in the hands of an accomplished director like Reema Kagti -- is bound to be a worthy watch, feels Deepa Gahlot.
The tone of the film may be gloomy but it is never tragic or hopeless. Like millions of underprivileged people who find joy in small things, Shanu, Bua and their mother keep their heads above water, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Panchayat Season 4 is watchable, mainly because of the wonderful actors, who, over the seasons have developed a warm rapport, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Male bonding is among Bollywood's favourite subjects, and there have been many films about it, like Dosti, Anand, Sholay...
Performances by Nimrat Kaur and Amol Parashar make the rather unimaginative show watchable, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Kunal Kohli's attempt to bottle the essence of Gen Z in Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story remains superficial, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The gangster saga Nayakan not only earned Mani Ratnam's reputation as a great director, the dubbed version of the film also did well in Mumbai, so much so that Feroz Khan's Hindi remake, Dayavan, starring Vinod Khanna, could not compare, recalls Deepa Gahlot.
Gram Chikitsalay uses the same template as Panchayat but with a fraction of its humour or charm, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Sweet Dreams is a nice and wholesome date movie, recommends Deepa Gahlot.
Patrick Graham's crime documentary The Dupatta Killer gives all sides of the story and leaves it to the viewer to fill in the blanks, notes Deepa Gahlot.
As it meanders along The Mehta Boys can't decide what it wants to be -- a comedy, an emotional family drama or just a slice of life in the city, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Crime Beat is engrossing enough to binge-watch, endorses Deepa Gahlot.
A must read for a generation that grew up on his novels.
Himesh Reshammiya does not have the swag or the acting chops to play a loose cannon cop, sighs Deepa Gahlot.
Re-watching 1967's Jewel Thief evokes the joy of cinema, with its perfect blend of thrill, suspense, romance and music. A film like that can never be remade or be tampered with in any way, observes Deepa Gahlot.
When Ajay Devgn and the horse are off the screen, Azaad loses the little spark it has, feels Deepa Gahlot.
The Brutalist reaches its full potential, thanks not just to its writing and its technical brilliance but also Adrien Brody's performance, applauds Deepa Gahlot.
The nationalism of Sky Force is low key -- which is its weakness, as well as its strength -- and it does not manipulate the audience into a pre-decided hate-the-enemy response, observes Deepa Gahlot.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances