Right from the very first episode, I couldn't connect with the story and I felt there were several unfilled gaps which made the storyline alvery artificial and stagnant. I somehow made it through till the 3rd episode, but after that I just couldn't take it. The screenplay is very slow and the performances by most of the actors is not convincing enough. The language slang used in the tv series is also really annoying. The police inspector's part is the most irritating character. There should have been more thrills along with a more tighter screenplay. Overall I felt this tv series as overhyped and boring.
Reviews
123 Reviews
Lust Stories 2
(2023)
A not so lusty part 2!
30 June 2023
Out of the 4 stories, I liked "The Mirror" by Konkona Sen Sharma & "Tilchatta" by Amit Ravindernath Sharma.
"The Mirror" was successful in portraying the hidden sexual fantasies among some people.
"Tilchatta" had a brilliant twist in the climax showing how an evil plan backfires due to a sexual urge that can't be kept hidden forever!
The other 2 stories weren't that promising.
"Made for each other" by R Balki where the portrayal of the idea that sex is the only thing that makes a happy and long lasting marriage, felt unconvincing to me.
"Sex with the Ex" by Sujoy Ghosh was an amateurish direction with a weak plotline. Although I couldn't take my eyes of the voluptuous Tamanna Bhatia.
"The Mirror" was successful in portraying the hidden sexual fantasies among some people.
"Tilchatta" had a brilliant twist in the climax showing how an evil plan backfires due to a sexual urge that can't be kept hidden forever!
The other 2 stories weren't that promising.
"Made for each other" by R Balki where the portrayal of the idea that sex is the only thing that makes a happy and long lasting marriage, felt unconvincing to me.
"Sex with the Ex" by Sujoy Ghosh was an amateurish direction with a weak plotline. Although I couldn't take my eyes of the voluptuous Tamanna Bhatia.
Laal Singh Chaddha
(2022)
A heartwarming remake of Forrest Gump
28 December 2022
This is truly one of the brilliant films of 2022. I am appalled at the way in which this film was deliberately defamed and subjected to false propaganda by some brainwashed people. Aamir Khan's performance is really impactful in the film,
although at some places he could have toned down his antics. The film brought tears in my eyes at the end. I was really impressed with the story being moulded from the original to suit the Indian context. The music is melodious and the screenplay is decently paced. At no point do you feel that the movie is too long considering the overall runtime of the movie.
F9: The Fast Saga
(2021)
Waste of time and money!
11 September 2021
Boring and Illogical action scenes! Even after the car rolls 3 times and it's glasses get smashed, the driver and the passenger won't have even a tiny scratch on their faces! Nonsense crappy film! Waste of time and money!
Mayamruga
(1998– )
A meaningful & classic Kannada serial of the 90s era!
5 July 2021
This Kannada serial was one of the most sensibly crafted serials. It used to be telecast on Doordarshana Chandana TV channel in the evening during the late 90s. The theme music of this show was very popular and haunting. One could listen to this music coming from many houses at that time in Bengaluru as soon as the evening set in. The show had a really wonderful charm attached to it, which instantly attracted viewers of almost all age groups. Each of the characters in the show were quite unique and they were portrayed brilliantly by some skilful actors and this ultimately helped people to form a close bond with them. Whenever I watch this show it gives out a truly nostalgic feel and makes me reminisce all the beautiful memories of the bygone era!
Sherni
(2021)
Nothing to brag about. Just an average film!
20 June 2021
The film leaves a decent impact on the viewer with its heartwarming climax but apart from that there's nothing else that makes it a must watch or outstanding as exaggerated in the critic's reviews, which are mostly paid ones. The film has many points where you expect something thrilling to happen but eventually nothing even close to that happens! This is actually a short film of about 45 mins stretched endlessly to make it into a full length feature film.
One of the best episodes of the series!
10 June 2021
This episode keeps you engaged throughout, with an intriguing storyline. The way Sucheta Dalal meticulously plans her actions in this episode with the risk taking ability and news story follow up takes the cake! The Times of India editor also stands out through his brilliant decision making and cautious approach, keeping up the journalism ethics stands out! Loved this episode! Truly one of the best episodes of this series!
Motichoor Chaknachoor
(2019)
An underrated comedy drama!
23 May 2021
Looking at the IMDB rating of around 5, I thought this would be a waste of time to watch, however I was proved wrong! This film deserves atleast 7 stars out of 10. The story is very engaging along with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Athiya Shetty's brilliant and charming act which livens up the viewer's mood. The majority of the film shooting has been done in a housing colony somewhere in MP. With a simple story and a low budget the director has crafted a good and entertaining family movie. The movie is worth the time spent!
You Are My Sunday
(2016)
Natural and heartwarming!
13 February 2021
These kinds of movies are very rare. The story has the friendly and warm feeling infused in it which slowly connects with the viewer. The performance by every member of the cast is inspiring and natural. The sunny and cosy atmosphere including the beaches of Mumbai and Goa in the background lifts up the mood. I just fell in love with this movie.
I cried after watching this episode!
1 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
One of the most emotional episodes of The Walking Dead. I am re-watching all episodes from season 1 which I last watched in 2013, almost 7 years back! Oh boy! It feels so emotional to watch all the characters again! I just couldn't stop watching Rick's reunion with his son, how Carl runs to his father after seeing him and Rick's reaction is just heartwarming!
Just Mohabbat
(1996– )
One of the best Indian TV serials of the 90s
5 July 2020
I used to watch this TV serial daily on Sony TV during my school days. The fact that this show was a family drama and involved the story of a school kid of the same age as mine made me connect with this serial instantly. The show had many characters with whom I was able to relate to with the ones in my real life. The moral values and the heart touching emotions portrayed in the show made me instantly connect to it. Also all the actors had a very matured and authentic style of acting helping me to bond with them. I won't be able to forget this show and today when I watch this serial once again I get very emotional! This serail stands out as one of the wonderful gems of the 90s era!
