Sumeet Nadkarni

The Indrani Mukerjea Story Buried Truth review : An outstanding docu-series detailing the widely reported Sheena Bora murder case; The Indrani Mukerjea Story makes for an ideal binge watch this weekend, especially when there aren't any new big ticket Bollywood releases to relish!! This four episode series of approximately forty five minutes each, takes an unbiased and uncompromising view on the high profile case, which involved the INX Media couple Peter Mukerjea and his as beautiful as ambitious wife Indrani. "Is it sin for a woman to be ambitious?", she asks the audience at one point!!! Narrated by various journalists (including a seemingly excited Rajdeep Sardesai), the disappearance of the twenty five year old Sheena Bora and her alleged skeletal remains found three years later, has enough meat to engage and grip even a few those, who may have never followed this difficult case!! The highlight is of course, Indrani Mukerjea explaning her side of the story. She appears so very bold yet so calm and composed while answering some tough questions. Having said that, the makers are clever enough to not let it influence your overall judgement in any manner. That is the series biggest strength. Everyone from Indrani's kids Vidhie and Mekhail to her defence lawyer, get a chance to offer their own perspective to the jigsaw puzzle of a case. It gives an almost Rashomon feel to the series. You decide for yourself using your intelligence...excellent stuff. Don't miss it on Netflix!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Salaar review : Like the KGF series, writer-director Prashanth Neel develops a new universe called Khansaar in this three hours gore fest of a movie called Salaar. The part one is ironically titled Ceasefire but filled up with relentless blood splurting violence, all in slow motion, with ultra loud bgm to shatter your eardrums along with the brain cells. Not that I have any problem with 'khoon kharaaba', I had truly madly deeply enjoyed Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, Salaar's plot is too confusing and incomprehensible at times, which makes it a tedious watch!! There's a hell lotta 'shor sharaaba' here which just doesn't make sense... Moreover, those forever dark frames get dull and distracting after a while. If the idea was to portray Khansaar as India's Gotham city, sorry it ain't working guys. In fact after a point, its difficult to make out who is killing whom and why!! On the positive, Rebel Star Prabhas is in form and conjures a good camaraderie with Prithviraj Sukumaran. The state of Khansaar, with its own set of tribes and rules, is also imaginative. One wishes Prashanth Neel had simplified his narrative and also avoided all those innumerable slo-mo action shots. Salaar could have been a much more satisfying action fare. Oh alas!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Dunki review : There's something called law of averages. After watching Dunki, you cannot help but realize that it has finally caught up with director Rajkumar Hirani. Dunki is his weakest film so far. It's also his only boring movie where his trademark humour is evidently missing, the emotions appear fake and forced and even the songs (except the climactic Sonu Nigam number) appear a tad underwhelming. Truly nothing is great about Dunki inspite it being Hirani's famed collaboration with in-form superstar Shah Rukh Khan (SRK). Heck, it looks an ordinary fare even from the technical point of view. So what went wrong might be your obvious question. How could a calibre filmmaker with an unblemished track record from Munnabhai (2003) to Sanju (2018) make a just about average movie!!! First and foremost, the plot is as old as those hills in Afghanistan. The issue of illegal immigrants or 'Kabootarbaazi' as it is notoriously known, was rampant in India (particularly Punjab) in the '80s and '90s. The legendary Dev Anand, always ahead of his time, made Des Pardes dealing with this subject way back in 1978. Till date, countless Punjabi movies have got made on the issue of donkey flights taken by these illegal immigrants. So at a story level, Dunki has nothing new to offer. Secondly, Hirani's brand of humour invariably appreciated in his every film right till Sanju (2018), goes missing this time. There is hardly a dialogue here which will make you genuinely lol. Most of the film's first half is devoted to an English speaking class which will remind you of the popular British sitcom Mind Your Language (1977) and its successful Hindi adaptation Zabaan Sambhal Ke (1993). No novelty factor at all!! Post interval, Dunki slips and dips further as the entire attempt of illegal migration to England lacks the thrill you would expect. Apparently, there's only one check post somewhere between Afghanistan and Turkey where SRK and his pals get caught. Sorry but not convinced, Sir!! While Hirani falters in his script, he manages to extract fine performances from the cast. The top billed Taapsee Pannu is bearable after quite a long time. Vicky Kaushal is highly impressive in a special appearance. Boman Irani makes his presence felt even in a short role. Anil Grover and Vikram Kocchar lend good support. Coming to SRK, he has solid screen presence and literally shoulders the film on his own. Having said that, I loved him in Pathaan and Jawan earlier this year but his Dunki act didn't exactly meet my expectations. Just like the rest of the movie!