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Abhishek Srivastava

Film Critic

Aspirants Season 3 Review: Life after UPSC makes for a decent, if heavier, chapter for Naveen Kasturia

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Aspirants Season 3 Review: Life after UPSC makes for a decent, if heavier, chapter for Naveen Kasturia

An educational town project puts IAS officer Abhilash Sharma in a tense professional clash with Pawan Kumar. The conflict keeps ‘Aspirants’ Season 3 engaging, even if it lacks the easy charm of the earlier seasons.

The Optimist Review: A reflective and sombre Holocaust drama held together by honest performances

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The Optimist Review: A reflective and sombre Holocaust drama held together by honest performances

A man who survived the Holocaust finally finds the courage to speak about the past he buried for decades. The film may be uneven, but the humanity at its center is hard to shake off.

Timothée Chalamet, Jessie Buckley and the strange drama of awards season

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Timothée Chalamet, Jessie Buckley and the strange drama of awards season

A few off-the-cuff remarks by Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley have unexpectedly stirred debate during the final stretch of awards season. Their comments show how quickly a passing line from an interview can take on a life of its own.

Sankalp Review: Nana Patekar holds the fort in a political drama that struggles to go deeper

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Sankalp Review: Nana Patekar holds the fort in a political drama that struggles to go deeper

‘Sankalp’ moves quickly and keeps the tension alive with steady twists and solid performances. Yet beneath the gripping moments, the story never quite reaches the depth it seems to promise.

War Machine Movie Review: Alan Ritchson leads a rugged, tense tense fight for survival against a deadly machine

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War Machine Movie Review: Alan Ritchson leads a rugged, tense tense fight for survival against a deadly machine

A routine military training mission turns into a deadly survival fight when an alien machine begins hunting a group of soldiers. The film relies on familiar ideas but stays engaging through steady action and Alan Ritchson’s strong presence.

Boong Movie Review: A thoughtful portrait of childhood set against life’s uncertain realities

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Boong Movie Review: A thoughtful portrait of childhood set against life’s uncertain realities

‘Boong’ tells the story of a young boy who sets out to find his missing father, believing it will bring happiness back to his mother’s life. Lakshmipriya Devi’s film observes this journey with patience and finds emotion in small moments.

The Bride! Movie Review: Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale lead an ambitious but uneven monster tale

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The Bride! Movie Review: Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale lead an ambitious but uneven monster tale

‘The Bride!’ tells the story of two unusual beings trying to understand each other in a world that fears them. Even when the film feels uneven, the performances of Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale give it some depth.

Hello Bachhon Review: A simple and moving story behind the rise of Physics Wallah

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Hello Bachhon Review: A simple and moving story behind the rise of Physics Wallah

A warm and simple series that traces the journey of teacher Alakh Pandey and the rise of Physics Wallah. Despite skipping the controversies, it works as an inspiring story about perseverance, values, and the power of teaching.

Jab Khuli Kitaab Movie Review: Love, doubt and memories shape this quiet story anchored by Pankaj Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia

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Jab Khuli Kitaab Movie Review: Love, doubt and memories shape this quiet story anchored by Pankaj Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia

Powered by strong performances from Pankaj Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, the film offers a gentle look at love, hurt, and misunderstandings late in life. Though the story moves slowly and avoids heavy drama, it remains a warm family drama.

Scream 7 Movie Review: Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott holds steady in a film that rarely surprises

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Scream 7 Movie Review: Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott holds steady in a film that rarely surprises

‘Scream 7’ brings Sidney Prescott back into danger, but this time the fear feels more personal than before. It may not surprise at every turn and remains only mildly engaging.

Accused Movie Review: Konkona Sen Sharma shines in a sexual harassment drama that could have been sharper

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Accused Movie Review: Konkona Sen Sharma shines in a sexual harassment drama that could have been sharper

An anonymous complaint turns a respected doctor’s world upside down, testing her truth and her relationship. ‘Accused’ starts with promise, but its calm approach keeps the drama from hitting hard.

Pavane Movie Review: This Korean film is an intimate portrait of loneliness and hope

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Pavane Movie Review: This Korean film is an intimate portrait of loneliness and hope

‘Pavane’ is a quiet and gentle drama about a woman learning to believe she deserves love. It moves slowly, but its emotions feel honest and deeply human.