Malgudi Days
(2020)
"A decently enjoyable journey down the memory lane!"
8 March 2020
Lakshminarayana Malgudi, a 65 year-old celebrated author who announces his retirement from writing, is at a crossroads in his life. He meets a young girl named Prakruthi, who quits her job and is confused about her next step in life. What happens when they meet & decide to take a road trip together to the beautiful Malnad region of Karnataka? The journey unwinds quite interestingly as we are shown the writer's connection with Malgudi Days.
The film explores the heart warming human relationships that are formed eventually as the time goes by. It also tries to show how the emotions change either due to slight misunderstandings or inane reasons. At another end it takes you down the memory lane where one can reminsce the school memories and endure on a trip of nostalgia! It is similar to the sequence shown in last year's Kannada movie '99' which was also pictured in the beautiful town of Thirtahalli.
The screenplay is decent enough to keep you entertained throughout the end along with a good storyline. However the film feels a bit lengthy as it nears the ending. There are also some inconsistencies in the acting by the newcomers in the film which add to the negatives. The cinematography and music is decently done. The editing could have been better.
There are some issues when it comes to the casting of the film. In the part where the school days are shown, the teacher's role is played by a very young girl. She looks more like a school girl when compared to her students, exactly like those cute kids enacting adult roles in the last year's Kannada film Girmit!
Vijay Raghavendra has given one of his best performances in the movie and he carries the prosthetic looks of a 65 year old quite well. Although the makeup looks a bit unrealistic, the efforts of the film team are laudable. Tulunaada Chakravarti Arjun Kapikad also impresses in his role while Greeshma Sridhar gives a fair performance.
Overall, this movie has its strengths in some parts but falls through in other parts. Nevertheless it does turn out to be a decent one time watch with quite a good amalgamation of relationships & nostalgia!
The film explores the heart warming human relationships that are formed eventually as the time goes by. It also tries to show how the emotions change either due to slight misunderstandings or inane reasons. At another end it takes you down the memory lane where one can reminsce the school memories and endure on a trip of nostalgia! It is similar to the sequence shown in last year's Kannada movie '99' which was also pictured in the beautiful town of Thirtahalli.
The screenplay is decent enough to keep you entertained throughout the end along with a good storyline. However the film feels a bit lengthy as it nears the ending. There are also some inconsistencies in the acting by the newcomers in the film which add to the negatives. The cinematography and music is decently done. The editing could have been better.
There are some issues when it comes to the casting of the film. In the part where the school days are shown, the teacher's role is played by a very young girl. She looks more like a school girl when compared to her students, exactly like those cute kids enacting adult roles in the last year's Kannada film Girmit!
Vijay Raghavendra has given one of his best performances in the movie and he carries the prosthetic looks of a 65 year old quite well. Although the makeup looks a bit unrealistic, the efforts of the film team are laudable. Tulunaada Chakravarti Arjun Kapikad also impresses in his role while Greeshma Sridhar gives a fair performance.
Overall, this movie has its strengths in some parts but falls through in other parts. Nevertheless it does turn out to be a decent one time watch with quite a good amalgamation of relationships & nostalgia!
Ondu Shikariya Kathe
(2020)
"A commendable effort in churning out a subtle yet significant piece of art!"
7 March 2020
This film has recently won the award for the 2nd Best Kannada Cinema at the recently concluded Biffes (Bengaluru International Film Festival) 2020. This movie is not for the regular set of film audience because it is more of an art film, meant for only those people who are true art film connoisseurs.
It mainly revolves around a novelist named Shambu Shetty, who ardently follows the principles of non-violence. On his assistant, Hari's suggestion he decides to write an autobiography about himself and starts recollecting his younger days. He believes that he is responsible for the death of his father, who was a hunter. What happens when he decides to break his inhibitions by taking up a gun and going on a hunt? From hereon the film takes off rather interestingly as a series of mysterious events befall.
The film has a mysterious charm woven into it, which helps in building up a keen interest in the viewer's mind and captivates him. The attributes of greed, selfishness, hope, misfortune & helplessness are portrayed skillfully. Also since the movie is entirely set in the backdrop of coastal Karnataka; the beautiful wooden architecture, the serene environment, the calming beaches and the mysterious forests act as the key factors of appeal.
The story works pretty well with a slow paced screenplay. The first half has a slow narrative as each of the characters are introduced and ends with an exciting twist at the interval. The second half is very gripping and the mystery factor completely envelops the viewer. The eye catching cinematography, especially the lush green flora captured via the drone shots and the soft background music are commendable. The attention to detail and a few sequences in the movie could have been better.
The cast of the film has a mix of experienced actors & newbies. Although the expressiveness feels less at times, the acting is convincing enough. Pramod Shetty as Shambu Shetty gives out another brilliant act. M.K. Mutt as Hari doles out a heart touching performance. The alluring love story between Harsha, played by the handsome Prasad Cherkady and Uma, played by the beautiful Siri Prahlad is touching. Their chemistry is wonderful, leaving you wanting more. Abhimanyu Prajwal has performed well in a negative role. Sripriya as Akku has also played a good supporting role.
Overall, this film is a great effort by a team of newcomers and stands out with its subtle yet significant storyline. The film has some shades of previously released Kannada films like Anukta, Yashogathe, Ammachi Yemba Nenapu & Rangitaranga. If you're an art film lover, then you will definitely like this one.
It mainly revolves around a novelist named Shambu Shetty, who ardently follows the principles of non-violence. On his assistant, Hari's suggestion he decides to write an autobiography about himself and starts recollecting his younger days. He believes that he is responsible for the death of his father, who was a hunter. What happens when he decides to break his inhibitions by taking up a gun and going on a hunt? From hereon the film takes off rather interestingly as a series of mysterious events befall.
