Photograph Movie Review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui's nuanced performance lifts up this tale of love and existential angst

Photograph: Ritesh Batra's tribute to Mumbai spells romance but the love story falls flat



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Photograph is the biggest release of the week. The film starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra is an unusual love story between a CA topper and a photographer who meet for the first time on the Gateway of India. This is Ritesh Batra's big project in Hindi after The Lunchbox. Shot extensively in Mumbai, it is a tale of love, existential angst and hope. This is the filmmaker's second collaboration with Nawaz after The Lunchbox.


Verdict
Photograph shines due to its depiction of Mumbai as a city with chaos, warmth, generosity, isolation and emotional exhaustion all in the same breath. Ritesh Batra's love affair with the city impresses but the same can't be said about Rafi and Miloni's unusual relationship.

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota movie review: Abhimanyu Dassani's confident debut and Radhika Madan's stellar act will take you on a joyride

Here's our take on Abhimanyu Dassani's debut film Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota


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Bollywood usually takes itself too seriously. There are only a handful of films where we have got a glimpse of that madness or suspension of belief done right. The genre is interesting and if approached with the correct sensitivity can yield some amazing results. Case study - this week's release Vasan Bala’s eccentric Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. Starring debutant Abhimanyu Dassani in the lead with Radhika Madan, the film's promo already set the tone on what to expect. The story of a young boy born with a disability that becomes his biggest ability - a medical condition where his body feels no pain. Interesting isn’t it ? Well if you throw in an antagonist like the often under-utilised and underrated Gulshan Devaiah in a double role then you stir a crazy pot of possibilities that bring insane results.


If you ask me then Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota is a definite ticket to buy this weekend. Buckle up for a fun ride where the unexpected becomes the new normalcy and logic and reason are tossed out so you could let your imagination run wild!
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Kesari Movie Review: Akshay Kumar's powerful performance lifts up the war epic

Akshay Kumar-Parineeti Chopra's Kesari takes you back to the pre-independence period of 1897



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Akshay Kumar is all set to entertain us once again with Kesari. The film directed by Anurag Singh is based on the Battle of Saragarhi. It is a cinematic account of the fight between the troops of the 36th Sikh regiment and Afridi and Orakzai tribesmen in 1897. The film also stars Parineeti Chopra as Akshay's wife. The film is releasing on Holi and is set to enjoy an undisputed run till Notebook and Junglee hits the theatres.


Kesari might not be a great war epic but is a well intentioned effort to acquaint young people with the valour, courage and nationalism of the Sikhs. It also talks about humanity. The film is a one time watch.
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Junglee Movie Review: Vidyut Jammwal and stunning visuals are let down by a drab plot

Junglee is a wasted opportunity for Vidyut Jammwal who is a great action star given his training in martial arts


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Vidyut Jammwal's Junglee is releasing this Friday along with Notebook. The film is an action adventure with the backdrop of elephant tusks poaching. The film also stars Pooja Sawant, Asha Bhatt, Atul Kulkarni and Akshay Oberoi. It is directed by Chuck Russell who has made hits like The Mask and The Scorpion King. The film has been shot largely in Thailand and marks Russell's debut in Bollywood. There was good buzz around the film due to Chuck Russell and Vidyut Jammwal. Here is our review of the film...


Verdict
Junglee is a wasted opportunity for Vidyut Jammwal and fans of the action star. We guess we have to wait for the Commando series.
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Notebook movie review: Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl's fresh chemistry makes this film a breezy watch

Here's our review of Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl starrer Notebook


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Lets make it clear, Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl's Notebook has absolutely nothing to do with the Ryan Reynold's classic of the same name. If at all it shares anything then it's the romantic genre. Produced by Salman Khan, Ashwin Varde and Murad Khetani, Notebook is an attempt to make a 'feel good' love story with two fresh faces. Pranutan holds the weight of being a descendant of an illustrious acting family - she's the granddaughter of Nutan and her father Mohnish Behl has done multiple films (most of the popular ones with Salman) in the 90s. Zaheer on the other hand is an outsider with no inkling to acting. The fact that Notebook has two new faces does help in giving the narrative a fresh approach.


Verdict
Notebook works well with its length. It doesn't meander and wraps up in its expected length. Also the film is light and the addition of kids gives it several feel good moments. Notebook makes for good viewing thanks to the freshness of its lead pair Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl. Also watch it for the adorable kids.
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