The Night Agent Season 3 Review: Gabriel Basso steers a tense spy season that’s confident and engaging, even if it doesn’t break new ground

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The Night Agent Season 3 Review: Gabriel Basso steers a tense spy season that’s confident and engaging, even if it doesn’t break new ground

Season 3 raises the political stakes and gives Peter Sutherland tougher moral choices, even if some twists feel predictable. It is tense and well-acted, but not strong enough to stand above other spy dramas.

Assi Movie Review: Riding on Kani Kusruti and Taapsee Pannu’s performances, this Anubhav Sinha film forces you to confront the ugly truth

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Assi Movie Review: Riding on Kani Kusruti and Taapsee Pannu’s performances, this Anubhav Sinha film forces you to confront the ugly truth

‘Assi’ confronts a brutal reality with honesty and restraint, refusing to dilute its impact for comfort. It does not seek sympathy or spectacle; it demands attention, accountability, and quiet introspection from its viewers.

Do Deewane Seher Mein Movie Review: A Mumbai romance where love struggles and the plot circles

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Do Deewane Seher Mein Movie Review: A Mumbai romance where love struggles and the plot circles

'Do Deewane Seher Mein' tries to tell a simple love story but struggles with weak writing and predictable conflicts. The performances are sincere, yet the film never fully engages or leaves an impression.

Shatak Movie Review: A polished AI-CGI tribute to the RSS that skips the hard questions

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Shatak Movie Review: A polished AI-CGI tribute to the RSS that skips the hard questions

‘Shatak’ presents the RSS as disciplined and devoted to nation-building, but it tells the story from only one side. The heavy use of AI and CGI robs the film of warmth and realism, making it feel emotionally distant.

56 Days Review: Where passion meets mystery in a thrilling story that keeps you hooked

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56 Days Review: Where passion meets mystery in a thrilling story that keeps you hooked

‘56 Days’ is a gripping mix of romance and mystery that keeps you guessing from start to finish. Strong performances and a tense storyline make it an engaging watch.

Sirat Movie Review: This film walks the fine line between mystery and reality

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Sirat Movie Review: This film walks the fine line between mystery and reality

‘Sirat’ is a slow, immersive journey through the desert, following a father and son searching for their missing daughter. The film hinges on music, people, and moments, leaving a feeling that stays with you.

Wuthering Heights Movie Review: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi bring fire, but the flame burns uneven

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Wuthering Heights Movie Review: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi bring fire, but the flame burns uneven

A visually strong but emotionally uneven adaptation, ‘Wuthering Heights’ leans more on intensity than depth. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi hold it together, but the film never fully captures the weight of its tragedy.

O’ Romeo Movie Review: Shahid Kapoor shines, but this Vishal Bhardwaj film remains an underwhelming affair

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O’ Romeo Movie Review: Shahid Kapoor shines, but this Vishal Bhardwaj film remains an underwhelming affair

‘O’ Romeo’ is a gory revenge drama that shines mainly because of Shahid Kapoor’s performance. The story drags at times, but quirky moments and action keep it watchable.

Amar Vishwas Season 1 Review: Rajeev Khandelwal keeps this courtroom drama engaging despite its flaws

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Amar Vishwas Season 1 Review: Rajeev Khandelwal keeps this courtroom drama engaging despite its flaws

Amar Vishwas moves fast and stays easy to follow, but its clean, polished look takes away some of the weight a murder story should carry. Strong performances keep it steady, yet once it ends, it fades from memory just as quickly.

Kohrra Season 2 Review: Mona Singh and Barun Sobti power a brooding crime drama thick with guilt and silence

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Kohrra Season 2 Review: Mona Singh and Barun Sobti power a brooding crime drama thick with guilt and silence

‘Kohrra 2’ returns to Punjab with another layered murder mystery, told with restraint and quiet intensity. Grounded performances and rooted storytelling make it a gripping watch without ever chasing spectacle.

Unfamiliar Review: This German spy thriller is sharp, steady, and grounded

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Unfamiliar Review: This German spy thriller is sharp, steady, and grounded

‘Unfamiliar’ keeps its focus on a family trying to survive the consequences of their own past. It is a tense and well-acted spy series, even if the story never fully steps out of familiar ground.

The Strangers: Chapter 3 Movie Review: A horror trilogy that ends on a quiet note

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The Strangers: Chapter 3 Movie Review: A horror trilogy that ends on a quiet note

‘The Strangers Chapter 3’ tries to close Maya’s story, but it never finds the tension or urgency a finale needs. Despite a committed lead performance, the film feels stretched out and leaves little impact.

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