The film has a mysterious charm woven into it, which helps in building up a keen interest in the viewer's mind and captivates him. The attributes of greed, selfishness, hope, misfortune & helplessness are portrayed skillfully. Also since the movie is entirely set in the backdrop of coastal Karnataka; the beautiful wooden architecture, the serene environment, the calming beaches and the mysterious forests act as the key factors of appeal.
The story works pretty well with a slow paced screenplay. The first half has a slow narrative as each of the characters are introduced and ends with an exciting twist at the interval. The second half is very gripping and the mystery factor completely envelops the viewer. The eye catching cinematography, especially the lush green flora captured via the drone shots and the soft background music are commendable. The attention to detail and a few sequences in the movie could have been better.
The cast of the film has a mix of experienced actors & newbies. Although the expressiveness feels less at times, the acting is convincing enough. Pramod Shetty as Shambu Shetty gives out another brilliant act. M.K. Mutt as Hari doles out a heart touching performance. The alluring love story between Harsha, played by the handsome Prasad Cherkady and Uma, played by the beautiful Siri Prahlad is touching. Their chemistry is wonderful, leaving you wanting more. Abhimanyu Prajwal has performed well in a negative role. Sripriya as Akku has also played a good supporting role.
Overall, this film is a great effort by a team of newcomers and stands out with its subtle yet significant storyline. The film has some shades of previously released Kannada films like Anukta, Yashogathe, Ammachi Yemba Nenapu & Rangitaranga. If you're an art film lover, then you will definitely like this one.
Mayabazar 2016
(2020)
"An entertaining comedy drama dealing with the demonetization hangover!"
28 February 2020
Not many would have forgotten the day of 8th November 2016, when Modi had shocked almost everyone with his announcement on live TV that all 500 and 1000 rupees notes would be banned with immediate effect. This movie mainly shows the shock and awe of the note ban, coupled with a cracking sense of humour.
The story is based around 3 characters - an honest cop, a con artist & a hopeless romantic who are in need of money. They team up together to pull off a scam and make some big bucks. However it doesn't turn out to be a smooth ride for them and eventually things go terribly wrong! How exactly they come out of it forms the rest of the plot.
The film has numerous comedy sequences paired with some rib-tickling dialogues which will leave you laughing out loud and eventually asking for more! It also has an engaging screenplay without any dull moments, taking you on a fun ride with a neat approach. There is no indecent humour anywhere and is one of the success factors of this film.
The acting department predominantly plays a huge role in this film. Raj B Shetty turns out as a fab entertainer with his brilliant comic timing and expressions. Seasoned actor Achyuth Kumar's performance is really heartwarming and he has aced it! Vasishta N Simha charms with his humble and strong acting.
Prakash Raj impresses with his typical style of acting. Sadhu Kokila's role is to watch out for, as he has tried a tad different role this time and he shines out amazingly! And to surprise you, Huchha Venkat also has played a small role where he shows off his signature dialogues giving a 'mad' start to the film!
Overall, this turns out to be a great film to unwind yourself over the weekend and indulge in a fun filled ride of entertainment. Oh yes wait!!! There's also a peppy dance track featuring Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar at the end and Appu Sir stuns you with his magnificent dance moves!
The story is based around 3 characters - an honest cop, a con artist & a hopeless romantic who are in need of money. They team up together to pull off a scam and make some big bucks. However it doesn't turn out to be a smooth ride for them and eventually things go terribly wrong! How exactly they come out of it forms the rest of the plot.
The film has numerous comedy sequences paired with some rib-tickling dialogues which will leave you laughing out loud and eventually asking for more! It also has an engaging screenplay without any dull moments, taking you on a fun ride with a neat approach. There is no indecent humour anywhere and is one of the success factors of this film.
The acting department predominantly plays a huge role in this film. Raj B Shetty turns out as a fab entertainer with his brilliant comic timing and expressions. Seasoned actor Achyuth Kumar's performance is really heartwarming and he has aced it! Vasishta N Simha charms with his humble and strong acting.
Prakash Raj impresses with his typical style of acting. Sadhu Kokila's role is to watch out for, as he has tried a tad different role this time and he shines out amazingly! And to surprise you, Huchha Venkat also has played a small role where he shows off his signature dialogues giving a 'mad' start to the film!
Overall, this turns out to be a great film to unwind yourself over the weekend and indulge in a fun filled ride of entertainment. Oh yes wait!!! There's also a peppy dance track featuring Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar at the end and Appu Sir stuns you with his magnificent dance moves!
Ribbon
(2017)
"Nothing much great in the storyline but there's a subtle & naturalistic charm"
26 February 2020
The film showcases the usual way of life that a modern family would undergo. The plot unfolds in a simple manner with a clean approach. The natural and realistic charm along with the relatable characters might be the only thing that keeps you engaged. It doesn't have much of surprises or twists as such. The viewer keeps expecting something unusual to happen but there's nothing really great that happens throughout the length of the film. One can watch this one only if they just want to pass their time!
Shivaji Surathkal
(2020)
"Quite an engaging whodunnit with some neat shades of mystery & thrill!"
22 February 2020
This film mainly shows the murder investigation of a man who dies while spending a night at a resort in Ranagiri near the Madikeri forests. The case is taken up by detective Shivaji Surathkal, who is known to solve cases using his power of imagination. How will he solve this mystery ? Is there a ghostly angle to this? You need to watch this interesting film to know that!
The film has an eerie charm entwined with a slick narrative which keeps you quite engaged. The beguiling nature of the film paired with the dark night themed cinematography sets up the viewer's mood. The background music is also aptly done to complement the mystery factor.
