The first two seasons are immensely watchable. The characters are well shaped complimenting each other into a team that together made a great ensemble. There also was a certain depth and context to the small plots in each episode. But from the third season, to me, it just went all downhill. The characters felt as if their IQs were shaved by 30 points and EQs halved. They felt more like caricatures than characters with too much over the top dialogues and acting. Maybe that was what was needed to keep the series popular, I wouldn't know. But then it lost my interest. But I still recommend watching the first two seasons for almost anyone, especially families.
Reviews
59 Reviews
In the Aisles
(2018)
Life today
11 September 2022
I think it's a very aesthetic representation of life in aisles as in the assembly line (not much different in the cubicles). Didn't feel the darkness was exaggerated. You feel for the characters and then you think of yourself too. And of life today. The store itself is masterfully shot... the tall roofs and small aisles... for those working there, that's the sky and the streets. An existential film!
Needs a bit of existential acceptance to watch such movies. And an eye for the aesthetic... or else one might find it too gloomy. The direction is top notch. And the actors are such a great fit, they look like they actually work there. Marion, just like for the hero, is a welcome sight whenever she is in the frame... and she is used just optimally to make you feel the otherwise dullness of the place and work broken only when she's around. The mentoring relationship is another aspect very well-covered. Just to show that there's always some brightness and some warmth in the darkest and the coldest of places.
Needs a bit of existential acceptance to watch such movies. And an eye for the aesthetic... or else one might find it too gloomy. The direction is top notch. And the actors are such a great fit, they look like they actually work there. Marion, just like for the hero, is a welcome sight whenever she is in the frame... and she is used just optimally to make you feel the otherwise dullness of the place and work broken only when she's around. The mentoring relationship is another aspect very well-covered. Just to show that there's always some brightness and some warmth in the darkest and the coldest of places.
Music Teacher
(2019)
Weird
20 January 2022
I found the sensibility weird. The film was going nowhere either. Didn't feel like there was a genuine story the filmmakers had to tell. Never saw Neena Gupta so disinterested in a role. If this was an attempt at modern day Devdas, it failed.
Neev
(1991–2019)
Realistic
19 December 2021
An old series (you can catch it in Prasad Bhatti Archives on YouTube), but aged well. Even today it's one of the most realistic depictions of school and hostel life in a residential campus. The characters are shaped well, showing both their positives and vulnerabilities. Teacher-student relationship and the role of teachers and school in shaping young minds has been brought out well. Some actors are stiff, but overall as a group they do well. There's not a boring moment and youngsters of today will still enjoy watching it.
Jajantaram Mamantaram
(2003)
Needs the right lenses to appreciate
17 March 2021
The low rating this movie has got says it hasn't been seen for what it is. Try seeing it as: 1. A children's film (a dwindling genre); 2. An Indianised fairy tale (a dead genre), and 3. A lovely musical.
It is made by well-meaning people with hearts in the right place. It's underlying message on freedom and human rights has to be perceived and understood. The choreographed dances and songs are top-notch. The dialogues, especially for Jaffrey are intelligently written. And the actor aces this role which is a perfect fit for his personality and talents.
I dare say this will become a cult film in decades to come. Wish there were some young (children) reviewers here to evaluate it.
It is made by well-meaning people with hearts in the right place. It's underlying message on freedom and human rights has to be perceived and understood. The choreographed dances and songs are top-notch. The dialogues, especially for Jaffrey are intelligently written. And the actor aces this role which is a perfect fit for his personality and talents.
I dare say this will become a cult film in decades to come. Wish there were some young (children) reviewers here to evaluate it.
Casting coup
10 January 2021
Despite obvious regional (Gujarati) bias, the series does well in recreating the happenings from 30 years ago in a believable and engrossing way. The actors playing the key protagonists (Mehta and Dalal) are new, but you hardly notice that - they get into the grooves of their characters and live them, both Prateek and Shreya. Especially see a good future for the Shreya as an intelligent actor in future movies. But the rest of the cast (almost) was spot on! The only odd ones were Satish Kaushik and Rajat Kapoor - their established images overpower the characters they are playing. In a docudrama/biopic it's better to get less known actors to prevent this.
What I also liked is that they didn't dilute the financial terminologies to suit a larger audience. It ensures that those with some understanding or interest in capital markets will not find this dumbed down. All in all, an excellent watch.
