Reviews

What happens when a sincere director transforms a block buster star into a actor ? Result is Swades. In 1974, we'd "Roti, Kapda, Makaan" by Manoj Kumar and thirty years later we got Swades that showed that root level problems have increased manifold. Mohan's character is torn between his ultra luxurious life in a developed country v/s his place of birth that's dragging feet over decades of underdevelopment, poverty, illiteracy, corruption, discrimination against caste and religion.

One of the best films to come out of YRF banner. 90s generation will identify with that setting, those songs, magic of Kumar Sanu. Anu Malik has dn a fab job with music. Varun Grover's first National award 🥇 for Moh moh ke dhaagey. Full marks to Bhoomi & Ayushmann for breathing life into their characters. Such a strong supporting cast - Sanjay Mishra, Sheeba Chaddha, Seema Pahwa, Alka Amin. This film bot Ayushmann back from doldrums. Watch it for beautiful performances n a simple storyline that deals with complexities of self doubt and finding love.

There're stars, then there're actors. There're cliched Bollywood potboilers, then there're solid stories, scripts. There're "celebrated" directors who recycle the same wine, then there're those who push the envelopes. Irrfan, this film and Tighmanshu Dhulia fall in second category. Kudos to team for standing up against all odds n saying a story that would have stayed dead, had it not been for their guts n conviction. Films like Pan Singh & Wasseypur released within a gap of just two years n these films proved game changers for its creators by opening up a whole new viewership. Irrfan is phenomenal in this film. He owns every frame, bites n chews each scene. Well deserved National award n Padmashri for our dear departed actor. So long, Sir ! RIP dear Irrfan.

Kudos to excellent casting led by Pankaj Kapoor and superbly supported by Pankaj Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Deven Bhojani. Theater actors ko pranaam 🙏🏼 Each episode reminded me of RK Laxman's cartoon.

Tight storyline, superb starcast. These films deserve audience's attention and love. Keep up the good work !

"Tumhari shaadi ussey nahi hogi jissey tum prem karti ho, tumhari shaadi ussey hogi jissey mein prem karta hoo", thundered Bhawani Shankar. When legends like Hrishi da, Utpal Dutt ji, Gulzar saab, Pancham da, Amol Palekar, Deena Pathak, Deven Verma come together, we get a classic like Gol Maal. Here's the film that's almost four decades old, but who can forget "Aana wala pal" ? Our common man ie Amol Palekar beat likes of Rajesh Khanna at Filmfare back then, to win coveted Best Actor award. A big Thank you to entire team of Gol Maal for creating this simple timeless comedy.

London, Julia Robert, Hugh Grant, terrific supporting cast, a beautiful song : You say it best, witty, intelligent, sweet dialogues - Notting Hill is a classic. Hugh Grant stole my heart with his sincere performance. This one is a classic.

These two stars are for Gulzar saab and Rehman Sir. Both worked with Yash ji for the first n last time. Thankfully by the time this film came around, one had seen enough of Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Shoojit Sarkar, Zoya Akhtar, Sriram Raghvan, Sharad Katariya. These directors have brought new sensibilities to story telling. Not interested in Yash Raj buffet.

One understands the difference betn star and an actor while watching this film. While SRK does what's expected, Nawaz walks away as a scene stealer.

I remember actually walking out of the theatre. My film bored me completely. After English Vinglish, I'd better expectations from Gauri Shinde but this one thoroughly disappointed me.

Trust Hrishi da to craft a tale of two clashing personalities, put together a talented supporting cast, witty dialogues and present "Khoobsurat". Dina ji & Rekha ji shine as two diagonally opposite personalities and stand their ground, without overshadowing eachother. Brilliant Dada Moni is the eternal peacemaker in this family comedy. Ranjit Chowdhury deserves special mention as he effortlessly slips into the role of music crazy youngster. This Khoobsurat, this era if clean family comedy cannot be recreated. It's a classic. 😀

In this film, talent shines in writing, directing, acting, music, cinematography, editing dept. Brave attempt by Rajat to put together a relatively unknown cast, perfectly led by Sanjay Mishra. Watch this film to see life in Old Delhi joint family. Sanjay breathes life in character of Bauji. Seema Pahwa steals every scenes in which she stars. Sanjay deservedly earned Best Actor @ Filmfare's.

