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Archives for August 2026

Batwara 1947 review: Decent Partition saga aimed to please Sunny Deol fans

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Storyline: Batwara 1947 is adapted from Asghar Wajahat’s classic Hindustani play Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya. Sikandar Mirza (Sunny Deol) is a middle-aged businessman from Meerut, living with his wife Hamida (Preity G Zinta), son Javed (Karan Deol) and daughter Tanno (Khhushi Hajare). On the eve of India’s Independence on August 14, 1947, he is delighted to see the country finally getting free from the clutches of the British.

However, Sikandar and his family’s joy is short-lived as communal riots start spreading in different parts of the country, including Meerut. Hence, Muslims are being forced to migrate to the newly-formed Pakistan. Sikandar doesn’t agree with the idea of migrating across the border since he is a true patriot. But as things start getting worse, he and his family are forced to migrate to Lahore, Pakistan via train.

After spending a few months in the refugee camp in Lahore, Sikandar’s family finally gets an accommodation in a large mansion called Durga Niwas. But as soon as they enter the place, they realize that an elderly lady Mai (Shabana Azmi) is already staying in it. She refuses to move out of the house as it belonged to her and her family before the Partition. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Review: The first thing that you notice in Batwara 1947 is Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray’s rich production design that instantly transports you to the bygone era. The recreation of old Lahore is the most striking part about their work.

Batwara 1947

Batwara 1947 is much different than Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya. The character of the old lady is the main protagonist in the play. But the character of Sikandar takes center-stage in the movie. You still somehow are okay with it since the character of Mai is still given a lot of prominence.

But the issue is that the makers have tried very hard to please Sunny Deol’s fans by including a number of fight sequences at regular intervals. Plus, some action scenes are so over-the-top that you wonder how they got approved in a film of this nature. On the other hand, the same character in the play is just like a regular common man.

Having said that, Batwara 1947 also has its moments. It is heartening to see the message of humanity being spread through a story that is quite bold in terms of mainstream Hindi cinema’s standards. The bond between the Mirza family and Mai is quite heartwarming.

But when it comes to boldness, the play does it better with the characters of the poet and the Maulvi. Although both characters are present here, what they preach isn’t as hard-hitting and daring as seen in the play.

However, Batwara 1947 kind of redeems itself in the final moments. The film ends with a powerful message on humanity which is given purely through the use of heartwarming visuals instead of preachy dialogues.

Most of the performances fall in the positive. Sunny Deol does what he knows the best, which is mouthing powerful dialogues and bashing up people. One has to admit that only he could have given justice to a character like this. But Shabana Azmi is the scene-stealer. Her performance as Mai is sure to move hearts. Her portrayal is quite different than what Preeta Mathur did in the play. Preity G Zinta puts up a good act in her comeback role.

Abhimanyu Singh, as the baddie Yakub Khan, is decent. The issue is that his character is one-dimensional. The play sees the character of Sikandar’s daughter become an important reason behind the bonding between the family and Mai. But here, Khhushi Hajare’s character isn’t given much importance. Her act isn’t bad though. Karan Deol struggles to act yet again. This is particularly felt in a scene that is supposed to be heart-wrenching, but he makes it appear flat. Ali Fazal is likeable as the large-hearted poet. But the sub-plot of his love angle wasn’t required.

Overall: Batwara 1947 is a decent Partition drama aimed more towards Sunny Deol fans. The film is largely saved by the climax. It has a chance of appealing more to those who haven’t seen Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Director: Rajkumar Santoshi

Producer: Aamir Khan Productions

Writers: Asghar Wajahat and Rajkumar Santoshi

Cast: Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta, Abhimanyu Singh, Karan Deol, Khhushi Hajare

Also read: Awarapan 2 review: Emraan Hashmi’s smashing comeback is an engaging crime drama

This blog is one of the Top 30 Indian movie blogs on the web as per FeedSpot. See the full list here –https://bloggers.feedspot.com/indian_movie_blogs/

Awarapan 2 review: Emraan Hashmi’s smashing comeback is an engaging crime drama

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Storyline: Awarapan 2 is a continuation of Awarapan (2007). Shivam Pandit (Emraan Hashmi) is miraculously saved despite being shot several times after the end of the first film. The second movie continues years later when he is doing an odd job in a town in Rajasthan. He is still mourning the death of Aaliyah (Shriya Saran), who he dearly loved and regularly visits her grave.

