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Recent Reviews by Sonal Pandya
Times Now, Zoom

Sonal Pandya is the Associate Producer for Times Now and Zoom, and earlier worked at Hindustan Times, and Cinestaan.com as deputy editor. Prior to becoming a film journalist, she worked as a CG artist and digital compositor in the animation industry.

Films reviewed on this Page

Silo S02
Freedom at Midnight
Bad Sisters S02
Vijay 69
Citadel: Honey Bunny
The Diplomat S02
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
Santosh
Girls Will Be Girls
Before

Silo S02
Dystopian Sci-Fi Series With Rebecca Ferguson Deepens Mystery Of Outside World

The popular sci-fi series, created by Graham Yost, returns to expand its story beyond the world of the first season.

Based on the novels of Hugh Howey, the world of Silo easily captivated sci-fi fans when it first premiered in May 2023. The dystopian drama is set in a future where thousands of people have isolated themselves in a giant underground silo to protect themselves from the outside. But what exactly is outside? The gripping new season, led by Rebecca Ferguson, finally takes us beyond the silo we’ve known for the first season.

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Freedom at Midnight
Nikkhil Advani's Faithful Adaptation On Partition Is Respectful And Compelling

Adapted from the book of the same name, the period drama takes viewers behind closed doors to deals and compromises that led to the Partition of India and Pakistan.

One of the most painful and fraught chapters of India’s history is brought to life in the SonyLIV series Freedom at Midnight, created by Nikkhil Advani. With a large ensemble cast of Indian and foreign actors, the series moves forwards and backwards in time to depict what went through the minds of India’s political leaders as they bargained and argued with the British empire for their freedom. Through the seven episodes, the threat of partition looms large, and the tense finale brings with it a melancholic feeling that lingers.

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All 11 reviews of Freedom at Midnight here

Bad Sisters S02
Sharon Hogan Delivers Another Fantastic Instalment Of Irish Dark Comedy

The Garvey sisters are back as they face the consequences of their actions from Season 1 in a terrific follow-up.

The first season of Bad Sisters was adapted from the Belgian show Clan, which only ran for one season. The second season, which begins on November 13, takes the story of five close-knit sisters in a whole new direction. Set in Dublin, writer and actress Sharon Hogan brings the black comedy and forges the show ahead in a surprising and moving direction. Bad Sisters retains the shocking surprises, awkward moments, and dark humour that the first season was known for.

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Vijay 69
Anupam Kher's Slice-Of-Life Sports Drama Is Cheesy But Heartwarming

Writer-director Akshay Roy's story about a senior citizen who wants to add a legendary achievement to his waning years is stirring.

The sports film Vijay 69, starring Anupam Kher, is about a sexagenarian who realises that he’s not achieved much in his life. He decides to become the oldest man to run a triathlon in India, trying to prove all the naysayers wrong. Anupam Kher ably steps to play the cranky senior citizen who finds new meaning with this ambitious goal. While filmmaker Akshay Roy’s is well-meaning and inspiring, it is a bit meandering in its storytelling that veers from full comedy to drama often.

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All 4 reviews of Vijay 69 here

Citadel: Honey Bunny
Varun Dhawan, Samantha's Prequel Spy Saga Packs A Solid Punch

Helmed by director duo Raj and DK, the Indian instalment of the Citadel franchise finds its legs with a strong ending.

Citadel: Honey Bunny is the third series in the Citadel universe. Arriving on the heels of the Italian series Citadel: Diana, the Indian version is a prequel story that links into the main Amazon Prime Video series. Developed by Sita Menon and directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (Raj & DK), Citadel: Honey Bunny has a sluggish start introducing the characters and the Indian connection. However, over six episodes, the series builds on the characters’ connections for a solid finish.

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All 10 reviews of Citadel: Honey Bunny here

The Diplomat S02
Keri Russell's Thrilling Political Drama Constantly Pulls The Rug Out From Under You

Created by Debora Cahn, the political drama set in the UK is just as intriguing in its second season where the diplomatic relations are on the verge of collapsing yet again

The second season of The Diplomat returns with more urgency as the US ambassador to UK, Kate Wyler, tries to uncover who is behind two terrorists attacks on British targets. The political drama is led by the excellent Keri Russell who navigates the exciting twists and turns along with the audience. Debora Cahn’s The Diplomat gives viewers a front seat to an unfolding international crisis, where the stakes have never been higher.

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Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
Magical Disney Series Leans Into Nostalgia, With Help From Selena Gomez

The family series, created by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, revives the Disney franchise first launched in 2007.

If you’ve wondered what happened to the Russos of Waverly Place, Disney’s latest series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place gives you an update on the family. The new sequel and spinoff rolled into one is more focused on Justin Russo (David Henrie), who returns to his old life in magic, thanks to a new student, a young wizard named Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown). Aimed at a young new generation, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is a nostalgic watch that fans of the old series can now introduce to their own children.

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Santosh
Shahana Goswami, Sunita Rajwar Are Compelling In Powerful Police Drama

Director Sandhya Suri's first feature is a searing take on religion, caste, corruption, politics, and more as seen through the eyes of two female police officers.

Documentarian Sandhya Suri’s feature debut, Santosh, revolves around a widow who is trying to find her feet after her husband’s untimely death. The simple narrative evolves into a more complex police procedural that will leave you unsettled by the end of it. Starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar, Santosh had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival this year. It is also the UK’s official Oscar entry for Best International Feature for 2025.

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All 2 reviews of Santosh here

Girls Will Be Girls
Shuchi Talati's Coming-Of-Age Saga Is Awkward And Poignant

Writer-director Shuchi Talati's debut rests on the capable shoulders of her two leads, Kani Kusruti and Preeti Panigrahi, who bring home her affecting screenplay.

Every viewing of Shuchi Talati’s excellent Girls will be Girls, produced by Richa Chadha, will probably elicit a different response. The coming-of-age film focused on a mother and daughter is tender, moving and nuanced. The period story is set around a boarding school where rules and regulations reign supreme. But through them, these women break free, to live a little.

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All 3 reviews of Girls Will Be Girls here

Before
Billy Crystal's Psychological Thriller Is Tedious And Unnecessarily Creepy

Created by Sarah Thorp, the suspense drama features Billy Crystal as a child psychiatrist who helps a young boy with an unnatural connection to his life.

Billy Crystal is known for his roles that show off his comedic range like Harry Met Sally… and City Slickers. With his latest project, Before, the veteran actor is trying out a different side to his talent. He plays a grieving widower who finds purpose treating a young boy named Noah with unprocessed trauma. Written by creator Sarah Thorp, the psychological thriller delves into coincidences, fate and things science can’t explain. The Apple TV+ has a shaky narrative that gets repetitive fast and leaves its big reveal too late.

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