Kamal Haasan has finally arrived on the big screens with his much-awaited movie, Indian 2 directed by Shankar. The film marks the second installment in the Indian film series, serving as the sequel to the 1996 cult classic Indian.
Besides Ulaganayagan in the lead role, the movie also has actors Siddharth, S. J. Suryah, Rakul Preet Singh, Bobby Simha, Vivek, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Gulshan Grover, and many more in key roles. Additionally, the film also has Anirudh Ravichander helming the musical tracks and scores with certain scores by AR Rahman from the first part to be reused.
If you are planning to watch the Kamal Haasan movie in theaters near you, check out the Pinkvilla movie review of Indian 2 before you go!
The Plot of Indian 2
The story of Indian 2 starts in modern-day India where the people and society have once again dwindled down to their corrupt practices, creating a distress-filled land for the common people. Focusing on a group of youngsters who run a YouTube channel called Barking Dogs, the film showcases how the youth want to make India a better place.
However, despite having been effective with their voices and generating immense following on social media platforms, corruption only continues to rise. Now, going on the whims of their intuition, the group decides to start a trend on social networks, with “#ComeBackIndian.”
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The rest of the film focuses on how Indian returns to his vigilante activities but this time issuing a two-track mission called Zero Tolerance.
The Good
Indian 2 features a high concept and a pan-Indian level threat that must be thwarted by Senapathy aka Indian with his vigilante methods and adept skills. The film’s biggest takeaway is seeing Kamal Haasan once again donning the iconic role and teaching everybody a lesson with his martial arts skill called Varma Kalai.
Besides Haasan, the only actor who managed to stand out as impressive and noteworthy was Siddharth who managed to be a saving grace in various instances. Coming to the story’s perspective, Indian 2 grasps onto openly abash modern-day social issues that are evident in various sectors of the country, even today.
Many instances that were used in the film were either inspirations of real-life tales we have heard from newspapers. This is where the comprehensive story manages to connect with the audience, making its way into a more technologically driven section of society.
The reflection on the ways of corruption creeping into various sectors was intricately crafted with us wanting to root for Indian and hope that one day the nation is rid of such heinous practices. Moreover, the films also featured the hypocritical nature of human beings in a day-to-day manner and how mob psychology kicks in whenever they suit it useful for themselves.
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Moving ahead, the technical aspects of the film that served brilliantly in the movie were the grand visuals, production design, VFX, and the editing of the film. Despite having a dragged-out screenplay, the technicians like cinematographers Ravi Varman and R. Rathnavelu, editor Sreekar Prasad, and production designer T. Muthuraj.
Moreover, the songs and background scores by Anirudh Ravichander were thrilling and emotional in places. However, the themes by AR Rahman reused from the first installment stood out more prominently, making us nostalgic for the impact the former has on everyone.
The Bad
Indian 2 despite having a magnificent concept and huge star cast, falters in its ways due to a half-baked and outdated style of narration by Shankar. The ace director did not manage to capitalize on the vigilante trope and establish a well-rounded connection with the audience.
Even though the film started off in an exciting manner with the set-up for Indian’s arrival being more and more grander, the first half saw some sheepishly crafted sequences that only extended the viewing time and not the story, leaving our patience being tested.
In the second half, which is conveniently better out of the two halves, the movie still did not manage to create a euphoric feel towards the story or the lead character. The film also leaves several questions unanswered which may or may not be addressed in the third installment.
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Moreover, the cat-and-mouse chase between Senapathy and the CBI still leaves behind a distasteful effect. What makes the film more annoying are the haphazard and amateurish dialogues. They do not even come close to the prominence of the first installment, written by the late Sujatha.
The half-baked screenplay of the movie would have been saved if only it wasn’t decided as a two-parter. Besides, the whole movie simply remains the catalyst that bridges the first and the third movie together.
The Performance
Kamal Haasan is undoubtedly the saving grace of the entire film. The movie strongly benefits from Ulaganayagan’s image from the first half itself. On the other hand, Siddharth played the role of Chitra Aravindan, the person who was the admin of the creative work.
