Category: Hindi OTT Film Reviews

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The Mehta Boys review: A relatable tale of father and son

In his directorial debut, Boman Irani delivers a bitter sweet story on complex family dynamics. The understated writing coupled with the acting performances makes this a must watch for those who like slice of life movies.
The Mehta Boys (Hindi). 07-02-2025, Drama, 1 hour 56 minutes, U/A, OTT
  • Main Cast: Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhary, and Puja Sarup
  • Director: Boman Irani
  • Producer: Boman Irani, and Danesh Irani
  • Music Director: Gulraj Singh, Ibarisha Lyngdoh, and Raghav Meattle
  • Cinematography: Krish Makhija
  • Rating: 4/5

The Mehta Boys, directed and co-written by acclaimed actor Boman Irani, is a perfect example of a well-made slice of life.

The complex family dynamics feel straight out of life without any overt melodrama.

Often times the movie conveys a lot through symbolism.

Synopsis

The core plot of The Mehta Boys focuses on an underconfident architect Amy (Avinash Tiwary) and his father Shiv (Boman Irani).

Shiv is a grieving widower who is having a hard time dealing with the death of his wife. Amy shares a distant relationship with his father.

Shiv is all set to go for the US with his daughter Anu (Puja Sarup). However, a last-minute mishap forces Amy to spend time with Shiv for 48 hours. Over 48 hours a transformative change happens as the father and son navigate how to deal best with the situation.

Emotions which have been buried for a long time resurface leading to introspection. This is the story in brief.

What works

The Mehta Boys is a family drama
‘The Mehta Boys’ is a family drama. (X)

The best part of The Mehta Boys is how Boman Irani avoids melodrama. Both Shiv and Amy are flawed in their own way, their attempts to find a common ground without any dramatic dialogues and filmy exaggerations is a treat to watch.

As a director and an actor, Boman Irani conveys a lot with the silences between the conversations.

What also makes The Mehta Boys special is how it showcases the importance of acknowledging emotions and doesn’t make it just about fixing the relationships overnight. How Boman Irani gradually showcases the discord between the father and son is a master class in both direction and writing.

Strong on symbolism

The strained relationship isn’t because of hatred, but it has more to do with unresolved pain and the clash of egos, which results in an inability to communicate. This gradual layering makes the viewers introspect about their own relationships.

Boman Irani directorial The Mehta Boys
Boman Irani directorial ‘The Mehta Boys’. (X)

As already mentioned, The Mehta Boys is a movie which rides high on symbolism. A special mention must be made of how Boman Irani uses a leaking roof, a piece of cloth drifting in the wind etc to showcase the inner turmoil of Amy and Shiv.

One of the most poignant moments in the movie involves a tattered cloth floating over Shiv and Amy’s heads resembling their late mother’s saree. This tattered cloth is a reminder that the mother is still there in spirit keeping a watch on them.

The core of The Mehta Boys is how it isn’t always about fixing relationships instead it’s about acknowledging the fact that every person has a different way of expressing their feelings. The healing process doesn’t always need to be dramatic; instead, it can come in the form of small gestures.

Through the profession of Avinash Tiwary’s Amy, Boman Irani also makes scathing remarks on how every building feels the same in terms of the overall architecture, the dialogues related to the high tower buildings work as a perfect social commentary.

A minor issue with The Mehta Boys is that Boman Irani could have gone deeper into the origin of father and son discord. The distance between the two is mostly left for the viewers to interpret; still, this is just a minor in an otherwise powerful movie.

Performances

Avinash Tiwary and Boman Irani in The Mehta Boys
Avinash Tiwary and Boman Irani in ‘The Mehta Boys’. (X)

The performances of the central characters also add a lot of weight to the movie. Boman Irani is a legendary actor who doesn’t need a specific introduction.

As Shiv he is spectacular in portraying a loving yet reserved father. He simply nails the various eccentricities. The actor particularly shines in the portions expressing the character’s grief, guilt and stubbornness.

Avinash Tiwary is also terrific in providing solid support. He perfectly embodies the angst of a son who wants to be acknowledged and understood. The way he portrays the internal battles of Amy is a sheer delight to watch.

Shreya Chaudhary as Amy’s girlfriend Zara also makes her presence amply felt. Although the story is essentially a father and son drama she too leaves a significant impact, more than holding her own opposite Boman Irani.

Her character of Zara thankfully isn’t just a supportive girlfriend, Zara has an agency of her own and Shreya excels in portraying the various shades. Puja Sarup as the daughter also deserves a special mention.

Final take

To sum it up, The Mehta Boys is a perfect watch for fans of slice-of-life movies with relatable scenarios. The film is now streaming on Prime Video.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha.)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/the-mehta-boys-movie-review/

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Mrs review: Smashing internalized patriarchy down

Director Arati Kadav’s adaptation of ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ is equally gripping like the original. Arati brings in small but significant changes like the profession of its male protagonist.
Mrs (Hindi), 07-02-2025, Drama, 1 hour 51 minutes, 13+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Kanwaljit Singh, and Nishant Dahiya
  • Director: Aarti Kadav
  • Producer: Harman Baweja and Pammi Baweja
  • Music Director: Sagar Desai, and Faizan Hussain
  • Cinematography: Pratham Mehta
  • Rating: 3.5/5

Jeo Baby’s The Great Indian Kitchen released in 2021 was a very impactful movie on internalised patriarchy. The movie focused on the lives of the women who manage our homes, the category whom we take for granted.

