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Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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Reel Take

Writing reigns supreme in HBO’s Succession. Even Emmy-worthy performances come second

Everything is secondary to the sharp and pithy dialogues, which, when coupled with Succession’s masterful plot progression, create magic on screen.

Beau is Afraid a blood-curdling work of art. Joaquin Phoenix elevates horror to new heights

Pogorzelski’s brilliant camerawork ensures you feel every tick in the scenic backdrops Ari Aster’s films are known for, such as Midsommar and Hereditary.

The Little Mermaid’s unoriginality is hard to ignore. You’re better off watching the original

From flowing CG hair to funny aquarium-like reflections, director Rob Marshall’s visual effects lack appeal, impact and seriousness.

Jogira Sara Ra Ra is so confused and tired that even Nawazuddin Siddiqui can’t save it

Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s mellifluous acting helps the movie chug along, which goes from 0 to 100 on the absurdity scale in just 40 minutes.

Jason Momoa steals the show in Fast X while Vin Diesel is stuck preaching about family

John Cena, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham and even Helen Mirren make an appearance in the latest instalment of the Fast and Furious series. But its not enough to save the film.

Netflix’s Kathal turns an absurd fruit robbery into an effective social satire on caste

Kathal and Amazon Prime’s Dahaad have striking similarities — female inspectors dealing with caste politics. But the former takes a satirical approach.

Modern Love Chennai is Tamil OTT’s most exciting offering. It’s a celebration of romance

Helmed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja, the six-part anthology on Amazon Prime Video is inspired by a New York Times column. There are also Mumbai and Hyderabad versions of the show.

Watching Ab Dilli Dur Nahin is a struggle—just like the UPSC exam

The movie doesn’t do justice to how a UPSC aspirant’s life looks like. It doesn’t even offer any kind of comical relief or strong storytelling.

Reema Kagti’s Dahaad is a powerful portrait of caste oppression in small towns

Amazon Prime's Dahaad is made compelling and uncomfortable by its screenplay, written by Reema Kagti, Zoya Akhtar and Ritesh Shah.

Priyanka Chopra’s Love Again is gimmicky, badly written. But it’s an unapologetic rom-com

Celine Dion plays a fairy godmother-esque matchmaker who unites the two lovers played by Chopra and Sam Heughan.

On Camera

More Andhra-style prawn fry for Indian plates? How Naidu’s trying to blunt US tariff hit on aqua exports

Naidu attempts to shield aqua farmers after Trump’s tariff hits the shrimp farming sector in Andhra Pradesh, leading to the cancellation of 50% of the state's exports.

Finnish giant ICEYE to build signature radar microsatellites in India, offers full control to govt

Company builds microsatellites that are smaller, faster, cheaper to produce. ICEYE will develop & launch micro-satellites, hand them over to India, which will have full control & sovereignty.

Something’s hidden in the Oval Office photo of Trump, Munir, Sharif. India must look closely

What Munir has achieved with Trump is a return to normal, ironing out the post-Abbottabad crease. The White House picture gives us insight into how Pakistan survives, occasionally thrives and thinks.