KOHRRA (PUNJABI) (2023)

Set in a small town in Punjab, Kohrra (Mist), a six part web series,  is, at its surface level, a slow burn investigation into the mysterious murder of a young NRI man shortly before his marriage.

What makes it exceptional is the way it constructs its universe of characters - all flawed in some measure - and succeeds in taking a deep dive into their lives scarred with deep-seated traumatic episodes and struggles set against the wider landscape of today's Punjab with its issues like addiction, feudal and patriarchal society, and much more.

The emotions are affective even as the mystery builds on the viewers - engrossing us like a winter's mist that shrouds an entire city, gradually in the beginning and building steadily to engulf it entirely.

Excellent casting who deliver in aces and fine writing which builds in several layers make this one of the best series in recent times.

A MUST WATCH !

RATING - 4/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix

DAHAAD (HINDI) - Season 1

A police investigative thriller, set in a small town of Rajasthan, follows the journey of a bunch of cops on the trail of a serial killer who preys on desperate women.

Gripping for the most part, this 8-part series has sincere performances from a stellar cast headlined by a feisty Sonakshi Sinha and chilling Vijay Verma who are supported ably by Gulshan Devaiah, Sohum Shah and others.

Series creators Reema Kagti and Zoya Akthar who had earlier collaborated on Talaash have delivered a solid thriller that is firmly grounded in the small-town landscape. They have layered the narrative with seamlessly woven strands of a searing commentary on the oppressions based on caste and gender into the narrative. My major grouse was on their failure to amp up the final act.

WORTH A WATCH !

RATING - 3.5/5

Streaming on Amazon Prime

SINNERS (ENGLISH) (2025)

Michael Jordan plays twins (Smoke & Stack) returning to their rural Mississippi home after making a minor fortune in Chicago. They purchase an abandoned factory and convert it into a juke club for their fellow coloured folks. What begins as night of revelry with mind-blowing music and more soon descends into madness as few bloodthirsty vampires come calling to the party as uninsured guests. 

Director Ryan Coogler (Creed & Black Panther movies) creates a layered narrative blending visual splendour, delicious groovy blues music, stellar cast, themes of blacks-ploitation, crime and vampire action in this blockbuster entertainer.

AN ENGROSSING ENTERTAINER !

RATING - 3.5/5

TOURIST FAMILY (TAMIL) (2025)

A Sri Lankan Tamil family of four flee the financial crisis of the island nation's failing economy looking for greener pastures across the Palk Strait. They manage to slip through the border patrols and reach a Chennai colony to make a living while covering their tracks of being identified as illegal immigrants. 

Can they find a safe abode and survive in a colony filled with families who appear strangers to one another despite living in close quarters for several years..? 

Movies about refugees generally fall into a tired and often torturous template of heightened melodrama that magnifies the suffering of the lot - both in the homeland that they escape and the new-found homes in the alien shores where they try to fit into.

Debutant director Abhishan Jeevinth steers clear of this traditional narrative structure and presents the plight of this family with a rare and refreshing light touch that radiates a feel-good vibe in almost every frame. 

He strikes a brilliant balance between effusive comedy that keeps the flow light and sharply written drama that avoids the pitfalls of being preachy or pandering to popular notions on this emotional issue. 

Sasikumar and Simran along with the two debutant actors playing their sons as well as an ensemble cast of noted character artists provide a lived-in feel while composer Sean Roldan peppers the narrative with some warm heartfelt numbers that sound just apt.

A WHOLESOME ENTERTAINER !

RATING - 4/5

KA (TELUGU) (2024)

Set in the 70s in a quaint and remote village, the story kicks off with Vasudev, the village postman getting abducted by masked men to an unknown location. He is interrogated about his past using a machine that has hypnotizing powers. Apparently, Vasudev has been secretly reading letters addressed to others which has unexpected consequences.

Who are these masked men who seem to have no connection to the village ..? What is their interest in Vasudev..?

Debutant director duo - brothers Sujith and Sandeep - have crafted a unique thriller that builds gradually on its simple setting to culminate in an ending that is unexpected and exceptional.

Not saying much else, lest I might tread into spoiler territory.

AN ENGROSSING WATCH !

RATING - 3/5

PS - Streaming on Amazon Prime

L2 - EMPURAAN (MALYALAM) (2025)

As a sequel to a blockbuster, this is definitely grander - perhaps, twice as larger in scale - spanning several locations across multiple continents much like a Bond or Bourne movie, even as it builds on the basic narrative arc set in the politics of God's own country.

One can decipher multiple influences from home and abroad, as in the action set pieces - inspired from the universe of Prashant Neel or Telugu / Tamil flicks with generous dose of blood as well as Hollywood-esque heavy duty armaments with mighty explosions. All these elements are assembled to serve a reasonably coherent narrative arc with occasional goosebumps moments for the fans.

Mohanlal shines through as the titular dark angel as he looms over the entire film casting an oversized shadow on every frame. The rest of the ensemble cast including Manju Warrier, Tovino and others put in their best despite their limited character arcs.

Prithviraj continues to make his mark as a director as he handles the scale hitherto unseen in Malayalam movies. He delivers a pretty good masala flick which does not bore you despite its three hour long runtime.

Alas, bigger is not synonymous to better and the grander scale does not deliver the emotional beats of the first installment. Nevertheless, this is a commendable sequel that sets the tone for a fitting finale to cap the trilogy.

A SPECTACLE MOVIE (best enjoyed on a BIG screen) !

RATING - 3/5

NARAYANEENTE MOONNAANMAKKAL (MALAYALAM) (2025)

Three estranged brothers reunite with their families after decades in their ancestral home as their mother is drawing her final breaths. Beneath the courteous efforts to forge forgotten connections, unforgotten and unforgiven tensions from the past simmer. Could the siblings succeed in overcoming their differences..? How does the gen-next of the family, in their impressionable years and meeting for the first time connect..?

This is a movie that manages to achieve a difficult balancing act of being subtle and sensitive to the subjects being depicted without being judgmental on any of the characters who are all flawed at some level, as humans tend to be.

Director Sharan Venugopal displays remarkable restraint throughout as he skillfully steers his narrative away from the usual desi pitfalls of getting lewd (exploitative or exposing to titillate) or loud (melodramatic or emotionally manipulative). This is no small achievement in itself and to achieve all this within a crisp running time of less than two hours is a mark of his brilliance.

While the two young leads playing next generation of the family (especially, Garggi Ananthan, playing Athira) are perfectly cast for their respective roles, the seniors - Joju, Suraj & Lopez - are excellent too, carrying all their shades without hitting a wrong note.

The music by Rahul Raj - songs as well as the score - is another highlight.

Overall, it is yet another lovely addition to the ever-growing pantheon of Malayalam cinema that continues to excel in exploring the oft-overlooked dimensions of our collective human coexistence.

A SUBTLE & SENSITIVE MASTERPIECE !

RATING - 4/5