These women constantly put the needs of the men above their dreams relegating themselves to the kitchen. Through the story of newly married women finally breaking out of conventions, Jeo Baby held a mirror to society.

What added to the impact of The Great Indian Kitchen was also the terrific Nimisha Sajayan.

Before Mrs, The Great Indian Kitchen was remade into Tamil with another equally good actress Aishwarya Rajesh. Now you have the Hindi adaptation with the talented young actress Sanya Malhotra.

Synopsis

For those who aren’t familiar with the source material, Mrs focuses on a newlywed woman Richa (an excellent Sanya Malhotra). Nishant Dahiya takes over from Suraj Venjaramoodu, but in this movie, the profession of the male character is changed as is the setting.

A still from the film Mrs
A still from the film ‘Mrs’. (X)

Nishant Dahiya plays a gynaecologist, this adds an interesting layer something which I will touch upon later. Coming back to Mrs, Richa has a passion for dancing, she wants to make a career out of it but the role of a traditional housewife starts taking a toll. This is the story in brief.

The best part of Mrs is how Arati Kadav showcases internalized patriarchy using the kitchen and the constant cooking of food as a metaphor.

The kitchen in Mrs is more modern in comparison to the one showcased in The Great Indian Kitchen. There are more windows and also shiny appliances but the drudgery of the main character is the same.

The clash between the old and new ways has been represented wonderfully by Arati Kadav. A striking aspect of the kitchen is that although the structure here is more modern the dripping of dirty water is constant.

Just like The Great Indian Kitchen there are numerous cooking shots of the same nature but these are necessary as it gives the viewers a psychological insight.

Characterisation

Mrs is a remake of The Great Indian Kitchen
‘Mrs’ is a remake of ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. (X)

The characterization of Sanya Malhotra coupled with her acting is another backbone of the movie. Richa is someone who starts as a lively young girl wanting to do something with her life, the initial days of her marriage flow smoothly but soon she gets stuck in a depressing cycle of pleasing her husband and father-in-law.

How this starts affecting her and the moment where she decides that enough is enough has come out wonderfully both in the writing done by Harman Baweja, and Anu Singh Choudhary along with Sanya Malhotra’s act.

Many young girls would connect to Richa’s dreams and cheer for her when she finally decides not to succumb to the vicious cycle of patriarchy.

Internalized patriarchy

A poster of the film Mrs
A poster of the film ‘Mrs’. (X)

As a society, the issue of internalized patriarchy looms large however modern people pretend to be. The theme of internalized patriarchy also comes out in the scenes between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law.

When Richa complains about being overworked, the other woman responds with a dismissive attitude saying ‘Yeh Sab toh Sikna Hoga (You have to learn this)’

As already mentioned director Arati Kadav brings in small but significant changes. The profession of Nishant Dahiya’s character adds an interesting contrast to his behaviour while doing his job and how he is as a husband.

There are scenes of Diwakar trying to force himself on Richa not caring whether she also wants to participate in that particular moment. There is a very mechanical process adopted by Diwakar with no foreplay and build-up.

Again through these scenes, Arati Kadav makes a strong comment on the general attitude of misogynistic men.

Performances and technical aspects

Apart from Sanya Malhotra’s brilliant act, both Nishant Dahiya and Kanwaljit Singh also make a strong impact. Nishant Dahiya is completely convincing as a doctor who pretends to be outwardly respectable but is actually regressive. Kanwaljit Singh is also exceptional in making the viewers hate him.

The songs and the background score though leave something to be desired. Both these aspects stick out like a sore thumb in an otherwise powerful movie.

Final take

The last word, Mrs is highly recommended even for those who love The Great Indian Kitchen. The film is now streaming on Zee5.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/mrs-movie-review/

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The Storyteller: A powerful ode to the eternal power of stories and the voices that shape them

This Anant Mahadeven directorial is based on legendary director Satyajit Ray’s short story ‘Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro’.
The Storyteller (Hindi), 28-01-2025, Drama, 1 hour 52 minutes, U/A, OTT
  • Main Cast: Paresh Rawal, Adil Hussain, and Tannishtha Chattejee
  • Director: Anant Mahadeven
  • Producer: Jyoti Deshpande
  • Music Director: Hriju Roy
  • Cinematography: Alphonse Roy
  • Rating: 3.5/5

Legendary director Satayit Ray is a man of numerous talents. He was not only a celebrated director but also a wonderful writer. His stories remain relevant today.

In 2021, a Netflix anthology titled Ray was released. The very talented directors Abhishek Chaubey, Srijit Mukherjee, and Vasan Bala did absolute justice to Satyajit Ray’s stories.

Now you have a feature film The Storyteller directed by Anant Mahadevan based on his short story streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar.

Synopsis

Just like his other stories, this one too holds significant relevance even today, raising important questions. The movie delivers a powerful message about how stories by themselves don’t hold magic; it’s the storyteller who breathes life into them.

The core of The Storyteller is two men of two very different thought processes and backgrounds. Paresh Rawal plays Tarini a man who has never stuck to one proper job throughout his life. However, his one constant love is storytelling.

He enjoys telling stories but is very afraid of putting them down on paper. On the other hand, you have Adil Hussain’s Garodia, a Gujarati businessman from Ahmadabad. Garodia sells luxurious cotton sheets to provide sleep for the rest of the world but he suffers from the plague of insomnia.

To get over his insomnia he puts an advertisement for a storyteller who will put him to sleep through stories. Tarini comes across this advertisement and upon his friend’s insistence decides to become a storyteller given his love for stories.