The plot unfolds in a captivating manner, however the way in which it is presented in Ramesh Aravind's typical style makes it slightly monotonous, and the mystery factor does fade off a bit. A more naturalistic approach would have made this a fantastic film. Nonetheless it does overcome this shortfall with some impressive twists & turns which will keep you hooked to the screen.
Ramesh Aravind in his 101st film does manage to impress with his mature performance at the critical parts of the film. Raaghu Ramanakoppa deserves a mention for his enjoyable comedy dialogues along with perfect comic timing. Radhika Narayan doles out an elegant performance as usual.
All in all, this film has the right qualities of a whodunnit mystery to watch with your family this weekend. The loose ends won't really matter much as the neat shades of thrill gets the better of it!
The film has an eerie charm entwined with a slick narrative which keeps you quite engaged. The beguiling nature of the film paired with the dark night themed cinematography sets up the viewer's mood. The background music is also aptly done to complement the mystery factor.
The plot unfolds in a captivating manner, however the way in which it is presented in Ramesh Aravind's typical style makes it slightly monotonous, and the mystery factor does fade off a bit. A more naturalistic approach would have made this a fantastic film. Nonetheless it does overcome this shortfall with some impressive twists & turns which will keep you hooked to the screen.
Ramesh Aravind in his 101st film does manage to impress with his mature performance at the critical parts of the film. Raaghu Ramanakoppa deserves a mention for his enjoyable comedy dialogues along with perfect comic timing. Radhika Narayan doles out an elegant performance as usual.
All in all, this film has the right qualities of a whodunnit mystery to watch with your family this weekend. The loose ends won't really matter much as the neat shades of thrill gets the better of it!
Popcorn Monkey Tiger
(2019)
"A raw crime film riddled with a hefty dose of blood & gore!"
22 February 2020
Director Duniya Soori's films have never failed to surprise us because of the realistic visualization & dark natured story built into them. His last film Tagaru which was a blockbuster hit, introduced us to a deadly character named Daali portrayed by Dhananjaya. However that can be said to be just a trailer of Dhananjaya's potential. Popcorn Monkey Tiger is a full fledged film where you get to see his ultimate acting prowess! The intensity and rawness is just mind boggling!
There is no straightforward story in this film. The film unfolds in a convoluted manner showing the life of a tough gangster named Tiger Seena. His rabid way of living, the complicated relationships along with his travails in life are shown in a raw and violent manner.
The film presents the traits of the low side of life very realistically, paired with some really gut wrenching scenes. The poverty stricken slums, the turf wars evident in the underbelly of crime world, the lust for sex, prostitution etc, forms the raw appeal of this film and is what stands-out throughout the entire length of the film.
The disjointed narrative puzzles you and only an intelligent film audience can understand this by watching it for the first time. The normal film audience would need a second watch to understand it completely. This proves to be both the positive & negative aspect of this film and entirely depends on the viewer on how he perceives it.
The cinematography by Shekar S is haunting, with several distinctive shots captured incredibly through the camera lens! The intoxicating and psychedelic music by Charan Raj is another factor which makes this movie experience so dope! Popcorn Devi, Mooga, Haavrani, Galeeju, Sugar, Kothmari, Razor - These bizzare names of all the characters remain etched in your minds after watching this film.
Each and every actor has performed spectacularly in the film. Dhananjaya proves once again that he is one of the most brilliant actors in Sandalwood. The intense looks, dialogues and way in which he carries out himself is truly amazing! Amrutha Iyengar steals your heart, Niveditha gives out a stunning performance and Sapthami Gowda's expletive-laden acting is absolutely delightful! There are many other actors who have acted really well.
To sum it up, this film is one of the finest blood violence films to come out in Sandalwood in the recent times & the blood soaked theme makes it truly mind blowing! This one is definitely not for the chicken-hearted!
There is no straightforward story in this film. The film unfolds in a convoluted manner showing the life of a tough gangster named Tiger Seena. His rabid way of living, the complicated relationships along with his travails in life are shown in a raw and violent manner.
The film presents the traits of the low side of life very realistically, paired with some really gut wrenching scenes. The poverty stricken slums, the turf wars evident in the underbelly of crime world, the lust for sex, prostitution etc, forms the raw appeal of this film and is what stands-out throughout the entire length of the film.
The disjointed narrative puzzles you and only an intelligent film audience can understand this by watching it for the first time. The normal film audience would need a second watch to understand it completely. This proves to be both the positive & negative aspect of this film and entirely depends on the viewer on how he perceives it.
The cinematography by Shekar S is haunting, with several distinctive shots captured incredibly through the camera lens! The intoxicating and psychedelic music by Charan Raj is another factor which makes this movie experience so dope! Popcorn Devi, Mooga, Haavrani, Galeeju, Sugar, Kothmari, Razor - These bizzare names of all the characters remain etched in your minds after watching this film.
Each and every actor has performed spectacularly in the film. Dhananjaya proves once again that he is one of the most brilliant actors in Sandalwood. The intense looks, dialogues and way in which he carries out himself is truly amazing! Amrutha Iyengar steals your heart, Niveditha gives out a stunning performance and Sapthami Gowda's expletive-laden acting is absolutely delightful! There are many other actors who have acted really well.
To sum it up, this film is one of the finest blood violence films to come out in Sandalwood in the recent times & the blood soaked theme makes it truly mind blowing! This one is definitely not for the chicken-hearted!
Gentleman
(2020)
"A moderately exhilarating suspense thriller"
19 February 2020
This movie explores a rather interesting topic of a rare sleeping disorder called Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS), also known as 'The Sleeping Beauty Syndrome'. The protagonist in this film suffers from this, which causes him to experience recurring periods of excessive sleepiness, where he sleeps for almost 18 hours a day! This leaves him with only 6 hours of wake time and only during these few hours can he do all of his productive work along with balancing his family and love life. One day he faces an unexpected situation and gets in a challenging situation. How exactly he comes out of this is what the whole movie's all about.
