Release Date : 14^th February, 2019

Cast : Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt

Director : Zoya Akhtar

Gully Boy is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language musical drama film inspired by the lives of Indian street rappers Divine and Naezy. The film is a coming-of-age story about an aspiring street rapper from the Dharavi slums of Mumbai. Murad, an underdog, struggles to convey his views on social issues and life through rapping. His life changes drastically when he meets a local rapper, Shrikant alias MC Sher. Even those who don’t necessarily associate with this form of music (rap), will be able appreciate the underdog and heartfelt story. An extraordinary performance by Ranveer Singh, the film is a must watch with amazing music and lyrics.

Release date: 25th January 2019

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Amrita Rao

Director: Abhijit Panse

Run time: 2hrs 19mins

Rating: 3/5

This biopic traces the rise of Bal Keshav Thackeray, as he goes from being a cartoonist, to establishing a new political party for Maharashtrians, the Shiv Sena. The film takes us through the journey of his political life and also gives us a glimpse of his personal story. All of this as Thackeray becomes the most influential political leader in Maharashtra.
The film presents both the applauded and the less appreciated shades of Thackeray’s life and career. Powered by a stellar performance by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, this biopic rises above an inconsistent screenplay, to present an intriguing political career.

The riled up speeches, the unapologetic candour and the larger-than-life persona is presented without a veil. While the honesty is commendable, it comes across that the lead character’s political motivations lack clarity. Perhaps a more seasoned writer could have fleshed out Thackeray’s character and eccentricities a lot better. But its Nawaz’s nonchalant performance that overshadows the flaws and leaves a lasting impact.

Release date: 25th January 2018

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Jisshu Sen Gupta

Directors: Kangana Ranaut, Krish

Rating: 3.5/5

Manikarnika the film kicks off with viewers being introduced to the strong and independent Manikarnika (Kangana Rananut), who is well-versed in archery and sword-fighting. From taming a wild horse, to shooting a tiger from afar, or hop, skip and jumping to her elephant, it seems like she is the champion of stunts. There’s a constant flurry of expository dialogues on how fearless she is; enough to make your head spin.

Manikarnika is married off to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar (Jisshu Sengupta) of Jhansi. He is more than impressed by her fearless behaviour. The Rajmata of the house isn’t, and strongly reprimands her.

Clouds loom over her seemingly-blissful life after her first child dies, and shortly later, her husband. The British officers are eager to capture Jhansi, and don’t accept her adopted son as the heir to the throne. Laxmibai’s fight against the British forms the rest of the story of Manikarnika.

If you’re a Kangana Ranaut fan, Manikarnika is THE film for you. If you remember your history lessons, take Manikarnika with a generous pinch of salt, says our review.

Release Date : 11^th January, 2019

Cast : Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Mohit Raina

Director :  Aditya Dhar

Uri: The Surgical Strike is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language military action film, which is based on the September 2016 retaliation surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army in response to the terror attacks at Uri, the army base camp in Kashmir. Vicky Kaushal plays the role of a dedicated soldier, Vihaan, who is known for his meticulous strategizing and planning in missions. Although a fitting tribute to the Indian Army conceptually, but cinematically, it’s not a film without flaws. It is a decent film for most parts. The first half is far more gripping than the second. Post intermission, the makers themselves seem over-excited, to the point of losing control of the narrative. The line between what’s believable and what’s actually not, becomes blurred.It is a painstakingly directed, brilliantly acted and diligently researched action film which won four National Film Awards, including Best Direction and Best Actor.

Cast : Priyanka Chopra Darshan Kumaar Sunil Thapa

Director : Omung Kumar

Genre : Action/Biography/Drama.

Duration : 122 minutes.

A chronicle of the life of Indian boxer Mary Kom, who went through several hardships before audaciously accomplishing her ultimate dream. A Manipur rice farmer’s daughter charts her own success story as a five-time world amateur boxing champion. She also does India proud when she bags the bronze in the 2012 Summer Olympics. It gained positive reviews from critics. Priyanka Chopra underwent extensive physical training for her roll. The film was a commercial success, grossing ₹1.04 billion at the box office. Mary Kom is also ranked among the highest-grossing Indian films starring a female actor. Mary Kom dutifully charts the course of an unlikely dreamer who succeeds thanks to hard work, determination and a wise-but-gruff coach. The struggles of the boxer are brought to life on screen. Can definitely give it a watch if you’re in need of some motivation. Overall the movie is inspiring and realistic with strong acting. The filmmaker has captured her indefatigable spirit beautifully.

IMBD Rating : 6.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes : 83%

FilmyReel Rating : 3.6/5

Where to Watch : Netflix

Directed by
Reema Kagti

Starring
Akshay Kumar
Mouni Roy

Gold was released in 2018. Inspired by true events and people, of India’s first gold medal win as an independent nation at the 1948 Olympics in London. Tapan Das (Akshay Kumar), the team manager, leads the charge to assemble the country’s first all-Indian hockey team. His aim is to beat the Britishers at their own game, on their own turf.
The emotions run high in the film, as a handful of Indians put their personal differences aside to make the country proud. As we witness India winning its first gold as a free nation, you also see the Pakistani players cheer for Indians playing on the field. Moments like this, make ‘Gold’ a film which is more just a sports drama. This one is surely worth its weight in gold.

Release date: 13th July 2018

Cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Tapsee Pannu, Angad Bedi, Pitobash Tripathi

Director: Shaad Ali Sahgal

Rating: 3.5/5
Soorma, a comeback story of the hockey legend Sandeep Singh(Diljit Dosanjh) that chronicles the life and times of the famed hockey player.

It is an inspirational tale of ace Sandeep Singh, who was accidentally shot in the back during a train journey in 2006. Singh was almost paralysed for a year. Yet, with sheer determination and will, he fought with fate and worked hard to walk again. It didn’t stop there: he led India to victory in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2009 after defeating Malaysia in the finals at Ipoh. He was also the top goal-scorer of the tournament.

Sandeep starts playing hockey at the Shahbad local training center, just to be close to Harpreet(Tapsee Pannu), who is well on her way to make it to the national hockey team. In true Bollywood style, Harpreet falls in love with him, against the coach’s wishes.

Sandeep Singh has been portrayed as a unidimensional sketch who is a trifle monotonous at times. It’s a waste of Dosanjh’s capabilities, though he tries earnestly to breathe life into his character.It has rare convincing moments in the second half, if you have any patience left.

Bollywood continues with it’s relentless spree of sports biopics, and the latest offering is Diljit Dosanjh’s Soorma. The film is unimpressive and slow.