A very unexpected friendship develops between the two, but things take a very drastic turn when Garodia starts exploiting the stories of Tarini leading to significant differences.

Strong aspects

Adil Hussain in The Storyteller
Adil Hussain in ‘The Storyteller’. (X)

A very strong aspect of The Storyteller is undoubtedly the characterizations of the two principal characters.

Tarini is a quintessential Bengali with a huge love for Rabindranath Tagore books, fish and Durga puja among others. He loves losing himself in the stories he narrates.

Garodia on the other hand completely embodies a typical Gujarati businessman. His personality comes out strikingly in the design of the house, major focus on numbers and very importantly possessing lots of books but not reading them.

He has a certain obsession about finding success in business leaving little time for artistic traits.

The pace of the movie

This contrast drives the movie in many ways. Director Ananth Mahadevan does a very fine job of exploring this through an unhurried mode of narration.

Paresh Rawal in ‘The Storyteller’. (X)

The pacing of The Storyteller and its aesthetics often reflects that of the art house Bengali movies. This can be a major deterrent for some particularly today’s audiences who are used to a certain kind of cinema.

But this unhurried mode of narration is also a major strength of the movie.

A special mention must also be made of how Tarini doesn’t directly confront Garodia, instead he cleverly exposes the man as a plagiarist.

It is subtle but still powerful. At the same time, the movie also focuses on the shared need of stories through the two men even if they are culturally and thematically very different from each other.

This comes out powerfully in the climax where the director talks about how both men may tell the same tale but their versions will diverge leaving the viewers to decide for themselves which version they prefer.

A social commentary

Through the character of Garodia, the movie also reflects on the exploitation of creative prowess—Rich people wanting to come across as intellectual. This has relevance to today’s digital age. Certain writers are paid a lot of money to ghostwrite the tweets of some so that they come across as humorous.

A certain need and insecurity is what drives Garodia to plagiarize Tarini’s stories. The insecurity of Garodia is not just reflected in stealing Tarini’s stories but also in consuming fish even though he is repelled by the smell of it. In a way, Garodia comes across as a tragic figure as he wants to fit in.

Among the stories narrated by Tarini a mention must be made of the spy pigeon during World War 2 and also a hundred-year-old tree in the Aravali forests.

Technical aspects and characterisation

The Storyteller also benefits from the wonderful atmosphere. Cinematographer Alphonso Roy does a terrific job of capturing the ethos of both Kolkata and Ahmadabad through his lens. The art design also takes the viewers back in time, making it an immersive experience.

‘The Storyteller’ is based on Satyajit Ray’s story. (X)

Talking about the two leads, both Paresh Rawal and Adil Hussain deliver terrific performances, Paresh Rawal completely embodies the typical characteristics of a Bengali man with flair.

He effortlessly gets into the skin of the role proving why he is such a legend once again. His punch lines are a sheer delight whether it is cursing capitalism or the line about plagiarism.

A dialogue needs to be particularly mentioned here. “Nakal Ke Liye Bhi Akal Chahiye” (You need intelligence to even copy something).

Adil Hussain matches step to step-with his delightful act of an insecure businessman. Adil comes across as a half antagonist and a half sympathetic figure; both of which he captures splendidly.

Senior actress Revathy has an extended special appearance as Saraswati. In spite of the brief screen time, Revathy makes her presence amply felt. Mention must also be made of Tannishtha Chatterjee as the Tamil librarian. Her scenes with Paresh though few are still wonderful to watch.

The songs of the legendary writer and poet Rabindranath Tagore such as Purano Shei Dinner Kotha and Tumi Robe Nirobe and the various other folk songs have been seamlessly integrated into the narrative as well.

Final take

To sum it up The Storyteller is a must-watch for fans of serious cinema and of course the many admirers of Satyajit Ray too.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/the-storyteller-movie-review/

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Hisaab Barabar: Uneven screenplay ails Madhavan’s well intentioned fight against corruption

The performances of the central players is impactful but ‘Hisaab Barabar’ lacks the seriousness required.
Hisaab Barabar (Hindi), 24-01-2025, Comedy, Drama, 1 hour 51 minutes, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: R Madhavan, Niel Nitin Mukesh, and Kriti Kulhari
  • Director: Ashwini Dhar
  • Producer: KT Kunjumon
  • Music Director: Aman Pant
  • Cinematography: Santhosh Thundiyil
  • Rating: 2.5/5

Ashwini Dhar’s Hisaab Barabar has its heart in the right place. The movie wants to educate the viewers about financial scams which common men often tend to overlook.

Through the central character played by R Madhavan, the movie wants to make the viewers more aware of the snowballing effect of corruption and how we should be extra vigilant.

These themes are indeed thought-provoking but Ashwini Dhar’s treatment leaves a lot to be desired.

Synopsis

The story of Hisaab Barbar focuses on an extremely righteous railway ticket examiner Radhe Mohan Sharma (a sincere R Madhavan). Radhe Mohan Sharma is an expert at accounts, his maths never goes wrong.

One day he notices a small discrepancy of ₹27.50 in his bank account. Upon further investigation, Sharma comes across a major financial scam worth ₹2, 400 crores. This financial scam has been orchestrated by a greedy banker Micky Mehta (an over-the-top but fun Neil Nitin Mukesh).

As Radhe navigates the various layers of corruption and bureaucracy he is confronted with various hurdles both professional and personal.

The other important character is played by Kriti Kulhari, the character Poonam Joshi starts as a love interest but as the plot progresses her real identity turns out to be something else.

