Mere Desh Ki Dharti, Review: Suicide or pesticide, you decide You get two films for the price of one when you, or if you, go to see Mere Desh Ki Dharti. Now, if you happen to arrive a little late, after the opening credits, the first half makes you wonder whether you have been ushered into the wrong auditorium of a multiplex, and the film you are watching is not Mere Desh Ki Dharti. On the other hand, if you arrived on time, you must wonder whether the reels have got mixed-up (what an archaic...

Yaaram, Review: Single blues, double whammy and triple talaaq Actor Siddhanth Kapoor, a part-time DJ (disc-jockey), makes his singing debut in Yaaram. The number, titled, ‘Kaash phir se’, is composed by Jeet Gannguli and penned by Kumaar. According to a newspaper report, the actor took a single take to record it, after a mere two days of rehearsals. The song recording is shown as a live studio event while the end credits roll. Credits over, let’s get down to debits and brass...

Daas Dev, Review: Devspeare Talking about the response generated by Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi at the International Film Festival of India, Goa, director Sudhir Mishra had told me that all praise was welcome, but he felt a great sense of fulfillment when internationally acclaimed directors had appreciated his efforts. Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi was liked by a lot of critics as well as a significant number of cineastes. For Sudhir’s sake, I hope that those he holds in esteem see merit in Daa...

Five-film package of Iran in Mumbai Bleeding Heart (Delkhoon) was the first film to be screened in the festival comprising five Iranian films. The festival is being organised by Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mumbai, and the Federation of Film Societies of India, Maharashtra, at Ravindra Mini Theatre, until January 26, 2018. I could not make it to this film but caught up with the second film, Hello Mumbai (Salaam Mumbai), shown on 23rd January. As the name gives away, this is...

Siraj Syed reviews Machine: Misguided Machinations and Mechanical Malfunction Abbas Burmawalla-Mustan Burmawalla are a director-brother duo that gave an early hit to Indian Superstar ShaRukh Khan in the shape of Baazigar (Player/Gambler). Khan, never averse to accepting negative parts, lapped it up in delight, and a hit ensued. All those who cried foul, that the film was plagiarised from A Kiss before Dying, were mere spectators as the film, and its dizzy, snazzy sound-track jingled at the bo...