Be aware that the law of diminishing returns applies to Tiger 3. It's the weakest installment in both the trilogy and the entire franchise. These films should function like a giant slot machine, consistently delivering dopamine hits at regular intervals, yet this one falls short. However, what does work effectively is the relationship between Tiger and Zoya, portrayed by Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. Visit us at http://filmcompanion.in Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Join us here - ht...
Nov 13, 2023•5 min
Pippa has a scale. Some of the battle scenes, shot with vigour by DOP Priya Seth, who also did terrific work on Raja’s 2016 film Airlift, showcase her skill. Despite the roster of fine actors – Ishaan Khatter, Priyanshu Painyuli, and Mrunal Thakur – they aren’t able to fully breathe life into their characters, as they seem more like ideas on paper rather than fleshed-out people. Visit us at http://filmcompanion.in Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Join us here - http://bit.ly/FCsubscrib...
Nov 11, 2023•5 min
In Ganapath: A Hero is Born, director Vikas Bahl introduces a new hero. For 10 years, Tiger Shroff has been famous in Bollywood for action, dance, and his fit body. But why can't directors find good stories for him? Many focus on his physical skills and forget to create strong characters and stories. Visit us at www.filmcompanion.in Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Join us here - http://bit.ly/FCsubscribe Follow Us On: https://www.facebook.com/filmcompanion https://www.twitter.com/film...
Oct 21, 2023•4 min
Leo, co-written by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Rathna Kumar, and Deeraj Vaidy, is loosely inspired by David Cronenberg’s 2005 classic A History of Violence. The epithet Thalapathy usually precedes his name – it means leader or commander. However, Leo co-writer and director Lokesh Kanagaraj, who previously made Master with Vijay, aims to broaden the scope of mythic heroism in a mass movie. Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Join us here - http://bit.ly/FCsubscribe Follow Us On: https://www.facebook...
Oct 20, 2023•5 min
Vishal Bhardwaj's film, Khufiya, starring Tabu, Ali Fazal, and Wamiqa Gabbi, is inspired by the 2012 novel Escape to Nowhere by former intelligence officer Amar Bhushan. Loosely based on a true incident involving a missing suspected spy, the title Khufiya hints at both the mysterious world of espionage and the profound secrets harbored by its main characters, especially the women. Visit us at http://filmcompanion.in Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Join us here - http://bit.ly/FCsubscr...
Oct 10, 2023•5 min
Thank You for Coming, starring Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Gill, Dolly Singh, Kusha Kapila, and Shibani Bedi, carries a double meaning in its title. The film relies heavily on the unbridled energy, strong comic timing, and complete lack of vanity of its lead, Bhumi Pednekar. Thank You for Coming juggles many themes – it's not only about female pleasure but also touches upon acceptance, self-love, slut shaming, and the mixed messages that women often grow up with. Visit us at http://filmcompanion.in...
Oct 10, 2023•5 min
What happens when a popular bhajan singer discovers that he might be Muslim by birth? That is the question posed by Vijay Krishna Acharya’s The Great Indian Family. The film stars Vicky Kaushal, Manushi Chhillar, Manoj Pahwa, and Kumud Mishra. Have you subscribed to Reviews & More yet? Follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/filmcompanion https://www.twitter.com/filmcompanion http://instagram.com/filmcompanion...
Sep 26, 2023•4 min
Talents like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Varma shine, yet Jaane Jaan falls short of its potential. Sujoy and DOP Avik Mukhopadhyay, known for Sardar Udham, brilliantly craft an atmospheric mood with rolling fog and stylized lighting. While close-up shots of the leads and Anirban Sengupta's suspenseful sound design stand out, the script and character depth lag behind. Click here to watch Reviews & More & subscribe for more such content. Subscribe to Film Companion's Yo...