On the shoulders of Madhavan

Neil Nitin Mukesh in Hisaab Barabar
Neil Nitin Mukesh in ‘Hisaab Barabar’. (X)

What saves Hisaab Barabar from completely falling off is undoubtedly the sincerity of R Madhavan. As the humble ticket collector facing off corrupt businessman R Madhavan does a very good job of portraying both vulnerability and determination.

He brings an emotional heft to the role, particularly in the portions where both his professional and personal life come to a standstill.

Niel Nitin Mukesh as the over-the-top antagonist often borders on being a caricature still it is clear that the actor has had a blast.

He chews the scenery with gleeful abandon perfectly oscillating between being menacing and also raising chuckles. His performance and characterization work as a perfect contrast to R Madhavan’s grounded act. The interplay between the two characters is undoubtedly a major plus for the movie.

Kriti Kulhari as Poonam Joshi has various shades, starting off as a love interest and then to her real identity. Kriti Kulhari does a very fine job although the romantic track between her and Madhavan comes across as a major speedbreaker.

The movie’s ultimate message about a common man’s strength and how with great determination one can overcome numerous challenges is indeed admirable. It leaves the viewers with a good feeling.

Flaws

Kriti Kulhari in Hisaab Barabar
Kriti Kulhari in ‘Hisaab Barabar’. (x)

As far as the flaws go, the biggest minus of Hisaab Barbar is the tonal inconsistencies, the balance between light-hearted humour and the seriousness required leaves a lot to be desired.

The attempt to inject humour in some of the crucial scenes leaves a very bad taste, a good example of this is a major scuffle between R Madhavan and a bank employee.

Instead of being taut and intense, the entire portion is reduced to a silly gag. The film also suffers from certain filminess, the resolution to the tussle between R Madhavan’s Radhe Mohan and Niel Nitin Mukesh’s Mickey cultivates in an overtly simplistic mode.

The operation of financial crimes also lacks the necessary depth, particularly for the more discerning audience, the production values are of a very low standard. The movie’s low budget is clearly visible in the tacky cinematography of Santhosh Thundiyil.

Final take

To sum it up Hisaab Barabar is a decent watch if you are looking for a time pass movie and are an R Madhavan admirer.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/hisaab-barabar-movie-review/

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Agni : A heartfelt tribute to the bravery of fire-fighters

The movie makes you feel for the numerous trials and tribulations of firefighters, something that we as a common man don’t fully appreciate.
Agni (Hindi), 05-12-2024, Action, Drama, 2 hours, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Divyendu Sharma, Jitendra Joshi, and Saiyami Kher
  • Director: Rahul Dholakia
  • Producer: Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidwani
  • Music Director: John Stewart Eduri
  • Cinematography: KU Mohanan
  • Rating: 3.5/5

Given Indian cinema’s obsession with men in uniform it is surprising that we haven’t had a full-fledged movie so far on the lives of firefighters.

Rahul Dholakia best known for his brilliant Parzania (2005), in Agni streaming on Prime Video, takes a deep dive into the many dangers that these fire-fighters put themselves in.

The movie makes you feel for the numerous trials and tribulations, something that we as a common man don’t fully appreciate.

Synopsis

The story of Agni revolves around the investigation of uncovering a dangerous plot behind the periodic fires in the high-rise buildings of Mumbai. These events follow a particular pattern hinting at arson.

Pratik Gandhi plays Vitthal Rao, the head of a fire station. He and his team risk their lives daily without the recognition they deserve. Divyendu Sharma plays Samit Sawant, Vitthal Rao’s brother-in-law and a successful police officer with more material comforts than the former.

Parallel to the investigation, there is also a subplot of interpersonal relationships, in which, Vitthal Rao’s son considers Samit as his hero instead of his own father.

Social commentary

Agni is directed by Rahul Dholakia
‘Agni’ is directed by Rahul Dholakia. (X)

An important aspect of Agni is its impactful social commentary. As the story is about the fire accidents, the makers also dvelve into the risks of illegal buildings, these include restaurants and other public spaces which more often than not accommodate far more people than allowed.

Rahul Dholakia and Vijay Maurya make some important points about the construction of illegal buildings and the risks involved due to the lack of safety protocols. These have come out in a hard-hitting manner making the viewers ponder about the government’s poor handling of basic civic safety.

In spite of all this, the firemen put their lives at stake in order to save as many as they could, in the process losing their lives too.

Agni also scores in how it captures the trauma that a firefighter undergoes. The CGI fire coupled with the shots of flames taking over the sky-high buildings sends a shiver down the viewer’s spine. The movie keeps the viewers on edge over whether the firemen would successfully come out of those flames.

The dynamics between Vitthal Rao and Samit Sawant add a layer of humour to the otherwise tense proceedings. The rivalry between the two could have done with a little more depth. Still, there are numerous entertaining moments. Divvyendu Sharma as Samit Sawant successfully plays to the gallery and works a perfect contrast to Pratik Gandhi’s serious persona.

Performances and technical aspects

Still from the film Agni
Still from the film ‘Agni’. (X)

Talking about Pratik Gandhi, the Scam 1992 actor continues to prove his versatility with an arresting portrayal of a firefighter navigating the various challenges of his dangerous profession.

The way Pratik portrays Vitthal’s inner demons is exemplary, to say the least. Among the other actors, Saiyami Kher also strikes a chord with her emotional act. Her character brings in a different layer as the prominent woman among the male firefighters.

Agni also benefits from the constant twists and turns particularly in the second half. Just when the viewers think they have figured everything out, the movie comes up with an unexpected twist.