The film has a mysterious charm infused into it, along with a dark toned cinematography which sets up the viewer's mood. The heavy background music also adds to the thrill factor. The first half of the film is captivating and holds the attention of the viewer. However the thrill factor slowly starts to fade off as the second half unfolds. The screenplay also becomes a tad wearisome during the climax.
The storyline though is quite interesting with a mix of suspense, effective dialogues, good acting and some melodious song sequences. The film has tried to show the illegal egg harvesting racket and the dirty secrets of 'Eggsploitation'. There are some plotholes which derail the narrative in between and a more realistic way of storytelling would have helped in sorting this out.
Prajwal Devaraj gives out a really good performance paired with his smart looks and action. Nishvika Naidu also delivers her part nicely along with her gorgeous looks. The cute child actor Aaradhya's performance will definitely melt you. Especially her cute voice singing "Chikki Chikki Chikki nanna Chikkappa, Naanu Thinno chocolate kinta neenu sweetappa!" and adorable expressions will steal your heart! Sanchari Vijay also impresses with his authentic acting.
All in all this film has the combination of good aspects to give you a decently riveting cinema watching experience. It can prove to be a moderately exhilarating one time watch with your family!
The film has a mysterious charm infused into it, along with a dark toned cinematography which sets up the viewer's mood. The heavy background music also adds to the thrill factor. The first half of the film is captivating and holds the attention of the viewer. However the thrill factor slowly starts to fade off as the second half unfolds. The screenplay also becomes a tad wearisome during the climax.
The storyline though is quite interesting with a mix of suspense, effective dialogues, good acting and some melodious song sequences. The film has tried to show the illegal egg harvesting racket and the dirty secrets of 'Eggsploitation'. There are some plotholes which derail the narrative in between and a more realistic way of storytelling would have helped in sorting this out.
Prajwal Devaraj gives out a really good performance paired with his smart looks and action. Nishvika Naidu also delivers her part nicely along with her gorgeous looks. The cute child actor Aaradhya's performance will definitely melt you. Especially her cute voice singing "Chikki Chikki Chikki nanna Chikkappa, Naanu Thinno chocolate kinta neenu sweetappa!" and adorable expressions will steal your heart! Sanchari Vijay also impresses with his authentic acting.
All in all this film has the combination of good aspects to give you a decently riveting cinema watching experience. It can prove to be a moderately exhilarating one time watch with your family!
Birds of Prey
(2020)
"A wacky feminist comic book film with a tepid climax!"
11 February 2020
This film which is based around the DC Comics Universe, narrates the quirky story of Harley Quinn, the psychomaniac girlfriend of the Joker, after her breakup with him. A young girl named Cass is on the hitlist of Roman Sionis A.K.A. Black Mask, the supervillain of Gotham city and Harley gets entangled in it. Three other characters - Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya enter the picture and what follows is an adventure packed ride, paired with crazy action turning the whole city upside down!
Opening up with a cartoon graphic animation which gives a brief background of Harley's past, the screenplay unfurls in a fast paced manner as Harley herself does the narration of events. The nonlinear fashion with which it unfurls along with a good dose of fun, action and craziness, captures the viewer's attention.
The film explores the emancipation of Harley as she tries to cope up with her breakup. It particularly unravels her liberation from the deep psychological stress that she undergoes, eventually getting unchained to unleash her true colours of fury & madness! Her standout attitude along with some of her demented interpersonal views is shown quite splendidly.
It's really exciting to watch the characters display some wacky non-stop swift action, building up the curiosity of the viewer for the final showdown with the villain. However it kind of fails to live up to the expectations, with a rather tepid climax scene along with having quite a predictable outcome.
Margot Robbie as Harley, gives out an eye catching performance with her tremendous rushes of energy and intense emotions. Jurnee Smollett Bell also stands out as Black Canary with her hot looks and impressive acting. Chris Messina as Black Mask's sidekick has performed really well and he carries out his cruel & rabid looks fabulously.
Overall, this movie really stands out with several bouts of psychotic craziness and a good dose of action, however it's got some disappointment as it ends up with the expectations not living up! A one time watch can be recommended if you're a fan of the DC movie franchise.
Opening up with a cartoon graphic animation which gives a brief background of Harley's past, the screenplay unfurls in a fast paced manner as Harley herself does the narration of events. The nonlinear fashion with which it unfurls along with a good dose of fun, action and craziness, captures the viewer's attention.
The film explores the emancipation of Harley as she tries to cope up with her breakup. It particularly unravels her liberation from the deep psychological stress that she undergoes, eventually getting unchained to unleash her true colours of fury & madness! Her standout attitude along with some of her demented interpersonal views is shown quite splendidly.
It's really exciting to watch the characters display some wacky non-stop swift action, building up the curiosity of the viewer for the final showdown with the villain. However it kind of fails to live up to the expectations, with a rather tepid climax scene along with having quite a predictable outcome.
Margot Robbie as Harley, gives out an eye catching performance with her tremendous rushes of energy and intense emotions. Jurnee Smollett Bell also stands out as Black Canary with her hot looks and impressive acting. Chris Messina as Black Mask's sidekick has performed really well and he carries out his cruel & rabid looks fabulously.
Overall, this movie really stands out with several bouts of psychotic craziness and a good dose of action, however it's got some disappointment as it ends up with the expectations not living up! A one time watch can be recommended if you're a fan of the DC movie franchise.
Dia
(2020)
"A pure, simple & realistic piece of cinematic magic, evoking very strong emotions!"
