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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

Vijay 69
Citadel: Honey Bunny
The Diplomat S02
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
Santosh
Girls Will Be Girls
Before
Do Patti
Paris Has Fallen
Shrinking S02

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 5 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 12 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 10 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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Do Patti
Kajol, Kriti Sanon Headline Weak Thriller Revolving Around Twin Sisters

The Hindi thriller, directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi, features a police officer who stumbles upon a complicated triangle of twin sisters who are complete opposites.do-patt

Both Kajol and Kriti Sanon embark on a couple of firsts in Shashanka Chaturvedi’s directorial debut Do Patti. Written by Kanika Dhillon, the Hindi film sees Kajol as tough-on crime police officer and Kriti takes on a double role as twin sisters. The Netflix suspense drama relies on a couple of red herrings eventually emerging as a wobbly thriller with a message.

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All 18 reviews of Do Patti here

Paris Has Fallen
Spinoff Series Of Absorbing Action Film Franchise Has Formidable Antagonist

The small screen version of the Has Fallen franchise is off to an intriguing start with a daunting villain.

Paris Has Fallen is the first in the franchise that won’t feature Gerard Butler’s Secret Service agent Mike Banning. The actor will continue on with the character in the films; however, this spinoff series forges its own identity with new protagonists and a deadly plot in this European adventure. With only the first two episodes premiering so far, Paris Has Fallen has set up an interesting scenario in which the villain has had the upper hand; it remains to be seen how and when the ‘fall’ will come.

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Shrinking S02
Jason Segel, Harrison Ford's Optimistic Comedy About Flawed Therapists Charms Again

From the makers of Ted Lasso, the comedy series starring Jason Segel returns to find its characters grappling with life's issues head-on.

Created by Bill Lawrence, star Jason Segel and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking focuses on a grieving therapist who decides to change his approach with his patients. Becoming more proactive, he becomes more involved in the lives of those around, both to his detriment and betterment. The second season of Shrinking charms with its loveable, goofball characters and some unexpected new faces.

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