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Mast Mein Rehne Ka review : A quiet release on Amazon Prime in midst of the ongoing Animal shor-sharaaba; Mast Mein Rehne Ka turns out to be a breezy feel good fare with Jackie Shroff and Neena Gupta striking a sweet senior citizen friendship, which you would root and hoot... In fact, Jaggu dada is in top form (as usual) playing the Karwari Kamath to perfection. Neena Gupta, as the boisterous Punjaban cussing in every sentence and calling Jaggu "Madrasi" is also first rate. The angst and emotional pain of neglected senior citizens is effectively explored through their platonic relationship. There is a parallel love track between a petty chor (Abhishek Chauhan) and street hooker (Monika, impressive) surviving in the big bad Mumbai. Writer- actor turned director Vijay Maurya does quite well for his first full fledged movie. Mast Mein Rehne Ka easily fits in the "Can See" category. Make it your Sunday matinee!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

The Archies review : The Archie comics remain a memorable part of my growing up years apart from the Indian ones like Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle. The Archies was fun particularly for its characters (Betty is my personal fave) and its cheerful high school backdrop. Bollywood has borrowed its elements earlier in Mansoor Khan's Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) and Karan Johar's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) as well as Student of the Year (2012). Zoya Akhtar now makes an entire movie on the comics... Adapted to the Indian milieu, the characters are transported to a fictional hillstation Riverdale, which comprises Anglo-Indian folks only. So far so okay. But Zoya tweaks the main characters unnecessarily. She prefers her Archie (Agastya Nanda) without freckles. Jughead (Mihir Ahuja, impressive) doesn't gobble up hamburgers like in the comics. Reggie Mantle (Vedang Raina) isn't the one we know in the book. He's painfully docile and uncharacteristically friendly here while the all brainy Dilton Doiley (Yuvraj Menda) is a closet gay!!! Moreover, the Archies I read wasn't ever a woke but here, the high school gang initiate the save trees campaign which incidentally, is the crux of Zoya's two hours twenty minutes movie. The humour is bland, the Archie-Betty-Ronnie chemistry is non-existent and worse, those Hinglish songs popping up every now and then, add zero value to the narrative. I have loved Zoya's past directorials right from Luck By Chance (2009) to Gully Boy (2019). There's certain smartness and intelligence in her execution and presentation technique. Her characters are invariably well fleshed out and suit the actors playing them. On that front, The Archies will certainly rank as her weakest film till date. What about the star kids will be the obvious question here. Well, none of them leave any impression. Agastya Nanda is no hero material. Suhana Khan doesn't know A of acting. Khushi Kapoor, the better of this nepo-trio, is somewhat sincere as the lovable Betty Cooper. Overall, The Archies movie is a bland humourless dish, best left untouched. Go for the comic guys!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Animal review : In an interview to certain "elite" critic after Kabir Singh's (2019) success, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga had condescendingly requested to not hurry to review his movies. He also warned the critic that he would show "what violence is" in his next movie. Well with Animal, Vanga has definitely delivered his promise of violence and made a seemingly critic proof movie as those one or two star reviews don't matter anymore. The film was housefull in a generally empty Sunday morning show at Citylight Cinema, Matunga!! Indeed, Animal is a masterpiece (with its share of flaws) conceived and executed in a bloody abattoir. It is as impactful as that axe crashing the head of Ranbir's opponent. You may like it, hate it but you just can't ignore this movie. Surely!! The basic theme of a neglected son (Ranbir Kapoor) going to any length for his father (Anil Kapoor) bears resemblance to the Sanjay Dutt- Kabir Bedi track in Feroz Khan's not-so-successful Yalgaar (1992). But Vanga chooses to take a different route of highly sadistic violence and blatant male chauvinism. In one scene, Ranbir's character praises his