10 February 2020
After his spectacular debut with the horror movie '6-5=2' which had taken the Kannada movie industry by storm way back in the year 2013, garnering accolades from all over the world and it being remade in Hindi & Telugu, director KS Ashoka is back with a masterpiece! This film which captures an emotional journey of love, will add another feather to his cap.
The story of this film revolves around an introverted girl named Dia and her complicated love life which unfolds in the most unexpected way possible. Dia's life changes in drastic ways causing her great amount of confusion, emotional stress and also sometimes happiness! The film mainly explores how "life is full of surprises & miracles!"
The way the plot unfolds is truly magical! This film has a very simple screenplay with each of the elements in it being exceptionally pure and natural. It has the power to evoke very strong emotions in you with its realistic look and approach. Due to the subtle nature of the film, the viewer just gets absorbed into the story in no time!
The film captures the innocence of the characters very effectively. There are no unnecessary elements in the storyline and also there are no song sequences, which makes this film connect very well with the class audience or particularly those who appreciate sensible and meaningful cinema.
The director deserves a pat on the back for bringing out this kind of timeless cinema which one doesn't get to watch usually in Sandalwood. The story plays with the viewer's emotions, showing the unpredictable nature of life. However at the end, he leaves the viewer dumbfounded with a scene which one would have never even imagined! This one scene could hamper the viewer's opinion about this film, mainly those who would have been expecting something with optimism!
The background score by Ajaneesh Loknath is soul stirring! Especially the theme song will keep echoing in your ears even after coming out of the theatre! The cinematography and editing is also praiseworthy with many scenes captured beautifully through the camera lens.
Each of the actors in this movie contribute immensely to the success of this film. Kushee as Dia gives out a spectacular performance while portraying the heart-touching emotions effortlessly! Pruthvee Ambaar steals your heart with his enthusiastic performance and he beautifully carries out his role in a calm & relaxed manner. Experienced artist Pavithra Lokesh doles out an elegant performance. Dheekshith also impresses in a heart touching role.
To sum up, this movie has a powerful story coupled with some heart touching performances, enough to stand out amongst the best love stories that have come up in the recent times! If you like meaningful films & those with very strong emotions, without any bit of commercial content, then you shouldn't miss this gem of art!
The story of this film revolves around an introverted girl named Dia and her complicated love life which unfolds in the most unexpected way possible. Dia's life changes in drastic ways causing her great amount of confusion, emotional stress and also sometimes happiness! The film mainly explores how "life is full of surprises & miracles!"
The way the plot unfolds is truly magical! This film has a very simple screenplay with each of the elements in it being exceptionally pure and natural. It has the power to evoke very strong emotions in you with its realistic look and approach. Due to the subtle nature of the film, the viewer just gets absorbed into the story in no time!
The film captures the innocence of the characters very effectively. There are no unnecessary elements in the storyline and also there are no song sequences, which makes this film connect very well with the class audience or particularly those who appreciate sensible and meaningful cinema.
The director deserves a pat on the back for bringing out this kind of timeless cinema which one doesn't get to watch usually in Sandalwood. The story plays with the viewer's emotions, showing the unpredictable nature of life. However at the end, he leaves the viewer dumbfounded with a scene which one would have never even imagined! This one scene could hamper the viewer's opinion about this film, mainly those who would have been expecting something with optimism!
The background score by Ajaneesh Loknath is soul stirring! Especially the theme song will keep echoing in your ears even after coming out of the theatre! The cinematography and editing is also praiseworthy with many scenes captured beautifully through the camera lens.
Each of the actors in this movie contribute immensely to the success of this film. Kushee as Dia gives out a spectacular performance while portraying the heart-touching emotions effortlessly! Pruthvee Ambaar steals your heart with his enthusiastic performance and he beautifully carries out his role in a calm & relaxed manner. Experienced artist Pavithra Lokesh doles out an elegant performance. Dheekshith also impresses in a heart touching role.
To sum up, this movie has a powerful story coupled with some heart touching performances, enough to stand out amongst the best love stories that have come up in the recent times! If you like meaningful films & those with very strong emotions, without any bit of commercial content, then you shouldn't miss this gem of art!
Love Mocktail
(2020)
"An adorably crafted mocktail of love!"
2 February 2020
This is quite a refreshing romantic film which has a good mixture of fun & emotions. It begins when the protagonist Adi bumps into a girl while on his way to Udupi. The film unfolds beautifully as Adi narrates his delightful journey in the quest for true love.
From teenage love to college love, all the way to adult love - this film takes you through the various stages of love life, sprinkled with a cute dose of romance. As the film progresses the on-screen romance goes from cute, cuter to the cutest! At the cutest stage, you can truly feel the warmth, trust and the care for each other that is portrayed by the actors.
The cinematography by Sri, especially during the second half of the film is brilliant! Barring one, all of the remaining songs in the film are very sweet sounding and the music by Raghu Dixit is impressive. The editing, dialogues, screenplay & the direction is laudable.
The only disappointment I felt is in the opening scene of the movie, which is overly melodramatic along with the unnecessary fight sequences which somewhat feels like an underwhelming start to a very beautiful cinematic experience that lies ahead.
All the actors who have acted in the main roles have performed well. Darling Krishna shines brightly as a wonderful actor as well as a director. His chemistry with the female actors is amazing! I couldn't take my eyes off the gorgeous Milana Nagraj who gives a matured & heartwarming performance. Her cuteness will almost melt you! Amrutha Iyengar also charms the viewer with her cheerful and impactful performance.
Overall, this movie has the right set of elements to serve as a lovely cinema to watch with your loved one in this festive month of love! If you are a fan of the romantic genre of films, then you should definitely not miss this refreshing & heart-warming piece of art!