Among the technical departments, the production design and the cinematography deserve distinction marks for a job very well done. The recreation of the fire station has an authenticity to it. Also, the first-rate cinematography of KU Mohanan further helps in creating a palpable tension.

Talking about the slight flaws, the movie needed to explore the animosity between Vitthal and Samit in greater detail. Also, a subplot involving a builder’s assassination doesn’t add much value to the proceedings.

Final take

Keeping these small hiccups aside, Agni is a gripping emotional drama with elements of action and thrills.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/agni-movie-review/

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Sikandar Ka Muqaddar : Not Neeraj Pandey’s best still this heist thriller has its high points

The central performances of Avinash Tiwary and Jimmy Shergill majorly contribute in making the movie engaging even when things go astray.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (Hindi), 29-11-2024, Drama, Thriller, 2 hours 23 minutes, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Rajeev Mehta
  • Director: Neeraj Pandey
  • Producer: Shital Bhatia
  • Music Director: Payal Dev
  • Cinematography: Arvind Singh
  • Rating: 3/5

Neeraj Pandey’s latest work plays along the lines of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Miserables. There are themes of moral ambiguity and the relentless persuasion of a cop spanning across years.

More than a thriller Sikandar Ka Muqaddar streaming on Netflix, works as an interesting character study of two individuals whose lives undergo a significant change in the backdrop of a heist.

Synopsis

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar begins off on a high note. A heist happens at a diamond exhibition in the year 2009. Jimmy Shergill’s Jaswinder Singh zeroes on three suspects based on his instincts, something that Jaswinder is very proud of.

The suspects are Sikandar Sharma (Avinash Tiwary), Kamini Singh (Tamannah Bhatia) and Mangesh Desai (Rajiv Mehta). As Jawinder Singh gets deeper into the case the pursuit turns into an endless obsession significantly affecting both his personal and professional life.

Eventually, no one is convicted and the case gradually slips away from people’s memory but Jaswinder is thoroughly convinced that one of the three has definitely stolen the diamond. His primary suspect is Sikandar Sharma. This is the story in brief.

What works and what doesn’t

Stills from the film Sikandar Ka Muqaddar
Stills from the film ‘Sikandar Ka Muqaddar’. (X)

Director Neeraj Pandey along with co-writer Vipul K Rawal waste no time in setting up the proceedings, Jaswinder Singh’s questioning of the three suspects and his strong belief in instincts pique the viewer’s interest in who stole the diamond.

Things are gripping till the point of no convictions being made and Jaswinder Singh losing his job. The movie starts stagnating once it gets into the mode of non-linear storytelling. The constant intercuts do more harm than good.

However, the flashback portion does have some good stretches too. The best is Sikandar’s character battling one major hardship after the other. Also, no character is completely good or evil here. Whether it is the suspects or the cop they come across as individuals driven by the circumstances around them.

Sikandar’s struggles have been shown in detail and it does strike an emotional chord. The film though could have done a little more exploration of Jaswinder’s life post his suspension. Having said that the scars left by the passage of time come across strongly.

Apart from the constant intercuts the movie does suffer from being a slow burn testing the viewer’s patience. The ending also lacks the punch that Neeraj Pandey is known for in his previous movies like Baby (2015) and Special Chabbis (2013).

Performances

Avinash Tiwary and Tamannaah Bhatia in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar
Avinash Tiwary and Tamannaah Bhatia in ‘Sikandar Ka Muqaddar’. (X)

A strong aspect of Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is undoubtedly the strong acting performances particularly that of Avinash Tiwary and Jimmy Shergill. Both the actors rise above the uneven material keeping the viewers invested. Jimmy Shergill who had played the role of a cop previously in films like A Wednesday, managed to bring freshness to this role too.

The character of Jaswinder starts as a cop with a perfect record but soon becomes a wreck in his relentless pursuit. Jimmy does a fantastic job of portraying the various nuances. The fall from grace could have been better explored, yet Jimmy makes the viewers feel the pain of Jaswinder.

Avinash Tiwary is also wonderful as the man who rebuilds his life amidst the constant harassment. He particularly shines in portraying the emotional turmoil of Sikandar.

Apart from these two, Tamannah Bhatia also makes a striking impact as a single mother with secrets of her own. Despite lesser screen time the actress does a very fine job in making the viewers empathize with Kamini’s problems.

Final take

To sum it up Sikandar Ka Muqaddar has good performances and some strong passages making it watchable.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/reviews/sikandar-ka-muqaddar-movie-review/

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Vijay 69 review: An endearing slice of life movie with a brilliant Anupam Kher

Director Akshay Roy delivers a strong message on how it is never too late to chase your dreams. The core point of ‘Vijay 69’ is age is just a number and it should never come in the way of achieving your ambitions
Vijay 69 (Hindi); 08-11-2024, Dramedy, 1 hour 52 minutes, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Anupam Kher, Chunkey Pandey, and Mihir Ahuja
  • Director: Akshay Roy
  • Producer: Maneesh Sharma
  • Music Director:Gaurav Chatterji
  • Cinematography: Sahil Bhardwaj
  • Rating: 3/5

Akshay Roy’s Vijay 69 perfectly fits the genre of a slice-of-life film, something which has become rare in the increasing pan-Indian cinema. The film released on Netflix, does drag in some portions, particularly the starting scenes but after the initial stumbles, the movie grows on you. The central plot of Vijay 69 plot focuses on Anupam Kher’s Vijay Mathew. Vijay Mathew is a former athlete apart from being a swimming coach. He sacrifices his once-promising athletic career to take care of his terminally ill wife.

