Falguni Mukherjee

I loved the original To The Boys I Loved franchise and the little snippets of Kitty ‘s relationship in the final movie was enjoyable. This series was highly anticipated because not only we would get to see Kitty growing into her own person but also the story of their mother. It could take a cute flashback and present scenario or something to do with letters. Howsoever, the entire thing came out disappointing, a strong independent character would move across the globe for a boy. Then the said boy cannot do anything but sign for five episodes straight. In middle there are lot of plot twist and turns making the story bland and confusing at the end. Why does the characters act and react in such a manner will leave its viewer baffled? I think the creator tried to amalgamate K drama with American series but failed miserably. It had great potential but so any angles and plot lines messed it up. The character of Dae and Min Ho was butchered by the creator. The last scene at the airport was messy and even if they aimed to get a sequel of the series they should have planned to plot lines in better manner. The dialogue delivery at certain parts became unbearable to watch. It was a fun one time watch.

The only problem with the movie is the VFX and casting of the two actresses. The story is amazing and intricately well researched from both historical and scientific perspectives. The direction and cinematography of the original locations are mesmerising. The dialogues are neither trashy nor weak, instead it flows into the storyline seamlessly. There are no caricature villains, rather realistic ideology portrayed with a Bollywood twist. The manner in which Sri Lanka and parts of India are shown is beautiful. I do not understand the hate that this movie got because it was a really good experience. I hope this kind of negativity does not discourage the creators from venturing into movies that connects our culture in a simplified manner.

There was a serial named, Na Ana Ish Desh Mere Lado when I was in school and I remember as a kid watching it and wandering about all those people who had to live in this reality. Female Foeticide is not an unheard term but with the legislation and government’s steps towards equality made me believe that the world truly have changed. But it did not and this movie did not help me draw that conclusion but it indeed held up a mirror to the society. The movie in bits and pieces showed not just female foeticide but the inhuman practise towards women. Story: As I said earlier this movie is not just about one topic but about the struggle women as whole goes through in a patriarchal society. The writers have successfully done their research to portray the narrow kindness and blind belief of people. I felt equally ashamed and proud while watching it because unfortunately I could not hide away from the truth that people as such do exist in the society. I have nothing more to say more than the story is a peek through window to a household in our society. These kind of regressive mentality people are just a few but they still do exist and it was very important to show them to the world. Acting: Ranveer Singh is a genius when it comes to acting, he will mold into any character and have a strong hold on your heart by his performance. He was truly phenomenal and convincing as Jayesh Bhai, the new man who is not ashamed of portraying his emotion and wants to do right by his family. He is manipulative for the sake of his family but that just shows the man behind the hero. Shalini Pandey have been such a graceful and power house ever since she played the meek heroine in Arjun Reddy. This movie explored her talent and she would totally dominate the theatre in some scenes. Ratna Shah and Boman Irani can truly be titled as legend because every performance they do involving this one is extraordinary because there is so much of impromptu energy. They play their character with such beauty that at some places their own created small gestures help to understand the complexity of the character in such a simple way. The child actor whose name I do not recall was brilliant and she might have been too young to comprehend her role but did not once let it effect her performance. She stood in toes with Ranveer and at certain scenes snatched the spotlight completely. Kudos to her. Direction: I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because of the way the movie flowed. I had a fear that it would be rushed or the humour will lessen the sincerity of the topic but what a fantastic work. I loved the last scene where the men acted as a human barrier, it was so empowering to watch. I am almost allergic to fight sequence but this scene left me in tears and cheering for our heroes in white. Jayeshbhai Jordaan is going to upset two type of people particularly, the men who claim to be feminist but are actually just scared of being called out and the women who see their own family member portraying the antagonist of the movie. It is a classic cinema and I hope a bolder world in future will be more appreciative towards the triumph efforts to portray this story. Also there is a debate about which community is responsible for the barbaric act of female foeticide again a misdirect anger. The real debate and focus should be placed on the people who have such regressive mentality whereas the country as whole is moving towards equality.

What a movie ! Story: This is a real life story and for Indians this was a moment of pride, a nation colonised for more than two hundred years because we were deemed natives and ill cultured because of supremacy of one single royal family. Whenever India wins at any place in any manner it is a strong command for all those years of suppression, torture, a clear message we always had rich talent and culture. My father remembers the time when India won World Cup and honestly for a month afterward no one could concentrate on anything but the glamorous win. The movie picked the historical event so well, it did not unnecessary put any sparkle but rather struck to the real event and kept it clean and humble. The character arch of every character, the dialogues were so perfectly sorted, it did not feel like a movie rather simply just a way of conversation. It captured the whole win so perfectly and there must be credit given for the writers. Actor: The actress had limited roles but that was the aim of the movie because focus was on the match and their team members. It will be extremely unjust to pick an actor but Ranveer Singh and Pankaj Tripathi because of the character influence and their talent does shine a lot. All the actors even some appearance that was only for a passing second was perfectly played, Hardy Sadhu and Amy Vik played their roles perfectly and they should be given more chances in Punjabi film industry with good script because they clearly have the potential to pull it off. Tahir Raj Basin again is a very talented actor and he gets completely under the skin of his role. For someone who had never seen these icons on field, in real time, there clones play perfect make believe. Song: Lehra De definitely is a show stellar, but the over all background score is bone chilling and spirit lifting, a combination very hard to find. Kudos to the person who completed the background score so nicely. Kabir Khan indeed is an intelligent filmmaker, he escapes the flimsiness of Bollywood and gives this movie the respect of a biography. It was simply an immersive experience to be able to watch a movie in cinemas again.

I waited for the Falcom and The Winter Soldier patiently because I had expectations that both the characters would come out of their stereotypical role and serve something new. The problem with the series is the script and that is why it is such a bore. The dynamics between Sam and Bucky are the same replica of Tony and Steve, the character of the New Captain is one we have seen before also. I know they wanted and needed to show the racial discrimination but it is not written nicely and seems like a concept forced into the series. Also I am just so tired of the same storyline repeating, it is predictable. The New World Order was intresting to see but the antagonist group are neither someone I would fear or sympathize with. This as a stand alone show would have done exceptionally well but as a Marvel Production is a huge disappointment. I just feel the whole plot is repetitive and very much predictable.