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Recent Reviews by Srivathsan Nadadhur
Independent Film Critic

Srivathsan Nadadhur is a senior entertainment journalist with over 11 years of media experience who writes about movies, literature, culture, and lifestyle and has contributed to The Hindu, Times of India, Deccan Herald, The News Minute and Film Companion in the past.

Films reviewed on this Page

Freedom at Midnight
Half Love Half Arranged S02
Khwaabon Ka Jhamela
Citadel: Honey Bunny
Ka
Aindhaam Vedham
The Miranda Brothers
The Legend of Hanuman S05
Do Patti
Hellbound S02

Freedom at Midnight (written for Binged)
A Sensitive, Well-crafted Show On The Politics Around Partition

After years of struggle, the idea of an independent India doesn’t seem a distant dream. The British looks ready to hand over the reins to the country by 1946, but at what cost? Nehru is at odds with Gandhi’s ideals and the interests of the Congress party, while Patel prefers to be the bad cop. A bitter and ailing Jinnah is desperate for the formation of Pakistan. Who has the last laugh?

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All 11 reviews of Freedom at Midnight here

Half Love Half Arranged S02 (written for Binged)
A Superficial Yet Tolerable Rom-com

Riya’s household has a new guest – Ved, son of her father’s close friend Dinesh. As the family gradually adapts to his presence at the house, Riya is desperate to stabilise her relationship with the divorcee Jogi. She finds a new friend in Ved, also her secret admirer. Meanwhile, aunt Rajjo is all set to enter wedlock with a neighbour but Riya is as confused as ever about her relationships.

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Khwaabon Ka Jhamela (written for Binged)
A Breezy, Lightweight Urban Rom-Com

After a messy breakup with his girlfriend Shehnaaz, Zubin moves to London for a holiday and bumps into Ruby, an intimacy expert on film sets. Realising Zubin’s love life is in disarray, she decides to help him out and even lets him stay in her room. He, in turn, restores the balance in Ruby’s financially insecure existence. Zubin, Ruby and her roommate Quinn forge an unlikely friendship over a week. Prateik Babbar is maturing like fine wine. He’s an apt choice for the role and one senses he’s similar to Zubin in more ways than one – just that he’s figuring himself in front of the camera. Sayani Gupta is equally convincing as Ruby, her characterisation is one of the film’s major strengths. Kubbra Sait is a natural, though one would’ve liked to see her role fleshed out more convincingly.

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Citadel: Honey Bunny (written for M9 News)
Raj-DK’s Average Action Thriller

In the early 90s, a stuntman Bunny brings an aspirant actress Honey on board for a side gig, only to be sucked into a world of high-stakes action, espionage and betrayal.

Many years later, Bunny and Honey have a daughter – Nadia – but are no longer together. However, they must look beyond their differences to guard their daughter against rival forces. What connects them to Vishwa, Citadel and an Armada? Performances There’s little to complain about the performances from the star-studded lineup. Samantha, continuing from where she left off in The Family Man, packs a punch with the action sequences and showcases restraint while handling Honey’s conflicting situations and emotions. She has the right style and body language to be an action star and makes the most of the opportunity.

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All 10 reviews of Citadel: Honey Bunny here

Ka
Kiran Abbavaram’s ‘karmic’ thriller packs a handful of surprises

Overcoming a fluttering second hour, Kiran Abbavaram’s Telugu film ‘KA’ concludes on a high

Comebacks are always interesting, especially when an actor is willing to look back and understand what went wrong in the first place. After a series of misfires, a resurgent Kiran Abbavaram is back with a festive release, mysteriously titled KA, that invests in a solid story over the heroics of the male protagonist. The period thriller offers a rich blend of action and emotions with a karmic twist.

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Aindhaam Vedham
Naga’s Mystical Thriller Is Ridiculously Stale And Dated

Anu heads to Varanasi to immerse her mother’s ashes in Ganga. During the trip, she meets a sage, who hands over an ancient relic to her and dies under mysterious circumstances. Though Anu is instructed to give it to a temple priest in a village, she is reluctant to take the initiative. What connects her to the relic, an ancient temple and the fifth veda?

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The Miranda Brothers
Sanjay Gupta’s Sibling Saga Is An Ultimate Snooze-Fest

Julio, the son of a single parent Susan Miranda, requests his mother to adopt an infant who’s left stranded on the streets. Braving past several financial challenges, Susain raises Julio and Regalo, who are extremely fond of one another. As adults, they hope to make a career in football. However, when a personal setback tests their equation, Regalo has a tough choice to make.

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All 2 reviews of The Miranda Brothers here

The Legend of Hanuman S05
A worthy, lively peek into an epic from a new tangent

With Indrajith no longer around and Ravan drowning in sadness, Ahiravan wreaks havoc on the Lankan dynasty. Hanuman is surprised to realise he has a son – Makardhwaja, who opposes him initially but makes amends later. He also finds unexpected support from Ravan’s former aide Harshasringa in his quest to free Ram and Laxman from Ahiravan. Who has the last laugh?

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Do Patti
Kriti Sanon, Kajol Shine In A Deceptive Yet Uneven Thriller

Shailee and Saumya are twin sisters who lose their mom early in life. Ever since, they don’t get on well with one another and Shailee is soon shifted to a boarding school. Many years later, Saumya falls for Dhruv, an adventure sports enthusiast and son of a politician. Shailee, unexpectedly, returns to her home town and tries to be the party pooper in their relationship. Where’s the tale headed?

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All 17 reviews of Do Patti here

Hellbound S02
The Hit Korean Thriller Has a Decent Round-Two

The Hit Korean Thriller Has a Decent Round-Two

After his tryst with hell for many years, Jung Jinsu, the brain behind the New Truth, is back and recognises the growing prominence of the Arrowhead in the society. Jinsu realises he may not be the only one to be resurrected back to the land of the living. Does resurrection eventually mean damnation or will it pave the path to true salvation?

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