He gifted Hindi cinema one of the most memorable characters - Anand. Supremely gifted team of Hrishida, Gulzar, Salil da, Yogesh brought to life characters that made us laugh, cry n appreciate life. In role of a lifetime, Rajesh Khanna breath n lived his character. Intense and brooding, Sr Bachchan played his Babumushai with great restraint. Having a well rounded n memorable supporting cast has always been a special feature in any Hrishida's film. Durga Khote, Ramesh & Seema Deo, Dara Singh, Johnny Walker, Lalita Pawar warm your heart as Anand's friends. I saw this film in 1992. It completes half a decade as I write this and yet its beauty n simplicity only grows stronger. "Anand maraa nahi, Anand martey nahi."

Hrishi da could weave colorful, simple story for common man. His cinema walked a tight balance betn simplicity, commerce, daily stories. Hats off to Dada for giving us Rajesh Khanna in his career best performance (second only to Anand, again Hrishi da's). Soothing music, brilliant actors, engaging dialogues can only produce this masterpiece: Bawarchi. Rest in Peace, Hrishi da.

A huge round of applause for Sai ji and her entire team for this delightful comedy that completes four decades. Excellent casting with witty dialogues and beautiful Delhi setting gives a perfect setting to this light hearted romcom. This was pre Dil Chahta Hai era but bromance is unmissable in carefully crafted personalities of friends. Friendship, romance, engaging banter hold this classic till date. Two lovely songs are popular till date - Kaha se aaye badra, Kaali Ghodi dwaar ghadee.

Basu da beautifully depicts concerns and trials faced by a new wed couple in pre congested Bombay of 70s. Note that city itself plays an important character in the film. The camaraderie betn neighbors, chawl system, joint family, Kala Niketan @ Marine Lines - KK Mahajan captures milieu of metro through his lens. Amidst heavy duty stars like Rajesh Khanna and others who ruled block busters in that era, this film stands with its impressive cast led by Jaya ji, Anil Dhawan ji, Aga saab, Keshtoo Mukherjee and Mukhri ji - bring authenticity to their roles. Kudos to entire team. 👍🏻

This film beautifully captures Bombay in 70s, office going middle class, Bus 86 from Khar to Fountain (btw it still runs the same route!), conman, greenery of Khandala, awkwardness of relationship from acquaintances to love. Kudos to late Sharad Joshi for witty dialogues, to late KK Mahajan for showcasing Bombay through eyes of a commoner. Excellent cast led by Dadamoni & Amol ji. This film released in 1975 is enjoyed by ten yr child today. That's a classic. It has endured.

In this age of smart phones, digital life, Tinder, social media and mind numbing news channels, a film like Cycle slows down our running, and makes us ponder - exactly when did we lose our sense of wonder, why're we running, what happened to our simple lives ? I thoroughly enjoyed this film, watched again with my child and recommended to my friends. A well deserved National award win for this film and kudos to makers and entire team. Special mention for Bhau Kadam who uses facial gestures instead of dialogues. More power to such films and its makers.

It's been twenty years since this film released. I saw this in my 20s and still enjoy in my 40s. Two decades have passed by but the values depicted in the film (although at times unrealistically sugar coated) hold true and perhaps are needed more than ever. Sooraj ji managed a beautiful casting which is impossible in today's era. Supporting cast is played well led by late Sadashiv Amrapurkar. Upon its release in year 2000, this film was called "Corporate Ramayan". And perhaps it is. But at heart of this film - FAMILY. The GANGs of Wasseypur generation may disapprove of this joint family concept but I hope they take away the idea of staying connected with the family. Thank you, Sooraj ji.