However, no other actors including Rakul Preet Singh and SJ Surayah managed to exhibit their prominence in the film. Moreover, the movie also had actors Piyush Mishra and Gulshan Grover in minor roles, making us question their significance.
Despite all the other actors doing their best bid for the film, actress Priya Bhavani Shankar did not manage to appeal with her portrayal in the movie due to her stoic performance.
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The Verdict
Kamala Haasan starrer Indian 2 is still an entertaining film that suffers from quite some pros and cons. The film trying to appeal to a younger audience seems to do random things for the sake of being meta. However, the true essence of the movie still has the potential to be uncovered, especially with the next installment.
Moreover, director Shankar’s use of vigilantism and the two-sided nature people have towards such heroes is commendable. In short, the film is a good watch for those who love socially just movies and is also essential for the direct sequel that also presents a historic origin for Senapathy.
PS. Those who decide to watch the film in theaters near you should stick around after the credits to see the trailer of Indian 3: War Mode, set to release in 2025.
Check out the trailer of Indian 2:
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Comment down what you felt about Kamal Haasan starrer Indian 2, directed by Shankar.
Harold and the Purple Crayon, based on the book series of the same name, isn’t terribly impressive or imaginative. But it is a great first movie for young children.
Harold and the Purple Crayon, the new film, isn’t terribly impressive or imaginative as its title character. But it is a harmless story that will delight young children, and its the rare title that would make for a great first visit to the movies.
There are dozens of modern children’s films that are cheap, crass and annoying. Harold’s best quality is that despite its simplicity, the story and its presentation is wholesome and appropriately exciting for its target market.
Inspired by the now 70-year-old picture book series of the same name by Crockett Johnson, this (mostly) live interpretation of the book series a now adult Harold (Zachary Levi) jump out of the picture books and into the real world in a quest to find the author and meet the man who first drew him.
This doesn’t follow any specific plot from any of Johnson’s barely plotted books, but it is an interesting premise for a G-rated, 80-minute, big screen adventure. It also provides some morality and wisdom to justify a sufficient enough story to justify Harold’s leap into reality.
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Cute and cuddly is the best way to describe Harold’s antics with his friends and new child he’s inspiring named Mel (a warm debut from Benjamin Bottani). The danger is never really dangerous, but the effects (and especially the crayon drawing!) are passable for a movie of this scale.
This film is the live action debut of former Blue Sky Animation director Carlos Saldanha, and his whimsy makes Harold a suitable project. He’s best known for the Rio franchise and 2017’s career high Ferdinand. A highlight here is the film’s hand-drawn animated prologue, where Saldanha’s animation experience gets to shine.
Much of the supporting cast delivers its weird, magic crayon premise with gusto, with sometimes surprisingly funny turns from Lil Rel Howery and Jermaine Clement. The scene stealer, however, is English theatre vet Tanya Reynolds as Porcupine, who’s fully committed, sweet, honest and hilarious across every scene she’s in.
Adults should be warned while Harold is warm, forgettable fun for those aged 4-10, the plot is shamelessly predictable and obvious. It’s still far more palatable than other recent family films, such as the recent Despicable Me 4.
I really enjoyed hearing the giggles and seeing the wide-eyed wonder of a Kindergarten aged audience member seated near me watching Harold and the Purple Crayon. That optimistic imagination is exactly the spirit to see the movie with, even if there’s nothing else on the page.
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Harold and the Purple Crayon
5 out of 10
Rated G, 1hr 30mins. Family Fantasy Comedy.
Directed by Carlos Saldanha.
Starring Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel, Benjamin Bottani, Lil Rel Howery, Tanya Reynolds and Jermaine Clement.
Trap was a solid tension based movie that kept you guessing right up until the end. Josh Hartnett did an outstanding job with his role. He would bounce from the perfect father figure to a scheming serial killer called, The Butcher. This role needed a strong actor to portray the many different personalities that were tightly wound around each other.
