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Friday, August 15, 2025
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Reel Take

The Godfather at 50: The mob saga that raised the bar for gangster films

The film revolutionised the portrayal of organised crime by conflating it with something all audiences can relate to: family.

In Shaad Ali’s Bloody Brothers, everyone has a skeleton in their closet. But there’s a big flaw

In all six episodes of the light-hearted comedy thriller, there is no ‘action’, no gunshot and definitely no men flying here and there.

Not a cop-out — Dulquer Salmaan’s film ‘Salute’ shows breach of ethics in police force

The problem with Dulquer Salmaan’s crime thriller Salute is that it only places the blame on the ‘system’.

Loose plot, tight acting: In Amazon Prime’s Jalsa, Shefali Shah outshines Vidya Balan

Jalsa's a nail-biter as it approaches its climax. By the end of the film, you'll find yourself sitting at the corner of your seat with goosebumps.

The Kashmir Files tries showing 1990 exodus ‘truth’ but Vivek Agnihotri gives it death blow

It could have been a stunning tribute to the Kashmiri Pandits' cause, but Agnihotri’s personal opinions tank the film's credibility.

Maaran has a script so wobbly even Dhanush can’t save it

The best scenes in this over two-hour-long film are some of the interactions between Smruthi Venkat and Dhanush.

Hotstar’s Rudra is tailored to fit Ajay Devgn’s persona. But its villains steal the show

Devgn's portrayal of an ‘unconventional’ cop is at its intense best in Hotstar's Rudra. It adds to his role in Singham, Sunday, Insaan and Gangajal.

Baghjan Reels — a stirring documentary on the victims of India’s longest oil well fire

The oil leak in Assam's Baghjan didn't capture media attention as the Vizag incident. But the 34-minute-long documentary is a grave reminder of its cost.

Robert Pattinson is the best Batman and finally shows Sherlock Holmes side of the superhero

In The Batman, Reeves delivers a thriller that stands on its feet devoid of the ‘superhero’ genre, and a Batman rooted in realism.

Ambedkar, Bachchan, caste, sport — Nagraj Manjule’s ‘Jhund’ says a lot by saying nothing at all

Digital India, caste privilege, and Babasaheb Ambedkar — there isn’t a single frame in Jhund that does not have a meaning or purpose.

On Camera

Trump is swinging on Russia again. What this means for Europe’s security architecture

The dynamics between Europe and Russia have gone so south that mending fences looks like an uphill task—even as the US swings between sanctions and olive branches.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

President awards 1st set of Sarvottam Yudh Seva medals since Kargil, 7 honoured for leading Op Sindoor

This year, the Indian Air Force received four of the seven awards, followed by the Indian Army with two medals, and the Indian Navy with one. 

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.