Once during the ritual, Shivam finds an abandoned infant at the graveyard. He hands the girl over to his well-wisher who is running an orphanage. He names the girl Aaliyah. Years later after Aaliyah grows up, a family adopts her. However, it is soon found out that she has been abducted by child traffickers and sent to Bangkok. Shivam is pained after knowing this and decides to visit Bangkok right away to rescue her and other children.

Review: The first Awarapan was more of an emotional affair and had limited action scenes. But the trailer of Awarapan 2 contained only brutal fight scenes. This made one wonder if the film will follow the recent trend of violent action films.

However, Awarapan 2 turns out to be way different from its trailer.

The movie wastes no time in unleashing the nostalgic factor for the fans of Awarapan. If you are one of those who is smitten by the 2007 movie, chances are that you will be glued to Awarapan 2 right from the start. Vishnu Rao’s cinematography is particularly noteworthy during this part.

The screenplay gradually goes onto the crime thriller mode once the story takes the turn and the protagonist goes onto his mission. The film then becomes an out-and-out crime action drama with the nostalgia factor remaining very much there.

The idea of the main hero infiltrating an underworld gang abroad instantly reminds you of the Dhurandhar series. Of course, there have been plenty of films where a good guy becomes a mole in a gang. But since the Ranveer Singh starrer is recent, it instantly pops up in your mind. But thankfully, the common factor ends here.

Although Awarapan 2 has emotions to its core (just like its predecessor), this one is more into the masala action zone, especially in the second half. The film throws in a bunch of new and interesting characters, especially Zorawar (Puran Gabbi), and some twists to keep the interest going.

The only issue here is that in the last 30 minutes, the proceedings become quite filmi with things happening at convenience for the protagonist on a few occasions. This is felt the most when the Buddhist monks arrive out of nowhere. But a couple of whistle-worthy moments in the end turn out to be the saving grace.  

Awarapan 2 is also a rare film in today’s times where almost all the songs appear impressive. Along with the reprised versions of ‘Toh Phir Aao’ and ‘Tera Mera Rishta Purana’, the new tracks too sound impressive.  

Coming to the performances, it’s an Emraan Hashmi show. The actor not only lives up to the expectations of playing Shivam Pandit once again convincingly, he also lights up the scene every time he appears. In fact, he even makes Shivam Pandit’s melancholy appear endearing in a way only he can.

Despite Emraan’s presence, Puran Gabbi makes his presence felt and how! He is convincing and highly confident as the bad beast Zorawar. Shabana Azmi displays her talent yet again, despite limited screen time. Disha Patani fares better than usual. Aniruddh Rawal is also praiseworthy as a man suffering from Autism. Child actor Myrah Shivan gives a fine act. Atul Kumar, Suvinder and Vijayant Kohli provide able support. Shriya Saran’s cameo is appealing and it arrives at an important moment in the film.

Overall: Awarapan 2 is an interesting crime thriller with the right dose of emotions and Emraan Hashmi at his best. Nitin Kakkar succeeds in the difficult test of directing the sequel of a cult film.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Director: Nitin Kakkar

Producers: Vishesh Films

Writers: Vishesh Bhatt, Bilal Siddiqi and Sanjay Masoom (additional dialogues)

Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Puran Gabbi, Disha Patani, Shabana Azmi, Suvinder Vicky, Aniruddh Rawal, Myrah Shivan

Also read: Ikka review: Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna starrer is a one-time watch courtroom drama

This blog is one of the Top 30 Indian movie blogs on the web as per FeedSpot. See the full list here –https://bloggers.feedspot.com/indian_movie_blogs/

Maaran review: Hard-hitting saga on flesh trade and society’s victim-shaming tendency

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Storyline: Maaran, which is a Gujarati film, is based on the illegal business of flesh trade. The story takes place in a fictitious village called Vaadi. Supplying girls is the main business for Ratan (Yash Soni) but he keeps it in the shadows. For the world, he works as a security guard in a posh tower in the city outside the village. Ratan lives with Birwa (Deeksha Joshi), who he had abducted five years ago. The girl’s younger sister Purva (Tarjani Bhadla) has been searching relentlessly for her.