From teenage love to college love, all the way to adult love - this film takes you through the various stages of love life, sprinkled with a cute dose of romance. As the film progresses the on-screen romance goes from cute, cuter to the cutest! At the cutest stage, you can truly feel the warmth, trust and the care for each other that is portrayed by the actors.
The cinematography by Sri, especially during the second half of the film is brilliant! Barring one, all of the remaining songs in the film are very sweet sounding and the music by Raghu Dixit is impressive. The editing, dialogues, screenplay & the direction is laudable.
The only disappointment I felt is in the opening scene of the movie, which is overly melodramatic along with the unnecessary fight sequences which somewhat feels like an underwhelming start to a very beautiful cinematic experience that lies ahead.
All the actors who have acted in the main roles have performed well. Darling Krishna shines brightly as a wonderful actor as well as a director. His chemistry with the female actors is amazing! I couldn't take my eyes off the gorgeous Milana Nagraj who gives a matured & heartwarming performance. Her cuteness will almost melt you! Amrutha Iyengar also charms the viewer with her cheerful and impactful performance.
Overall, this movie has the right set of elements to serve as a lovely cinema to watch with your loved one in this festive month of love! If you are a fan of the romantic genre of films, then you should definitely not miss this refreshing & heart-warming piece of art!
Naanu Matthu Gunda
(2020)
"Gunda will steal your heart in this touching story about pet love!"
25 January 2020
There's a quote where one mentions that a dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. This movie beautifully elucidates how true these lines are. The close relationship between a dog and his caretaker is shown in a very simplistic manner. The movie unfolds in a steady fashion, eventually enrapturing the viewer completely.
The story of this movie begins with an auto driver, Shankara finding a puppy in his auto rickshaw. After initially being apprehensive about keeping it, he slowly gets comfortable with Gunda (that's what he names the dog!). Shankara forms a close bond with Gunda, however it starts to affect his relationship with his wife Kavitha. The rest of the story unfolds in a heartwarming manner.
What makes this movie stand out is that it never deviates much from the narrative that it once establishes. It keeps the focus on very simple elements - the typical village backdrop, the innocence of the village folk, their humbleness and lifestyle, the naturalness in their conversations etc which act as the key factors that hold the viewer's attention.
There are also quite a few meaningful & sensible dialogues which makes this movie more believable. Each of the characters are showcased in the best way possible. The loyalty, obedience and respect that a dog has for it's owner is shown quite well throughout the movie. The music and cinematography are good enough and aptly done. The title song in Sonu Nigam's voice is really soothing.
The movie is Shivaraj KR Pete's show all the way. His display of emotions is just fantastic and he also establishes himself as a lead actor, who otherwise can be seen only in side roles. Govinde Gowda plays a wonderful role as Shankara's dear friend. His timing in dialogue delivery is just perfect! Samyukta Hornad has given one of her best performances where she plays the role of an evil yet kind hearted person very gracefully! The dog, Simba A.K.A. Gunda has been trained really well and it's amazing to watch him perform on the big screen!
To sum up, this movie tacitly strikes a chord with the audience with the right set of emotions. This movie is a great family entertainer to watch with your loved ones. If you like meaningful movies or if you're a pet lover, then you shouldn't miss this one. Gunda will definitely steal your heart!
The story of this movie begins with an auto driver, Shankara finding a puppy in his auto rickshaw. After initially being apprehensive about keeping it, he slowly gets comfortable with Gunda (that's what he names the dog!). Shankara forms a close bond with Gunda, however it starts to affect his relationship with his wife Kavitha. The rest of the story unfolds in a heartwarming manner.
What makes this movie stand out is that it never deviates much from the narrative that it once establishes. It keeps the focus on very simple elements - the typical village backdrop, the innocence of the village folk, their humbleness and lifestyle, the naturalness in their conversations etc which act as the key factors that hold the viewer's attention.
There are also quite a few meaningful & sensible dialogues which makes this movie more believable. Each of the characters are showcased in the best way possible. The loyalty, obedience and respect that a dog has for it's owner is shown quite well throughout the movie. The music and cinematography are good enough and aptly done. The title song in Sonu Nigam's voice is really soothing.
The movie is Shivaraj KR Pete's show all the way. His display of emotions is just fantastic and he also establishes himself as a lead actor, who otherwise can be seen only in side roles. Govinde Gowda plays a wonderful role as Shankara's dear friend. His timing in dialogue delivery is just perfect! Samyukta Hornad has given one of her best performances where she plays the role of an evil yet kind hearted person very gracefully! The dog, Simba A.K.A. Gunda has been trained really well and it's amazing to watch him perform on the big screen!
To sum up, this movie tacitly strikes a chord with the audience with the right set of emotions. This movie is a great family entertainer to watch with your loved ones. If you like meaningful movies or if you're a pet lover, then you shouldn't miss this one. Gunda will definitely steal your heart!
Wild Karnataka
(2020)
A wonderful film showcasing the magnificent wildlife of Karnataka!
21 January 2020
I had the privilege of watching this film at an exclusive screening at the Bengaluru Palace Grounds in March last year. Each frame in the movie is beautifully captured with the aerial, panoramic and macro shots setting up the mood. The film is narrated in Sir David Attenborough's magical voice which gives the touch of finesse to it! All in all one should not miss out on this amazing experience!
Vanilla
(III) (2018)
Quite a uniquely conceptualized film!
19 January 2020
This film particularly revolves around a drug called Vanilla. The direction is decently done and the film manages to hold the viewer's attention until the very end. It has an interesting charm to it and the story has the power to almost haunt you making you feel like you're drugged! The actors have also performed well along with decent cinematography & music. There are some flaws here and there but overall the concept is quite unique and the team should be appreciated for this impressive attempt. Do give this one a try!