Synopsis

The movie begins with Vijay Mathew presumed to be dead. His best friend Fali (caricaturish yet entertaining Chunkey Pandey) mentions Vijay only as a garba king and a rummy champion.

This leads Vijay to reflect on his life, he decides to participate in a triathlon despite little support from his daughter and the general society.

A strong aspect of Vijay 69 is the strong friendship between Vijay and Fali. The witty banter between them is thoroughly entertaining. Their scenes together have the perfect blend of humour and also some heart-touching moments.

Another track worth mentioning here is the unexpected friendship between Anupam Kher’s Vijay and a rival athlete Aditya Jaiswal played by Mihir Ahuja. It lends an interesting angle to the story. The light scenes between them in spite of the significant age gap are a delight to watch.

Through this subplot, director Akshay Roy also emphasises how the age gap is not a barrier to friendship. It only becomes a barrier if you let it be.

As already mentioned, the movie begins on a tacky note. The production design in the initial bits makes it look more like a TV Serial and some of the forced humour does irritate the viewers, however, the movie soon becomes gripping when Vijay decides to start life afresh.

Performances

Anupam Kher in Vijay 69
Anupam Kher in ‘Vijay 69’. (X)

Anupam Kher in the titular role is simply fantastic. He does a terrific job of portraying the emotional turmoil and never-say-die attitude.

Special mention must be made of his acting in the triathlon sequences. The way he conveys determination despite obvious tiredness is a master class in acting. He is the movie’s main stay making the viewers root for Vijay even though the plot meanders in some places.

Chunkey Pandey’s accent does border on far on being farcical, still, the actor delivers a charismatic performance.

Sahil Bhardwaj’s cinematography in the triathlon sequences deserves distinction marks. The way he captures the excitement and the tension through his lens is wonderful to watch. The finale does border on being overdramatic; still, it leaves you with a happy feeling.

There isn’t much place for music in this kind of narrative nevertheless the song “Aage bhii Jaane na tuu” from the 1965 movie Waqt works as a poignant number on seizing the day.

Among the other supporting cast, Vrajesh Hirjee makes his presence amply felt as Vijay’s initially reluctant coach.

Final take

In conclusion, Vijay 69 has a relevant message at its core making it a heart-warming watch in spite of the flaws.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/vijay-69-movie-review/

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Do Patti: A gripping cautionary tale about the consequences of abusive relationships and how women should fight back

Do Patti movie banner

A common factor binding Do Patti and Alia Bhatt’s debut production Darlings is women taking control of their lives when everything seems to have hit a dead end. Kudos to Kriti Sanon for choosing a sensitive subject like domestic abuse for her maiden production venture.

Starcast: Kriti Sanon, Shaheer Sheik, Kajol, Tanvi Azmi, Brijendra Kala and others

Director: Shashanka Chaturvedi

Writer: Kanika Dhillon

Producers: Kanika Dhillon and Kriti Sanon

Production Companies: Kathha Pictures, Blue Butterfly Films and Vipin Agnihotri Films

Songs: Sachet- Parampara and Taniskh Bagchi

Streaming site: Netflix

Running time: 2 hours and 7 minutes

In the last few years numerous Bollywood actresses have turned producers pushing the envelope with interesting stories and strong female characters. Irrespective of the box office numbers these characters have created a solid impact. Case in point being the films produced under Anuskha Sharma’s Clean Slate Filmz. A particular mention must be made of her turn in the horror movie Pari. She played a battered young woman with a haunting past. Priyanka Chopra is another actress who has produced good movies like Sky Is Pink and The White Tiger. Her heart wrenching portrayal of a determined mother in the former was nothing less than extraordinary. One of our major commercial stars Deepika Padukone also entered into production with the flawed yet gusty Chhapaak. The biggest star of this generation Alia has produced two movies and presented one Malayalam web series Poacher under Eternal Sunshine Productions. Both Darlings and Jigra dealt with contrastingly different subjects. Darlings focused on a domestic abuse survivor, Jigra on the other hand dealt with the delayed justice system through a morally complex elder sister. Kriti Sanon’s Do Patti is a good addition to the above-mentioned films.

Do Patti is a good addition to the above-mentioned films

The story of Do Patti is set in the fictional hill station of Devaipur. It focuses on a pair of identical twins Saumya and Shelle, they are as different as chalk and cheese. Their relationship has always been strained. Out of the two Saumya needs more care given her constant paranoia. Shelle on the other is the wilder one. From an early age itself Shelle has harbored jealousy towards Saumya. Her feeling is that Saumya gets way more love from the family, according to her Saumya puts up the act of being paranoid to get more love. A good example of Shelle’s animosity is the scene where she cuts a small portion of her sister’s hair as a child. Years later this animosity takes a hugely dangerous turn with the arrival of Dhruv (fantastic Shaheer Sheikh). Dhruv gets quickly attracted to Shelle as her wild nature is more appealing to him over Saumya’s demureness. But in a major turn of events, his marriage takes place with Saumya leading to further friction among the siblings. Initially Dhruv appears to be a good husband but soon his short temperedness comes to the fore. Kajol plays police inspector Vidya Jyothi. This is the story in brief.

Kriti Sanon in a double role

A strong aspect of Do Patti is the depiction of sibling rivalry particularly the characterization of Shelle. Writer Kanika Dhillon is known for writing unorthodox women. The best example being Taapsee Pannu in the Haseen Dil Ruba movies and Manmarziyaan. Here too the writer has given interesting character traits adding to the thrill quotient of the movie. Both Saumya and Shelle carry a deep emotional baggage of their own, it is just that they have chosen different methods. In case of Saumya it is about internalizing, for Shelle escapism is the defense. This has come out well both in terms of writing and the stellar acting performance of Kriti.