What I also liked is that they didn't dilute the financial terminologies to suit a larger audience. It ensures that those with some understanding or interest in capital markets will not find this dumbed down. All in all, an excellent watch.
Katiyabaaz
(2013)
Honest documentary-drama well-made
2 December 2020
If you like watching documentaries, or even if you don't, you will thank yourself for deciding to watch this. On the real life story of electricity deprivation, power theft, honest administrator, powerful politician - with real characters, this must be one of the best-made Indian documentary film ever! It contains a number of themes: socio-politico-economical balance, systems thinking, change management, even purpose of life! The city of Kanpur has been shot very ably and provides a perfect backdrop for the rot of civilisation post an economic downturn. A lot of questions this movie generates in your mind... and thankfully doesn't try and answer any of them! For the answers aren't to be found in a movie, but created by us.
A Silent Way
(2012)
An ace director in the making!
14 June 2020
Manju Borah's both films (Ko Yad and Bishankanyar Deshot) - Just Wow! She could become one of the best directors India has produced. Story-telling, aesthetics, naturalness... her movies have it all. The way she has captured the Arunachali mountains and river, the life of the tribals in both places... is nothing less than spectacular. The films are gripping too.
Gulabo Sitabo
(2020)
It grows on you
12 June 2020
GS starts as a light and simple comedy - in about fifteen minutes I was wondering if I should stop watching. But it was worth resisting the urge (Vijay Raaz's entry made me watch further) - as the movie kept adding depth to the characters (esp Mirza's) and intrigue to the story as it progressed. The movie slowly dragged me in - and seamlessly transformed from comedy to satire to tragedy. While Amitabh (as Mirza) gradually got into the role - making you feel for Mirza as the movie progressed, Ayushman's role (Bankey) didn't go anywhere - a wastage of his talent. Surprisingly, it was the two support cast - Vijay Raaz as the scheming govt officer and Shrishti Shrivastava as Bankey's worldly wise sister, Guddo who stood out - both adding much needed sparkle. Shrishti is an actor to watch out for - spunky and natural.
It was a minor personal nostalgia, taking me back 20 years when I spent a few months in the old city of Lucknow during an assignment - though not in a haveli. The Haveli is perhaps the most important character in the film and while you shouldn't be expecting much of the famed Lucknowi tehzeeb on display, the structural visuals are arresting enough.
Don't get your expectations too high and you'd be glad you watched the movie.
It was a minor personal nostalgia, taking me back 20 years when I spent a few months in the old city of Lucknow during an assignment - though not in a haveli. The Haveli is perhaps the most important character in the film and while you shouldn't be expecting much of the famed Lucknowi tehzeeb on display, the structural visuals are arresting enough.
Don't get your expectations too high and you'd be glad you watched the movie.
Right Here, Right Now
(2003)
Gandhi's roots
11 June 2020
Anand Gandhi came to fame with the masterpiece 'Ship of Theseus', but his earlier films show how he got there. RHRN is based on a simple, yet perhaps the most important concept of Karma... it has been executed brilliantly. The speed of the film is well matched by the two quirky songs in post-modernist style. The quirkiness runs right till the 'credits' at the end where you find 'coconut' and 'bag' listed as actors :)
The Mornings of Banaras
(2016)
Excellent
29 May 2020
One of the best documentaries I've watched. Well conceived, narrated, cinematographed, musically ornated. You actually experience Benaras in half an hour. It's descriptive, not prescriptive as spiritual/religious films sometimes tend to be.
Kush
(2013)
A film for humans
24 May 2020
Humans have evolved in many ways, but thee are still some areas where we are worse than animals. When it comes to mob psychology, we out-shame even the rampaging bulls. The movie is made very simple, don't expect cinematic brilliance. But it deserves to be seen and shown - mankind needs it.
Grant St. Shaving Co.
(2010)
Touching short story
19 May 2020
As a double-edged razor user this film meant more to me. But even otherwise its high emotional content would move most. I would put the shaking camera and other technical flaws into context (a first time effort). It's surely worth investing your 15 minutes if you are over 40 and ever loved.
Gaman
(1978)
Everyone's story
16 May 2020
How ironic the movie at a time when immigrants are going back to their villages - not sure they'd reach or...