Avane Srimannarayana
(2019)
"He finally descends in style!"
27 December 2019
The wait is over and he's finally here! Who is he??? He's Srimannarayana! Yes! This has been the most awaited film of 2019, creating a hell lot of curiosity for all the Kannada movie fans with its teasers and trailer which had left many people baffled with its mind-blowing Hollywood-stylized way of presentation, without giving any hint of what actually the storyline will be! The promotions also have been going really well, especially with the viral #HandsUpSongChallenge which had many people all over the internet grooving to the classy dance moves and the Augmented Reality photo booths in malls where one can take realistic photos with the film stars! The film has also been dubbed into 4 other Indian languages and will be released in a phased manner.
The story of this film is presented in a new genre called the 'Southern Odd Fiction' and takes place in a fictional town called Amaravati in Karnataka somewhere in the 1980s. A travelling theatre troupe is confronted by the dreaded 'Rama Rama', leader of the dacoit gang, 'Abhiras'. He kills all of them except a bandmaster after they refuse to divulge the details about a missing treasure. After Rama Rama's death, his son Jayarama fights with his half brother Tukarama for the throne but doesn't kill him as promised to his father. He takes an oath that he will ascend the throne only after the treasure is found and the culprits are killed. Tukarama leaves to become a cunning politician. A quirky new cop, Narayana comes into the picture, who is also behind the treasure. So how exactly will this treasure be found? You definitely need to watch this adventure filled story which unfolds in an exciting manner.
The film follows quite a unique style of story telling which will try to puzzle you. There are also multiple characters in the film and you need to pay close attention so that you don't get lost in the narration! The screenplay unwinds steadily and the director has made sure that the steadiness keeps you hooked to the screen until the end. It has the power to take you into a world of fantasy with a fine balance of some Western Cowboy influenced characters and Indian bandit influenced ones.
The film has more of humourous scenes when compared to the sentimental ones. The comedy works in some parts but falls through, evoking not much of laughter in other parts. The length of the film feels a tad longer with quite a wearisome climax sequence. However these are just some minor flaws and in no way affects the whole movie experience.
There are some stand-out factors in this film, which will have you awestruck! One of them being the sophisticated cinematography having a subtly westernized retro theme along with deep undertones with total attention to detail. The other one would be the top-notch background score which infuses liveliness and sets up the viewer's mood. Another factor which adds to it is the brilliant mix of music. Whether it's the foot-tapping "Hands Up" or the soul-stirring "Narayana Narayana", these songs are a treat to watch!
The film has a huge cast and each of them are casted perfectly to fit their characters. Rakshit Shetty gives a stunning performance with his typical swag and smooth action stunts. Shanvi Srivastava shines as an innocent-looking but brave woman. Balaji Manohar & Pramod Shetty give out brilliant performances as the two baddies. Seasoned actor Achyuth Kumar gives another wonderful performance as Rakshit's funny sidekick.
To sum up, this film is a great visual treat serving as the perfect choice of entertainment and also a perfect family entertainer. It has everything that one will look for in a movie - action, humour, music, adventure paired with a terrific story. The few minor flaws can be easily ignored, making this a one of a kind Sandalwood movie experience after a very long time! Don't wait! Just go and witness this amazing piece of work!
The story of this film is presented in a new genre called the 'Southern Odd Fiction' and takes place in a fictional town called Amaravati in Karnataka somewhere in the 1980s. A travelling theatre troupe is confronted by the dreaded 'Rama Rama', leader of the dacoit gang, 'Abhiras'. He kills all of them except a bandmaster after they refuse to divulge the details about a missing treasure. After Rama Rama's death, his son Jayarama fights with his half brother Tukarama for the throne but doesn't kill him as promised to his father. He takes an oath that he will ascend the throne only after the treasure is found and the culprits are killed. Tukarama leaves to become a cunning politician. A quirky new cop, Narayana comes into the picture, who is also behind the treasure. So how exactly will this treasure be found? You definitely need to watch this adventure filled story which unfolds in an exciting manner.
The film follows quite a unique style of story telling which will try to puzzle you. There are also multiple characters in the film and you need to pay close attention so that you don't get lost in the narration! The screenplay unwinds steadily and the director has made sure that the steadiness keeps you hooked to the screen until the end. It has the power to take you into a world of fantasy with a fine balance of some Western Cowboy influenced characters and Indian bandit influenced ones.
The film has more of humourous scenes when compared to the sentimental ones. The comedy works in some parts but falls through, evoking not much of laughter in other parts. The length of the film feels a tad longer with quite a wearisome climax sequence. However these are just some minor flaws and in no way affects the whole movie experience.
There are some stand-out factors in this film, which will have you awestruck! One of them being the sophisticated cinematography having a subtly westernized retro theme along with deep undertones with total attention to detail. The other one would be the top-notch background score which infuses liveliness and sets up the viewer's mood. Another factor which adds to it is the brilliant mix of music. Whether it's the foot-tapping "Hands Up" or the soul-stirring "Narayana Narayana", these songs are a treat to watch!
The film has a huge cast and each of them are casted perfectly to fit their characters. Rakshit Shetty gives a stunning performance with his typical swag and smooth action stunts. Shanvi Srivastava shines as an innocent-looking but brave woman. Balaji Manohar & Pramod Shetty give out brilliant performances as the two baddies. Seasoned actor Achyuth Kumar gives another wonderful performance as Rakshit's funny sidekick.
To sum up, this film is a great visual treat serving as the perfect choice of entertainment and also a perfect family entertainer. It has everything that one will look for in a movie - action, humour, music, adventure paired with a terrific story. The few minor flaws can be easily ignored, making this a one of a kind Sandalwood movie experience after a very long time! Don't wait! Just go and witness this amazing piece of work!
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