M. Night Shyamalan is hands down my favorite director in the industry. I love how his movies always make you pay attention. You just know there is going to be something you get wrong and by the end of the movie you figure out you were totally wrong about everything. He’s really good at that. With Trap though, it wasn’t as secretive to me as, let’s say, The 6th Sense. If you don’t go in thinking that it will be a total mind bender, you’ll enjoy it more. I don’t think you’ll over think this one. It’s still very good, just not quite as good as his other movies.
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The RunPee app tells you the best times to run & pee during a movie so you don’t miss the best scenes.
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This would be a great date night movie. It’ll give you something to talk about and dissect over a nice dinner. Enjoy!
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Grade: B
About The Peetimes:There are 2 great Peetimes to choose from. The 1st Peetime is longer in case you need more time.
There are extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Trap.
Rated:
(PG-13) Brief Strong Language | Some Violent Content
Genres:
Crime, Horror, Mystery
Starring:
Josh Hartnett, Hayley Mills, Alison Pill
Director:
M. Night Shyamalan
Writer(s):
M. Night Shyamalan
Language:
English
Country:
United Kingdom, Yemen, United States
Plot A father and his teen daughter attend a pop concert only to realize they’ve entered the center of a dark and sinister event.
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It is 1960 in America and an impossibly young John F. Kennedy is campaigning for president. Alice (Jessica Chastain) and Celine (Anne Hathaway) are neighbours and best friends. Their husbands, Simon (Anders Danielsen Lie) and Damian (Josh Charles), are doing well at work and their young sons, Theo (Eamon O’Connell) and Max (Baylen D. Bielitz), are friends too, in and out of each other’s houses.
The film opens with Alice throwing a surprise party for Celine. There are discussions of how Kennedy is too young to be running for president and during cocktails, when Simon makes a joke of the Kennedys expecting on the campaign trail, there is awkwardness as Celine and Damian have had difficulties conceiving.
We learn that Alice was a star reporter at the local newspaper and though Simon does not wish it, Alice is chaffing to go back to work. Like all Stepford scenarios, all is not well in this suburban Eden. Alice is shown to be anxious about Theo, who she hovers over constantly. Celine is the more fun mum entering into the spirit of the boys’ games. Theo’s Granny Jean (Caroline Lagerfelt) with her magic tricks is a great favourite of the boys.
Mothers’ Instinct (Hindi)
Director: Benoît Delhomme
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Josh Charles, Anders Danielsen Lie
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Run-time: 94 minutes
Storyline: Neighbours who are best friends turn upon each other following a tragedy
A tragedy drives the friends apart as jealousy, grief and paranoia colour all interactions. There are unreliable narrators galore and skewed perspectives where anyone can be victim or perpetrator. Each tearful rapprochement could be taken at face value or could be the first step to further machinations.
Based on Barbara Abel’s 2012 novel and Olivier Masset-Depasse’s multiple award-winning Belgian-French film Duelles (2018), Mothers’ Instinct is beautiful looking. Masset-Depasse was to direct the English version but left the production making way for cinematographer Benoît Delhomme’s directorial debut, which explains the lovely-looking, golden-lit frames. Chastain and Hathaway look smashing in their ‘60s pencil skirts, blouses in pastel colours, bows and cigarette trousers, perfectly accessorised with high heels, purses and gloves.
As Alice and Celine, Chastain and Hathaway run the gamut of emotions from love, grief and guilt to rage, suspicion and fear. There is a reference to the habit of consigning the so-called ‘problem women’ to metaphoric attics. The actors’ fine work is not backed by the script that skitters this way and that like a frightened mouse in an overlarge sand pit.
The abrupt shifts in tone keeps the viewer off-kilter till it does not in the third act which quickly devolves into some kind of ‘80s Hindi movie melodrama — one almost expects the women to call each other chudail or dayaan while clawing each other’s eyes out and tearing out the immaculately coiffed hair. On second thoughts, that would have been rather enjoyable. You can spend time with Mothers’ Instinct wondering about the placement of the apostrophe and marvel at the fabulous clothes adorning these beautiful actors who are at the top of their game.
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Mothers’ Instinct is currently running in theatres
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