As a self-confessed scaredy-cat, I have to say I was dreadfully exhausted by the end and noting the sloppy visual effects and continuity glitches in Janhvi's ghostly makeup.
Agnipath may be an exercise to address the genuine needs of the armed forces. But overall, it betrays the tendency to use the military and paramilitary for employment generation and shaping a national character, instead of treating them as the professional services they are, notes Shyam G Menon.
Among Hindi cinema's leading men of the last century, Sunil Dutt, who passed away 16 years ago on May 25, did not hesitate in doing women-oriented films which addressed the issues of their upliftment, empowerment and equality.
Sherni is a triumph -- a sublime outcome of purpose and storytelling falling in place, applauds Sukanya Verma.
'We didn't expect the film to be recognised at this level; we focused on making an honest and simple film.' 'We didn't have any expectations even like being appreciated at festivals.'
A beautiful documentary from Delhi. A shocking satire that spares no one. A thriller about a serial killer in Iran. A Pakistan film about family secrets... Aseem Chhabra lists the best films he saw in Cannes.
'The 10% increase in women voters was a determined bloc of voters.' 'They were willing to try this third party, specially because it seemed it had done something in Delhi.'
Whether roles for women get better or not, women are getting better at their craft with each passing year. In 2019, we saw some of our finest female actors show us exciting new facets of their capabilities in ways that'll inspire how roles ought to be written for years to come.
The Goa government in its appeal before the Bombay high court against journalist Tarun Tejpal's acquittal in a rape case said it was a fit case for retrial, citing the trial court's lack of understanding of a victim's post-trauma behaviour and censuring of her character.
'Every marriage hits a road block.' 'There are fights and boredom sets in.'
If you think the film is gutsy, you are simply being blind to the truth that the whole men-are-worthless slant is saleable right now, argues Sreehari Nair.
'This chauvinistic attitude, what they call nationalism in the name of religion, is sad.' 'It is a tragic state that we are all in currently.'
The ad for a 'lehnga' brand featuring Bollywood star Alia Bhatt as the much indulged daughter and granddaughter has fired debate on social media platforms and elsewhere on the age-old tradition of giving away the daughter.
She asserted that sexism exists in politics but she has learnt to stay focused on the good work that she intends to do for the people.
'I'm a very positive and optimistic human being.' 'You put a pile of garbage in front of me and I will find a flower in it.'
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite films from the recent Toronto International Film Festival.
It doesn't make sense to view the womb through the prism of religion, community and tradition, warns Shyam G Menon.
'My father gave his life trying to elevate the art of acting in the adverse conditions of noughties Bollywood.'
In the short five years since it came into being, feminist outfit FEMEN has become a force to reckon with thanks to their jaw-dropping mode of protest. The Ukrainian group has taken a stand against a number of issues by taking to the streets and taking off their tops.
It won't be easy to fight entrenched patriarchy and male-chauvinist prejudice without an extensive campaign of social reform, says Praful Bidwai
'I don't know whether it was the Sabarimala issue that made them reject my film.'
'It is time again for Durga Puja.' 'Time again to be struck by India's astonishing cultural irony, one where the female form is worshipped as divinity while millions of real women are forced to lead restricted lives,' notes Shuma Raha.
Hands down, the star of the show is Rajkummar Rao, observes Sukanya Verma.
In a notice to Shah Faesal, the General Administration Department said, "You have allegedly failed to maintain absolute honesty and integrity in the discharge of official duty and thus acted in a manner unbecoming of a public servant."
It's a treat to watch Pooja Bhatt explode on the small screen, raves Sukanya Verma.
>'The women, warts and all, are fascinating and frustrating for their flaws.' 'As much director Alankrita Shrivastava wants them to chart their course on their own terms, she pauses much too frequently to throw in a little pity party,' observes Sukanya Verma.
Athiya Shetty springs a surprise in this otherwise tedious film, says Sukanya Verma.
You can make all the speeches you want, you cannot argue against 39 straight months of slowing, observes Aakar Patel.
Sukanya Verma tells us just what makes Mirch Masala a must watch.
Mardaani 2 works best and better than its predecessor when it stays true to its slick catch-me-if-you-can potential, feels Sukanya Verma.
Candid confessions and some important lessons from the cast of Four More Shots Please.
Urvi Parikh does not recommend Namaste England at all.
The argument that there is nothing wrong in barring illiterates from contesting elections is extremely flawed, when by the same yardstick many sitting MLAs and MPs would not be eligible to contest even panchayat polls, says Devanik Saha.
Every film that Sriram Raghavan makes is a compendium of ideas and sensations that tickle him. Trying to remake a Sriram Raghavan film is like getting excited by somebody else's goosebumps, observes Sreehari Nair.
'I am fascinated by people who cannot accept things.'
A spectacular Taapsee Pannu brings out the shift of a happy homemaker to a heartbroken woman most strikingly in her deeply affecting performance, applauds Sukanya Verma.
'Congress gave Muslim conservatism support and here the BJP saw a window of opportunity'
'Not only are the concerns expressed in Stree (patriarchy, consent, prejudice against women) mere excuses to touch our 'sentimental hotspots', the movie itself is a few tricks cobbled together,' says Sreehari Nair.
It's like Agatha Christie walked into Roman Polanski's Chinatown conversing in Vishal Bhardwaj with a smattering of Brian De Palma for razzle-dazzle -- the upshot is mesmeric, raves Sukanya Verma.
Noting that the problem of declining sex ratio was acute in richer states of the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said India was living with the 'ignominy' of an adverse gender balance. "The last census showed a declining sex ratio. Multiple deprivations all with roots in the oppressive structure of patriarchy has resulted in a bias against girls and women. This is a shame and we must face the challenge squarely," he said.
