My 2024 of 7 Hindi Films #BlogchatterWrapParty

I love watching films, and this year, I watched a few new releases. However, I have yet to watch much more; one of the topmost on my list is Lapaata Ladies. Anyway, I have watched other films I can discuss for the 3rd post of #BlogchatterWrapParty. 

1. Murder Mubarak ( Thriller/Comedy): The story of this film, directed by Homi Adjania, had much potential. However, the film failed to hit the chord due to a sloppy screenplay and some underwhelming performances. People are getting killed in a prestigious club meant for the who's who of the city. While investigating, the cop (Pankaj Tripathi) reveals some very unexpected truths, along with the help of a few of the club members. Behind the mask of wealth and pomp lie too many dirty secrets buried. This Whodunnit murder mystery could have been better with a crisper length, better editing and dialogues. Even good performers like Pankaj Tripathi and Vijay Varma could not do much to save the movie. 

2. Shaitaan (Horror): This film, directed by Vikas Bahl, did not fail to provide the adequate chills required from a horror film. The havoc a devilish man creates in a happy family of four is disturbing. As a parent, it was challenging to go through the ordeal that the young girl had to undergo at the hands of her tormentor, played so convincingly by R. Madhavan. The performances of all the actors were honest, and the twist at the end was very unexpected. Also, a special mention to the title track, which, of course, has similarities to Anthem from the film Us. Overall, I found the film worth the watch.

3. Maidaan (Sports/Biopic): I simply have no idea why this movie had no takers at the Box Office. This film by Amit Sharma is good in every aspect, and one can sense the love and heart that the maker had invested in detailing everything so finely. From the very start, when the background Bengali song, Sono Sono Kothati Sono by Dhanonjoy Bhattacharya, was playing, I had a feeling that the long run of 3 hours would not be wasted. And I was not wrong as the film turned out to be the best among the ones I watched this year. The background score and the performances of every actor, Priyamani, Gajraj Rao and Rudraneil Ghosh, are worth applause. The more I say about Ajay Devgn's performance in this film, the less. He owned every frame of the movie. The music also matched the high spirits of the film.

4. Madgaon Express (Comedy): I have a few guilt-watching films like Dhamaal, and this film by Kunal Khhemu clearly falls under that category. The movie stars Divyendu, Pratik Gandhi, and Avinash Tiwary as 3 friends who reunite and travel to Goa only to be trapped in some unwanted Underworld drama. What follows are some hilarious events that they stage to fool the goons. It's a fun and entertaining watch; viewers will not be bored.

5. Bhakshak (Crime): I watched Sector 36, which was disturbing, especially the interrogation scene. However, I found another film, Bhakshak, equally distressing. Bhoomi Pednekar plays a journalist who runs a channel with the help of her cameraman. Both of them uncover a heinous crime being carried out under the veil of an orphanage run by a powerful man. The film is hard-hitting because it has been adapted from actual events. However, just like Sector 36, the ending could have been better. Still, this film is worth the watch.

6. Kakuda (Horror/Comedy): While Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiya 3 were the talk of the year, several other horror comedies were released this year. Kakuda has Riteish Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha, Saquib Salim and Aasif Khan in major roles. The strange case of Kakuda takes us to the village of Rathodi, where an uncanny incident occurs every Tuesday. To crack the case the new Bahu of the town, Indu appoints a Ghost-Hunter Victor. The performances are good from all the actors. Aasif Khan and Rajendra Gupta are amazing in supporting roles. The sequences where various ghosts keep annoying the ghost hunter and how he tackles them are amusing. Deshmukh, as Victor, does a fabulous job. Overall, the film is quite entertaining.

7. Agni (Drama): The latest film that I have watched is this Drama film directed by Rahul Dholakia. This film is about one of the most unsung heroes in the community, the firefighters. Pratik Gandhi and Divyendu come together again after the laugh riot Madgaon Express. But this time, they are brother-in-laws and professional rivals. A firefighter struggles to get due respect from his son and media, whose only hero is his uncle, a supercop. The film is heartwarming, and the performances of all the actors are simply marvellous. Gandhi gives a stunning performance as Vitthal Rao. His eyes skilfully do the talking whenever he longs for the respect and admiration of his son. His anger, jealousy and rivalry with his brother-in-law, Samit at times are presented perfectly by the actor. Divyendu is good, but we have seen similar performances from him before. 

So that's what my Hindi movies watchlist for 2024 looks like. Although I have watched Stree 2, Chandu Champion and a few other films, I thought of writing about these less spoken-about ones.  Other than Lapaata Ladies, please let me know what other films I can watch this year? Your suggestions are appreciated.  

#BlogchatterWrapParty