Sep 21, 2023•6 min
Debutant director Akshat Ajay Sharma's Haddi, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Anurag Kashyap, and Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, drew inspiration from Hamlet, but its impact falls short of the Shakespearean masterpiece. Visit us at http://filmcompanion.in Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Join us here - http://bit.ly/FCsubscribe Follow Us On: https://www.facebook.com/filmcompanion https://www.twitter.com/filmcompanion http://instagram.com/filmcompanion...
Sep 08, 2023•5 min
Jawan, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, Sunil Grover, and Sanjay Dutt, is a bold cinematic venture by blockbuster director Atlee. Embracing his 'More is More' mantra, Atlee's fifth film, Jawan, showcases heroic protagonists, themes of justice, intense action, grand song sequences, and his signature lavish scale. With plotlines so dense, they could inspire an entire series. Visit us at http://filmcompanion.in Have you subscribed to Film Companion ...
Sep 08, 2023•6 min
When you hear the word Ghoomer, you probably think of Deepika Padukone, resplendent in red, performing the traditional Rajasthani folk dance in Padmavat. But writer-director R. Balki’s new film refers to a bowling delivery that the one-armed Anina specializes in. Listen to the full review by Anupama Chopra.
Aug 18, 2023•5 min
The first film was called Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. This one should have been titled Gadar 2: A Screaming Match. Because there’s a lot of shouting in this film. Here's Anupama Chopra's review of Gadar 2. To watch this review, click here: https://youtu.be/W13ZWqnb4X4 Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Follow Us On: https://www.facebook.com/filmcompanion https://www.twitter.com/filmcompanion http://instagram.com/filmcompanion Read all this, features & lists on Film Companion's website: htt...
Aug 12, 2023•6 min
Watching strong, smart, sexy women kicking butt onscreen is one of my keenest pleasures. Add to that the thrill of seeing one of our finest, Alia Bhatt, go up against Wonder Woman Gal Gadot. I love that director Tom Harper cast a Bollywood A-lister as the baddie in a big Hollywood spy movie. All of which made Heart of Stone seem like a slam dunk. But the film’s vast potential is sabotaged by generic writing. Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Follow Us On: https://www.facebook.com/filmco...
Aug 11, 2023•3 min
Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is delicious eye-candy with a rebellious core. Despite the flabby portions, I exited with a smile, wishing that Rocky was real and wanting to give my family a japphi. There can be no downside to that. You can also watch the review here , only on Reviews & More by Film Companion.
Jul 29, 2023•8 min
Twice in Bawaal, featuring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, Varun, who plays a Lucknow school teacher named Ajay, tells other characters, "The idea is a bit revolutionary, please listen with an open mind." I suspect he's a stand-in for director Nitesh Tiwari instructing his viewers. Because this film, based on a story by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and written by Nitesh, Piyush Gupta, Nikhil Mehrotra, and Shreyas Jain, definitely requires an open mind. Warning: this review includes spoilers.
Jul 21, 2023•9 min
At 61, Tom Cruise is so determined to make us happy that he’s willing to risk his life for it. And here’s the thing – he delivers. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1, the seventh instalment in the Mission Impossible series, is a dazzling, consistently pleasurable ride. To know more about the film, listen to the full review by Anupama Chopra.
Jul 13, 2023•6 min
Neeyat starring Vidya Balan with an ensemble cast including Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Dipannita Sharma, Shashank Arora, Shahana Goswami, Neeraj Kabi and Amrita Puri is a film brimming with possibilities. The end twist, though far-fetched, is wicked. And the set-up for a sequel is even more delicious. I can’t wait to see what these characters do next. The problem is the material before we get to this point. It’s an undercooked slog. To know more about the film, watch the full movie review by Anupam...
Jul 08, 2023•4 min
Tarla’s story is fascinating because this stratospheric culinary stardom wasn’t planned. To know more about the movie, watch the full review by Anupama Chopra on Reviews and More by Film Companion. It stars Huma Qureshi, Sharib Hashmi, and Purnendu Bhattacharya.
Jul 08, 2023•6 min
To get to the meat and emotion of Satyaprem ki Katha starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, you have to plow through a first half brimming with sparkly dance sequences, jokes that don’t land, and that stereotypical portrayal of the Gujarati community that Hindi cinema dishes out often. To know more about the film, listen to the full review by Anupama Chopra here.