The unraveling of Shaheer Sheikh’s Dhruv, how the role starts off and the eventual revelation of his true colors is also a delight to watch. Shaheer Sheikh plays the unpredictable husband with aplomb making a striking impact.

Shaheer Sheikh plays the unpredictable husband with aplomb

Through Do Patti director Shashanka Chaturvedi and Kanika Dhillon have focused on pertinent topics. The portrayal of post-traumatic stress and childhood trauma have been dealt in a poignant manner.

The depiction of domestic abuse is raw in nature, a scene which needs to be mentioned here is a disturbing altercation between Dhruv and Saumya. It is a very upsetting moment which many domestic abuse survivors will relate with.

Do Patti also plays out like an Agatha Christie Thriller. The twists and turns are fairly engrossing. A big twist leading to a poignant flashback deserves a special mention. Through the flashback there is an important message on reporting domestic violence.

Performances wise Do Patti is very much a Kriti Sanon showreel. She aces both the parts with equal ease whether it is grey shades and the eventual remorse of Shelle or the demure Saumya who will tug at your heartstrings. Kajol as police inspector Vidya Jyothi fits the part of a no- nonsense police officer, she does a fine job in portraying the tough attitude, but the Haryanvi accent feels jarring. The moral dilemmas of Vidya Jyothi at one point also needed better etching. Tanvi Azmi as the supportive caretaker brings in a lot of warmth in her small yet significant part.

Sachet Parampara and Tanishk Bagchi’s songs are just above average. The CGI and the camerawork though are of a high order more so in the portions which have two Kriti’s.

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Khel Khel Mein: A deadly game of revelations

Director Mudassar Aziz successfully dwells into the themes of how much we really know our friends and partners. The game of surrendering phones leads to a major chaos, unexpected secrets tumble out leading to major conflicts

  • Starcast: Akshay Kumar, Vani Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Aditya Seal, Ammy Virk, Pragya Jaiswal, Fardeen Khan and others
  • Direction, screenplay and story: Mudassar Aziz
  • Based on: Perfect Strangers by Paolo Genovese
  • Producers: Ashwin Varde, Bhushan Kumar, Vipul D. Shah and others
  • Music: Tanishk Bagchi, Rochak Kohli, Guru Randhawa and Raj Ranjodh
  • Cinematography: Manoj Kumar Khatoi
  • Production house: T- Series Films and Wakaoo Films and White World Productions
  • Running time: 2 hours and 21 minutes
  • Streaming site: Netflix

Mudassar Aziz’s Khel Khel Mein based on the Italian movie Perfetti Sconoscuit (Perfect Strangers) has been remade in several languages including the Malayalam movie 12th Man. 12th Man was directed by Jeethu Joseph reuniting him with Mohanlal. What makes the subject of Perfect Strangers so relatable is the exploration of how smartphones create havoc in a what appears to be a perfect marriage. Jeetu Joseph’s 12th Man was more of a mystery/thriller with his signature touches. Khel Khel Mein on the other hand is more of a matrimonial comedy. Every time the movie switches into a tense mode a comic scene follows soon.

The Italian movie Perfect Strangers has been remade into several languages including the Malayalam movie 12th Man

The plot of Khel Khel Mein is set against the backdrop of a big Indian wedding. You have three couples along with a bachelor friend. The night before the wedding Vani Kapoor’s Vartika suggests a game of surrendering their mobiles. Everyone has the license to read or listen to whatever message or video call that will come. What starts off as fun soon goes into a very murky territory. This is the story in brief.

A strong aspect of Khel Khel Mein is Mudassar Aziz’s portrayal of sensitive issues without getting preachy. The movie dwells on teenage sex, infertility and homosexuality among others. All this is backed with strong humor particularly from Akshay Kumar.

Akshay Kumar plays Dr Rishabh. He is an expert at telling white lies. It is refreshing to see Akshay back in the humor zone, a genre which he has aced previously. The actor generates many chuckles with his perfect comic timing. Apart from the humor scenes Akshay also shines in the portion where he gives advice to the teenage daughter about taking things to the next level with her boyfriend. The scene is treated with a lot of maturity giving the movie some depth. Another scene that needs to be mentioned here is the one where Akshay gives a speech on how marriage is not an ownership but a partnership. It is very poignant.

Akshay Kumar as Dr Rishabh. He generates many chuckles with his perfect comic timing

Apart from marital problems the movie also briefly touches upon homosexuality through the character of Fardeen Khan’s Kabir. Initially the actor doesn’t seem to have much to do but he makes a striking impact in the scene where Kabir opens up on his sexual preferences and being removed as a cricket coach in an all-boys school. The management had feared that a gay coach is not good for the students.

Fardeen Khan makes a striking impact in the scene where Kabir opens up on his sexual preferences

Taapsee Pannu shines the best among the female leads

Taapsee Pannu shines the best among the female leads. The Punjabi twang is reminiscent of what the viewers have already seen in last year’s Dunki but still the actress shines bright as a homemaker desperate to have babies. Without her husband’s knowledge she is looking to have children through an infertility clinic. A particular mention must be made of the scene when she lambasts her husband on hiding an important report. Ammy Vik as a hotheaded Sardar also makes a strong impact. He is especially good in the scene where he reminisces about a past love and an inability to keep people happy.

