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Recent Reviews by Manoj Kumar
OTT Play, HT Media

Manoj Kumar R, a seasoned film writer, began in digital journalism in 2010. He honed his skills at Deccan Herald, The Week, and The Indian Express, focusing on the South Indian film industry. Proficient in four South Indian languages, Manoj delves deep into regional cinema with insightful coverage. In 2023, he joined OTTplay.

Films reviewed on this Page

Amaran
Lucky Baskhar
Bougainvillea
Vettaiyan

Amaran
Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi anchor a fine movie on Indian Army

Amaran brings to life the heroic story of Major Mukund Varadarajan, an officer of the Indian Army who sacrificed his life during a crucial anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014.

Amaran is based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan, who died during an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014. Biopics like this come with a unique challenge: since audiences already know the outcome, there’s little room for surprises. Directors often leverage the emotional depth of such stories to create resonance, sometimes stirring complex emotions or evoking our deepest fears. Filmmaker Rajkumar Periasamy, as expected, focuses on these emotional elements, ultimately leaving the audience with a deeper understanding of the human conflict hidden beneath layers of turmoil.

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Read all 6 reviews of Amaran here

Lucky Baskhar
Dulquer Salmaan elevates a solid, safe take on ambition

Lucky Baskhar follows the story of Baskhar Kumar (Dulquer Salmaan), a diligent bank employee in late 1980s Mumbai who embraces a morally ambiguous path to gain financial security.

While promoting his latest movie, Lucky Baskhar, director Venky Atluri claimed that one of his biggest strengths is his talent in screenwriting. However, those closely following his filmography would tell you that his ability to assemble a stellar cast is his greatest asset. He once again showcases this strength with Lucky Baskhar.

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Read all 3 reviews of Lucky Baskhar here

Bougainvillea
Amal Neerad's film has flaws and a gut-wrenching twist

Bougainvillea tells the story of Reethu Thomas, an amnesiac woman whose fractured memory places her at the centre of a high-stakes investigation.

Director Amal Neerad’s latest movie Bougainvillea is a slow-burning thriller that offers more strengths than weaknesses in its entertainment value. Set against the backdrop of an unreliable memory, the film borrows elements from classics like Memento and The Usual Suspects, while crafting a uniquely Malayalam narrative.

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Read all 5 reviews of Bougainvillea here

Vettaiyan
This Rajinikanth movie lacks emotional punch, a strong villain

Vettaiyan tells the story of a celebrated cop, known for encounter killings, who strives to correct a grave error in his judgment.

Vettaiyan brings together two cinematic legends—Rajinikanth as Athiyan, a top cop delivering swift justice, and Amitabh Bachchan as Justice Sathyadev Bramhadutt Pande, who questions the very foundation of that justice. Director TJ Gnanavel sets up a thought-provoking premise that wrestles with themes of morality, justice, and redemption, but unfortunately, the film struggles to deliver a compelling narrative.

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Read all 6 reviews of Vettaiyan here