girlfriend (Rashmika Mandanna) pelvis and states she will bear him good children. Ouch!! Expectedly, Vanga extracts outstanding performances from his prime cast. Ranbir Kapoor is extraordinary and his life trajectory, from a school kiddo firing bullets in his sister's classroom to an oldie telling a monkey joke over a glass of whiskey, is simply superb. The actor is truly a delight to watch in every scene!! Anil Kapoor is reliably first rate as the father who finds a criminal in his doting son. Having said that, the reason why he neglects his son right since childhood remains unexplored. Tripti Dimri leaves an impact even in a small role. She has also exposed a lot in that sex scene with Ranbir. Bobby Deol gets just three pivotal scenes and nails it. His mute villain speaks volumes through his fiery eyes. Take a bow, Lord Bobby!! Rashmika Mandanna isn't as bad as the trolling she got after the trailer release. Her role though a main heroine, isn't developed optimally!! On the flipside, the three hours thirty minutes runtime (with interval) gets a bit overbearing as the film's tempo dips at several places in the second half. Vanga's self indulgence leads to certain long drawn scenes particularly the Ranbir-Rashmika verbal duel during Karva Chauth and that entire village sequence where Ranbir goes to recruit his fighter team. Finally, Animal relies heavily on its violence. The blood splurting action sequences are never seen before in Bollywood. You will need nerves of steel to stomach it. The pre-interval carnage in a hotel will leave you flabbergasted. Ditto for the bloodied climax in an airfield!! And in case you feel you have seen it all, please wait for the end credits sequence. The bloodbath ain't over yet in Vanga's world. Theres an Animal Park coming!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Drishyam 2 (Malayalam) review : After last month's Master, Drishyam 2 is yet another big ticket South release on Amazon Prime which is wowing the audience. This is even as big brother Bollywood is struggling badly to announce its schedule as public continue to shun Hindi films post Covid lockdown. Sad situation but a lesson to learn....that good content always wins!! Coming back to Drishyam 2, it is six years since Georgekutty (Mohanlal) buried the evidence which could destroy his family forever. He is now an aspiring filmmaker cum theatre owner and living a comfortable life with his family until the past returns to haunt him. Is Georgekutty able to handle this new crisis? Jeethu Joseph's execution is a slow burner and nothing really transpires in the first hour...atleast, thats what you feel till the twists start unfolding and how!!! The penultimate moments elevate the movie to an altogether different level and it is here you understand why the first hour build up was so damn important. The performances are first rate specially Mohanlal who is extraordinary in the lead role. Note his body language in the scene where he slurs slowly while downing pegs of alcohol. Brilliant!! Drishyam 2 is indeed a great follow up to its original though I found the ending a bit far fetched than the first part. What Georgekutty did in Drishyam 1 looks convincing at least... strictly my point of view, you may choose to differ. Having said that, the film still manages to thrill and entertain us. Drishyam 2 ends up being a worthy sequel to the original. No doubt about it!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Ganapath review : Tiger Tiger burning bright In films not quite right!! Just when you thought it couldn't get worse than Heropanti 2 (2022), TIger Shroff unleashes this futuristic action drama, which sadly gets nothing right!! Neither the supposed 2070 era with its awful VFX and unimaginative landscape nor the WWE style action sequences which get plain monotonous after a point. Indeed, Ganapath turns out to be a torturous outing at the end of its two hours fifteen minutes runtime. Tiger Shroff, the sole reason I went in for the near empty morning show at Mahim's Citylight Cinema, is repeating himself in every movie. No doubt, he is sincere, he dances good, he kicks hard but all his films since Baaghi 3 (2020) haven't worked at the box office. It's a clear indication that the dude needs to reinvent himself fast. Being a Jaggu Dada fan, my best wishes always with his cub!! As for Ganapath, the dystopian world it attempts to create, where the rich oppress the poor and the common thread of WWE kinda matches between them, generates zero connect with the audience. The love angle also fails badly as there is hardly any chemistry between Tiger and Kriti here, though they always made a great pair right since their Heropanti (2014) days. The director is to be blamed!! Vikas Bahl has had a mixed filmography so far. For every Queen (2013) and Super 30 (2019), he has followed up with a disappointing Shaandaar (2015) and Goodbye (2022). With Ganapath, the director touches an abysmal low failing in every department from its music to VFX to action. Worse, he wastes the God of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan in a totally thankless role making you cry sacrilege!! The focus in Ganapath is purely on the free style wrestling bouts, which were comparably far better executed in Bollywood from Main Intaquam Loonga (1982) and Boxer (1984) right until the Salman Khan starrer Sultan (2016). In fact, the film's second half appears like a WWE tournament playing in a loop. Phew!! Undoubtedly, Ganapath would qualify as one of the worst I have endured this year. Let's see if Bollywood offers us a bigger bomb. After all, we still have two more months to go!