Among the rest Aditya Seal and Pragya Jaiswal also get their moments to shine. Just like the characters of Taapsee and Ammy’s these two also have some dark secrets, Vani Kapoor as the writer though suffers from a sketchy characterization. Her track is half-baked. Her idea of the phone game comes across as scheming than fun, as a result the taunt of Akshay Kumar at one point makes the viewers side with him. Also, the scene where she tries to be a cool mom to Akshay Kumar’s daughter doesn’t have the desired impact.

Another slight issue with Khel Khel Mein is the gag involving an attempted suicide. The punch lines are hilarious, and the absurdity of the situation does make the viewers laugh but in the overall scheme of things the makers could have done away with this.

Keeping aside these small niggles Khel Khel Mein is easily one of the most enjoyable Akshay Kumar movie of the recent past. The film would have fared much better with a solo release date instead of getting sandwiched with Stree 2.

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CTRL: Ananya Pandey leads a gripping thriller/drama on the side effects of AL which includes deep fakes and breach of personal data

Vikramaditya Motwane delivers a racy movie keeping things crisp for the most part. He does a fantastic job in showcasing how Gen Z rely more on an internet bot for seeking genuine advice rather than a living person.

  • Starcast: Ananya Pandey, Vihaan Samrat, Aparshakti Khurana (as the AL voice) and others
  • Director and writer: Vikramaditya Motwane
  • Additional writers: Avinash Sampat and Sumukhi Suresh
  • Producers: Nikhil Dwivedi and Arya Menon
  • Production companies: Saffron Magicworks and Andolan Films
  • Music: Sneha Khanwalkar
  • Cinematography: Pratik Shah
  • Running time: 1 hour and 39 minutes
  • Streaming site: Netflix

In certain ways Vikramaditya Motwane’s CTRL feels like an extension to last year’s Kho Gaye Hum Kahan which also dealt with the younger generation. Kho Gaye Hum Kahan skillfully explored the aspect of loneliness in digital age, the need of validification from complete strangers. Easily one of Ananya Pandey’s better performances in her short career so far. Vikramaditya Motwane in CTRL also explores the side effects of social media, but this is darker in tonality. CTRL is more of a cyber thriller leaving the viewers disturbed

In certain ways CTRL feels like an extension to last year’s Kho Gaye Hum Kahan

CTRL focuses on two social influencers Nella (Ananya Pandey) and Joe (Vihaan Samraat). They run a YouTube channel called NJoy. Their seemingly perfect relationship goes totally downhill when Nella catches Joe with another woman. Her plan was to surprise Joe by celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary in a live stream unfortunately for Nella things go completely downhill. A lot of chaos happens leaving Nella’s professional and personal life in shatters. In an attempt to resurrect her social media presence Nella comes across an AL platform featuring a digital bot, Allen. Allen becomes a big help for Nella in erasing Joe completely from her digital life and also planning her big comeback. Slowly this AL platform becomes a major influence behind every decision of Nella. He starts taking over her personal chats along with manipulating her into signing more brand deals. Things take a very dark turn when Joe goes inexplicably missing. Soon Nella finds herself in a lethal web of manipulation as she starts investigating the misuse of AL. This is the story in brief.

As already mentioned, CTRL is a racy thriller, Vikramaditya Motwane doesn’t waste any time in immersing the viewers into the world of Nella and Joe. The viewers see them curate every moment of their personal lives giving their followers the impression of them being the perfect couple. Motwane has used the technique of alternating between the real world and the digital landscape. This mood shift doesn’t come across as jarring thanks to the director’s handling of the subject and also Pratik Shah’s fantastic cinematography. Yashika Gor’s production design also adds to this seamlessness. Sneha Khanwalkar’s experimental score adds to the movie’s edgy atmosphere.

Nella and Joe give the impression of them being the perfect couple

A strong aspect of CTRL is how Vikramaditya Motwane makes the viewers ponder on certain things without becoming preachy. For example, whether sharing a glimpse of our personal life is more about seeking validation and in process gaining more followers and how much sharing on social media becomes too much sharing. There is no preachiness in the way these questions are asked but still the impact is hammer strong. There is an important scene when Joe questions Nella about whether her reasons for wanting to surprise him came from genuine love or the need to make a statement on social media. This scene perfectly captures the essence of the movie.

The movie is also successful in creating a sense of personal connect particularly for those who are heavily into AL. The personal harm that AL apps are capable of doing leave the viewers disturbed. Having said that the thriller aspect of CTRL could have done more exploration. The underlying conspiracies of AL in controlling our lives feel a little rushed as the movie focuses more on Nella’s personal struggles in regaining control of her life.

It goes without saying that CTRL is primarily an Ananya Pandey showcase, and the young actress doesn’t disappoint. She delivers a first-rate performance perfectly capturing the journey of Nella from a happy college student to a social media star and ultimately a broken soul. As a social media influencer, she goes over the top on occasions, but it goes perfectly with the tonality of those portions. Apart from Ananya’s performance the character sketch is also a big winner.

Ananya Pandey delivers a first-rate performance perfectly capturing the journey of Nella from a happy college student to a social media star and ultimately a broken soul

Vihaan Samrat as Joe also makes his presence felt more so in the monologue scenes at a critical juncture. Aparshakti Khurrana as the AL voice is also efficient in bringing a certain amount of eeriness.

To sum it up CTRL holds a perfect mirror to the Genz’s obsession over social media. The thriller aspects needed sharper writing but still there is a lot to enjoy.