Ratan and Birwa’s life goes through some change when the former’s friend and acquaintance Babu (Shruhad Goswami) abducts Urmi (Prachi Thaker), who turns out to be a tough girl. Meanwhile, Ratan eyes Tara (Druma Mehta), who stays in the tower he works at, as his next target.

Review: Maaran throws light on the horrific social reality of India about lakhs of girls going missing in the last few years after being abducted and taken into flesh trade. The film instantly gets you involved in the murky and dark world of Vaadi in a bold manner.

You do get surprised seeing Birwa live in with Ratan at the start despite being kidnapped by the latter. But this aspect is explained later and it is quite convincing. However, Urmi not being disturbed and traumatized despite being kidnapped recently is difficult to believe.

Maaran Gujarati movie

The film scores while showing a parallel track of a woman even from a wealthy family being in danger of being dragged into the flesh trade. The screenplay finely mixes the various tracks and is brisk in pace.

The only other point of concern is that they could have gone into some details on how this entire illegal business works. This would have made the viewers more familiar with the subject.

The characters of Ratan and Babu are not portrayed as typical negative characters despite them being important cogs in the wheel of the flesh trade. Somehow, some light is thrown on their human side without making them subjects of sympathy.

The large amount of credit for this also goes to Yash Soni and Suhrad Goswami. Yash has an image of a good boy. He sheds that identity here and how! He is thoroughly convincing as the rough and evil Ratan. Suhrad has also derived a divine image of Lord Krishna after Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahayate. He too comes out of it and provides a believable act as a ruffian immersed in flesh trade. But at the same time, both actors also subtly switch over to their human side.

The film also equally belongs to Deeksha Joshi who comes up with an award winning act. Her character goes through various emotions and moods and she fulfils each challenge with ease. She is particularly heart-breaking in the pre-climax and climax. Prachi Thaker suits the character of Urmi. Trajani Bhadla’s performance grows with the film. Druma Mehta is perfectly cast as the sophisticated lady.

The technicalities also rise on the occasion in the form of the cinematography (Pratik Parmar), editing (Omkar Nilange, Harsh Anandani and Devarshi Barot) and music (Aalap-Parth).

But Maaran is much deeper than just a film about a heinous crime against women. It also brings forth the stigma attached to the girls who have been rescued from flesh trade to such an extent that their own families refuse to accept them even after they are rescued. The tag of being ‘impure’ attached to them is a deep result of patriarchy. This victim-blaming and victim-shaming makes you wonder if these families are as guilty as the perpetrators of the flesh trade.

Overall: Maaran is a hard-hitting saga on flesh trade and the society’s tendency to shame the victims.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Director: Abhishek Jain

Producers: CineMan Productions

Writers: Divya Thakore

Cast: Yash Soni, Deeksha Joshi, Shruhad Goswami, Prachi Thaker, Tarjani Bhadla, Druma Mehta

Also read: Ikka review: Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna starrer is a one-time watch courtroom drama

This blog is one of the Top 30 Indian movie blogs on the web as per FeedSpot. See the full list here –https://bloggers.feedspot.com/indian_movie_blogs/

Time River review: Moving tribute to the village folk artistes of Gourbazar

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Music is an integral part of Indian culture. Hence, musicians are spread throughout the length and breadth of the country. A lot of them have become a part of the popular culture after showcasing their art through films, musical performances, reality shows and, in recent times, social media reels.

But there are countless musicians who are excellent practitioners of their respective art but remain unknown to the masses. These are the folk artistes found in plenty of villages in the country. Filmmaker Debjani Banerjee’s documentary Time River is a moving tribute to one such community of folk artistes.  