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni

Thank You For Coming review : She's been looking for a frog to turn in to prince charming since her teens. At thirty plus of age, she's still not earned her orgasm. And that is after dating and mating with atleast half a dozen males, one of which is apna Anil Kapoor as a romantic shaayar twice her age. Meet Kanika Kapoor (Bhumi Pednekar), whose life apparently revolves around satisfying her Gspot. Frustrated and unsuccessful at it, she finally agrees to settle with a richie rich goodie good dude (Pradhuman Singh), who is as straight as Bharat Bhushan of yore. Oh Bore!! Finally, our Kanika aka Kannu experiences her first orgasm after a deep drunken party but unfortunately, doesn't remember whom she slept with. Was it her fiancé or the elderly shaayar or her bestie's curly burly hubby or someone else? Who gave her the satisfaction of a lifetime??!!! The film's second half is dedicated to finding who the gentleman was... as Kannu goes about questioning her suspects, "Kya tumne?". It actually reminded me of Akshay Kumar asking similar thing to a dozen girls in Heyy Babyy (2007). But guys, that was a Sajid Khan trash and hence, utterly excusable!! Here, the proceedings get thoroughly monotonous and boring after the interval... Bhumi Pednekar is an efficient actor and can rise above the script, given a good hand (pun unintended). But darlings, expecting her to shoulder an entire movie on her own, especially this one based on such a flimsy premise is taking things too far. About the rest of the cast, the less said the better. Thank You For Coming tries to drive a point that seventy percent women in this world don't experience orgasm in their entire lives. Dunno how true or false it is!! If it is indeed true, the movie treats it so frivolously that it fails to register in any manner. The climax offers a solution of "self help" as means to attain the ultimate sexual pleasure. "Aapla Haath Jagannath", it preaches unabashedly. But wasn't that the name of a blockbuster Dada Kondke movie of the '70s. Hmm, no further comment!!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Mission Raniganj review : Released with almost zilch promotion, Mission Raniganj appears to be a neglected project of Akshay Kumar, which the superstar hasn't pined much hopes on. If my guess is indeed true, that's quite sad as the film has an inspiring true story to tell!! Narrating the 1989 Raniganj coal mine incident in which braveheart Jaswant Singh Gill, a dedicated mining engineer, saved sixty five miners of Coal India trapped after a flood wroke havoc in the colliery; the film was initially called Capsule Gill (which became Jaswant Singh's popular name after this heroic feat). Gill won the Bravery award from the President of India for his incredible act of valour. It is really thoughtful of Bollywood to make a full fledged movie on him. Kudos to that!! Akshay Kumar as Jaswant Singh Gill, is earnest enough to make you root for him right till the end. The strong supporting cast comprising Kumud Mishra, Ravi Kishen, Pavan Malhotra, etc pitch in reliably assured performances. Dibyendu Bhattacharya is also memorable as the wicked Coal India senior officer with a sinister agenda. On the other hand, Parineeti Chopra playing Akshay's wife, is shortchanged with exactly four scenes. In fact, a street dog gets more prominence than her in the movie. Bow wow, dunno how!! All seen and endured, Mission Raniganj reminded me of Yash Chopra’s infinitely superior Kaala Patthar (1979), which had a similar plot of near impossible rescue operation in a coal mine. That film was inspired by another such tragedy at Chasnala in the '70s. Technically, Kaala Patthar, made forty years ago, is way ahead of Mission Raniganj. The flooding sequence in Raniganj looks ridiculously fake. The two songs are not worth a hum. And more importantly, the movie length appears tad stretched even at just about two hours fifteen minutes. Ho hum!! To sum up short and quick, Mission Raniganj has its heart and intent in the right place but its tepid execution makes it look like a 'sasta' Kaala Patthar. Risk it if you wish!! Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.