Jul 01, 2023•6 min
The second edition of the Lust Stories anthology isn’t, strictly speaking, just about lust. To know more about the anthology, listen to the full review by Anupama Chopra here.
Jul 01, 2023•6 min
When I told someone that I’m going to see a film called Bloody Daddy, he said it sounds like bad porn. As it turns out, Bloody Daddy is a solidly entertaining cops-and-gangsters saga. It features Shahid Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Diana Penty, Ronit Roy, Rajeev Khandelwal, Ankur Bhatia, and Vivan Bhatena. Visit us at http://filmcompanion.in Follow Us On: https://www.facebook.com/filmcompanion https://www.twitter.com/filmcompanion http://instagram.com/filmcompanion...
Jun 09, 2023•7 min
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is both enjoyable and tiring, highlighting superhero fatigue in the 32nd film of the MCU. Director James Gunn continues to bring a unique sense of fun to the genre with this band of misfits. With the tagline "Once More with Feeling," it's a return to form for the Guardians. To know more about the film, listen to the full review by Anupama Chopra.
May 05, 2023•8 min
Afwaah (starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bhumi Pednekar and Sumeet Vyas), similar to Anubhav's recent Bheed or Hansal Mehta's Faraaz, is a part of Bollywood's dissenting cinema. While it is crucial to have such films, they often assume a morally superior stance, neglecting the importance of narrating a captivating story, which can itself drive change. As the renowned late American critic Roger Ebert once said, movies are the most influential aid to empathy among all arts, and excellent films can tr...
May 05, 2023•8 min
Ponniyin Selvan 2 starring Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Sobhita Dhulipala is a towering tale of ambition, tragedy, love, and greed. At stake is the crown of the Chola empire in 10th-century India. And where there is a throne, there must be blood. This film is a portrait of power, which we know is a Faustian bargain. It demands sacrifice – of lives, morals, and relationships.
Apr 28, 2023•6 min
U Turn starring Alaya F is a remake of the 2016 Kannada hit, also called U Turn. But debutant feature director Arif Khan isn’t content to merely retell the story of a makeshift divider on a flyover in a new language. To know more about the film, here's the full movie review by Anupama Chopra.
Apr 28, 2023•6 min
Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, starring Salman Khan & Pooja Hegde is a remake of the 2014 Tamil film Veeram. To be fair, this film has a more coherent narrative than Salman’s last few outings. But those were Radhe and Dabangg 3 so the bar is very low. To know more about the film, listen to the full review by Anupama Chopra.
Apr 22, 2023•7 min
In this review, film critic Anupama Chopra shares her review of the latest Telugu film, Shaakuntalam. She discusses her biggest takeaway from the film, the film’s soul-sapping tedium, VFX, and more.
Apr 15, 2023•7 min
A spy comedy with the formidable Radhika Apte as a Kolkata housewife who also happens to be an undercover agent. A sparkling idea. What could go wrong? As it turns out, everything. To know more about the movie, here's the full movie review by Anupama Chopra.
Apr 15, 2023•6 min
In this movie review by Anupama Chopra, with a gripping premise and a talented cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Ronit Roy and Mrunal Thakur, the movie falls short due to dull storytelling and uninteresting characters. Gumraah stars Aditya Roy Kapoor in a double role. This thriller is a remake of the 2019 Tamil film Thadam. Listen to the full review to know more!
Apr 08, 2023•5 min
Bholaa is Kaithi on steroids. Director, leading man and co-producer Ajay Devgn take Lokesh Kanagaraj’s 2019 action drama – Kaithi means prisoner - and cranks up the volume, literally and metaphorically, to 11. The operating principle of this film is more is more. Bholaa stars Tabu, Deepak Dobriyal, Sanjay Mishra, and Gajraj Rao in pivotal roles.
Mar 31, 2023•8 min