A movie that moves you. The music deepens the impact. Farooque and Smita were Godsend. Wish Muzaffar Ali has made more than the three films he did.
It's the story of all of us. We can't go back to where we know it's better.
A movie that moves you. The music deepens the impact. Farooque and Smita were Godsend. Wish Muzaffar Ali has made more than the three films he did.
It's the story of all of us. We can't go back to where we know it's better.
Gamak Ghar
(2019)
Very relatable
12 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
For someone whose ancestral home in village went through similar transitions, it was very relatable. And the director's realistic style makes it an universal story. Will look forward to more from Mishra.
Ignore reviews saying it's slow. The pace is just right for what the writer-director wants us to experience.
Ignore reviews saying it's slow. The pace is just right for what the writer-director wants us to experience.
Dance of the Wind
(1997)
Doesn't touch
6 May 2020
A good creation is not just about great thought, but also capable execution. And execution is where DOTW falls short. There's no covering up of poor acting - which is what most of the support cast does. Kitu herself is quite limited, yet convincing. But her dilemma, her tribulations do not touch you the way they could have. A good contrast would be when compared to another film of same era about a musician - 'Saaz' with the thespian Shabana Azmi, DOTW doesn't immerse you in it.
Don't get me wrong. I am a music lover. And if I had to rate the soundtrack I'd rate it 9/10. In fact I heard the entire soundtrack before I saw the movie. I had read the gist of the movie and frankly the movie didn't like upto my imagination when I heard the soundtrack.
Don't get me wrong. I am a music lover. And if I had to rate the soundtrack I'd rate it 9/10. In fact I heard the entire soundtrack before I saw the movie. I had read the gist of the movie and frankly the movie didn't like upto my imagination when I heard the soundtrack.
Pestonjee
(1988)
One of its kind
30 April 2020
Vijaya bai's direction and the acting of the three colossal thespians ensures that you 'live' the movie with the characters. It's impossible that you see the entire movie and remain unchanged. You'd carry Pirojsha, Pesi and Jeroo somewhere within you for a long long time.
Out of a Jam
(2015)
Such stories need to be told, and heard
18 April 2020
A simple documentary about a profound project of a self-sustaining enterprise by rural women. The subject itself is so empowering and energising that it absorbs you in an appreciative mode. The filmmaker disappears completely and I believe it's an achievement too.
Kali Salwaar
(2002)
In Manto's mould
5 April 2020
Don't expect the movie to reach anywhere... its close to 'slice of life'. Watch it instead for the characters, the poetry and the realism. It focuses on a demographic we associate with tough life, but shows how they find their joys and sorrows just like we do ours. Very humane! Sadiya, Surekha, Irrfan... all excel in their roles. And the dilapidated South Mumbai was seldom captured so beautifully.
Aditi Singh
(2007)
A classic love story recreated.
1 April 2020
The film proves love is same irrespective of time or place. In this case, love of a passionate woman for a man with avoidant attachment style. The love affair of a Portuguese poet and his secretary recreated at Mumbai after 90 years in chaste Hindi and is as engaging! The actress Vandita Vasa is fabulous in the 'girl next door' casting. Surprised she hasn't done much work over last 12 years. The male actor couldn't bring the gravitas of Pessoa. If your interest is piqued, google Fernando Pessoa and Ofelia Queiroz.
Bala
(2019)
A genuine movie
15 March 2020
This movie excelled in my eyes at its climax. What a matured end - self-acceptance. This is where the much more popular 'English Vinglish' has failed for me - Shashi Godbole's self esteem came back when she mastered English. Now, that can never happen in reality - if your self-esteem is dependent on others' approval, you will always be short of it. Balmukund's self-esteem on the other hand returned with his self-acceptance.
I am glad such movies are being made now. I have long felt that the current youth is more spontaneous, more genuine and more themselves than the previous generations (including mine) were. And the new breed of movie makers are a whiff of fresh air. And in actors like Ayushman Khurana they have have performers who can live the role life size - no less, no more!
I am glad such movies are being made now. I have long felt that the current youth is more spontaneous, more genuine and more themselves than the previous generations (including mine) were. And the new breed of movie makers are a whiff of fresh air. And in actors like Ayushman Khurana they have have performers who can live the role life size - no less, no more!
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