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Sunday, August 17, 2025
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Reel Take

ZEE5’s Marathi ‘zom-com’ Zombivli is no Go Goa Gone or Shaun of the Dead. But it does enough

Zombivli does get caught up in the same progressions—from outbreak to zombie violence—we’ve seen a million times. But it gives a few surprises.

Say ‘no’ to Gray, Amazon miniTV’s film on consent, and move on. It’s lazy stuff

The 30-minute short movie, Gray starring Did Mirza is made with the best of intentions, but it fails to give its characters or ideas any justice.

Kangana Ranaut’s Dhaakad is high-octane action with no fizz. But it has a few surprises

Director Razneesh Ghai has managed to tick off the major ingredients of an action drama. But the script pulls down the talent of its cast.

A one-time watch, Anees Bazmi’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 suffers under shadow of Akshay’s original

While Kartik Aryan gives it his best shot, the film solely rides on Tabu, who slays as Manjulika.

Hilarious, emotional, real — Amazon Prime has raised the bar with Panchayat 2

Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav team up to make Panchayat 2 an absolute treat to watch.

Watch ‘Puzhu’ for Mammootty – an ageing superstar given a script worth his stature

In Ratheena PT’s debut film Puzhu, theatre and mythology come together to show Indians the nuances of caste and class. Without being preachy.

Jayeshbhai Jordaar’s non-macho hero works well. But it’s an old message in new bottle

In a Bollywood of Kabir Singhs, we need more Jayeshbhai Jordaars. But Divyang Thakur’s debut loses track in the pursuit of a happy ending.

Modern Love: Mumbai is all about ‘ishq, mohabbat, pyaar’. But it’s not that ‘modern’

Modern Love: Mumbai's attempt to create a desi version of the US series is worth it. But choosing to not show how Covid changed love is too big a miss.

Saani Kaayidham is an indulgent tale of revenge drama. But its violence feels simplistic

Violence is an essential cog of Amazon Prime Video's Saani Kaayidham — it is the facilitator for the initial conflict, the solution, and redemption.

Thar has Anil-Harshvarrdhan Kapoor star power but what shines is its distinctive art direction

The Kapoors put in serviceable portrayals but are outdone by highly capable character actors like Satish Kaushik and Fatima Sana Sheikh.

On Camera

China wants to create new order in Myanmar. India must switch gears or be dealt out of the game

India’s policy on Myanmar has been to deal with its Generals and maintain a distance from the country’s insurgent groups and political struggles. This will have to change.

Modi’s ‘Diwali bonanza’ for the common man—next-gen GST reforms, lower tax on daily-use items soon

Finance ministry says the proposed revamp will focus on structural reforms, rate rationalisation & ease of living, & will be deliberated upon in the coming weeks.

What is Project Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Modi from ramparts of Red Fort

The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.

War of IAF, PAF doctrines: As Pakistan obsesses over numbers, India embraces risk, wins

Now that both IAF and PAF have made formal claims of having shot down the other’s aircraft in the 87-hour war in May, we can ask a larger question: do such numbers really matter?