The film focuses on Uttam Das and other folk and baul singers of Gourbazar village in Paschim Bardhaman district in West Bengal. The film is a glimpse into their world as they peacefully live their lives while practicing their art, mostly based on God and His philosophy.

Time River documentary

Time River doesn’t follow the conventional method of storytelling seen in documentaries where a voiceover narrates the subject along with the use of text. Instead, Banerjee simply uses the audiovisual medium to establish her subject and lets it unfold naturally. The method works very well as one is transported to Gourbazar in the initial few minutes itself. The portrayal of nature plays a major role in it.

Uttam Das and his co-artistes’ narration of their lives and work appears honest and without any pretense. It becomes quite clear that there wasn’t any script and they were made to speak as they wished.

As Uttam Das and others are folk artistes, it was vital for their song performances to be top-notch. The performances are sure to move you even if you don’t understand the language and rely only on subtitles (like this reviewer did).

Time River documentary poster

The film also excels when it comes to the technical aspects like the cinematography (Subal KR), editing (Banerjee and Subal) and sound designing (Dibakar Saha and Archisman Mukherjee).

Time River also subtly touches upon the issue of the village’s natural resources being in danger of being destroyed in the name of ‘development’.

It is not possible to find a major negative point in the film. The only aspect that could also have been covered is how Uttam Das and other folk artistes are managing their lives financially.

Overall: Time River is a moving tribute to the village folk artistes of Gourbazar.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Director: Debjani Banerjee  

Producers: Debjani Banerjee, Subal KR and D Banerjee

Also read: Duet review: Sidhant Gupta excels in this artistic glimpse into a man’s grief-stricken world

This blog is one of the Top 30 Indian movie blogs on the web as per FeedSpot. See the full list here –https://bloggers.feedspot.com/indian_movie_blogs/

Duet review: Sidhant Gupta excels in this artistic glimpse into a man’s grief-stricken world

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Storyline: Duet, which is a short film, is based in the period when the COVID-19 pandemic had just started creating havoc in India. The film is about Mihir (Sidhant Gupta), a musician who stays alone in a spacious apartment in Mumbai. He is going through a period of profound grief as he recently lost his elder brother to the deadly virus. Mihir is trying to complete his musical assignments but is unable to concentrate because of his state of mind.  

Review: Director Sheetal Menon’s film is an artistic glimpse into the grief-stricken world of Mihir. It makes the audience a spectator as the protagonist somehow goes about living his life out of extreme sadness. Without saying much and just through little moments and conversations, the film provides an emotional message of the importance of letting your loved ones know what they mean to you until it’s too late.

Duet short film by Sheetal Menon, starring Sidhant Gupta

There is art written in every frame with even the most random visuals standing out, like a fan slowly moving, curtains fluttering in the slight breeze, etc. Cinematographer Siddharth Srinivasan has a major share here. There are various moments where he has shown his brilliance. Sid Acharya’s music elevates the film with Moinak Bose’s sound designing adding to the effect.

Sidhant Gupta literally lives the film’s message in every frame. He completely surrenders to Mihir’s grief by being at his vulnerable best. Sayani Gupta and Puja Sarup excel in their respective cameos.

Duet, however, appears too long for a film that doesn’t have any conventional story to tell and is nothing more than a glimpse into the world of a grieving man. Perhaps, the film should have ended much before its duration of 37 minutes as it does test your patience at times. This ensures that it becomes not more than a one-time watch.

Overall: Duet is an artistic glimpse into the grief-stricken world of a musician played dedicatedly by Sidhant Gupta.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Director: Sheetal Menon

Producers: Bejoy Nambiar and Sheetal Menon

Writers: Arpita Chatterjee, Sheetal Menon and Neil Balthazar

Cast: Sidhant Gupta, Sayani Gupta and Puja Sarup

Watch Duet on YouTube:

Also read: Ikka review: Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna starrer is a one-time watch courtroom drama

This blog is one of the Top 30 Indian movie blogs on the web as per FeedSpot. See the full list here –https://bloggers.feedspot.com/indian_movie_blogs/