Homebound Movie Review

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has received widespread critical acclaim since its release in September 2025. Critics are calling it a "soul-stirring" and "deeply empathetic" masterpiece, with many comparing its emotional weight to Ghaywan’s debut, Masaan.

Critical Consensus

The film holds a rare 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 85, indicating universal acclaim. Most critics praise the film for tackling systemic issues like caste and religious identity through a deeply personal, human lens rather than a preachy one.

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Review Highlights

• Performances: * Ishaan Khatter (Shoaib): Described as a "career-defining" and "magnetic" performance. Critics noted his ability to portray the quiet rage and practical desperation of a young Muslim man.

  • Vishal Jethwa (Chandan): Hailed as an "absolute revelation." His portrayal of a Dalit youth hiding his identity to escape exclusion was praised for its raw honesty and restraint.

  • Janhvi Kapoor (Sudha): Though her role is relatively small, she is noted for being "sincere" and providing a crucial perspective on female education and ambition within marginalized communities.

• Direction & Writing: Reviewers from The Hindu and Variety highlighted Ghaywan’s ability to capture "subtle indignities" and "daily injustices" without resorting to melodrama. The dialogue, co-written by Varun Grover, is described as incisive and deeply affecting.

• Technical Finesse: Pratik Shah’s cinematography is frequently mentioned for its "unflinching" look at the harsh realities of rural India and the grueling journey of migrant workers during the lockdown.

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Score Summary

Publication	Rating	Verdict
The Times of India	5 / 5	"Filmmaking at its finest... a soul-stirring observation."
The Indian Express	3.5 / 5	"Offers compassion and cautious optimism we desperately need."
Rediff	4 / 5	"Deeply moving... the simmering anger is not sanitized."
WION	Positive	"A triumph of empathy... stays with you long after the film ends."

What the Critics Say

"Homebound hits like a thunderbolt... It not only compels you to confront your own privilege but also lays bare the complex layers of gender-based disparity." — Times of India

"The first time in ages that a mainstream Hindi-language production has felt vital... a searing indictment of modern India." — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety

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A Note for Viewers

While the film is heartbreaking and deals with the brutal reality of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, reviewers emphasize that it is a story of friendship and resilience rather than just tragedy. It avoids "poverty porn" by focusing on the agency and dreams of its lead characters.

Homebound is currently available to stream on Netflix (released on November 21, 2025).

Dhurandhar Movie Review

The reviews for the movie Dhurandhar are generally positive, with critics and audience members praising its intensity, performances, and production.

Here's a summary of the key points from the reviews:

Movie Review of film Haq

Haq (meaning "Right" or "Claim"), a Hindi courtroom drama, has generally received positive reviews from critics. It is heavily inspired by the landmark Shah Bano case of the 1980s, which dealt with maintenance rights for divorced Muslim women in India.

Here is a summary of the critical reception:

Overall Consensus

• Powerful and Restrained: Critics largely praised the film for its mature and restrained handling of a highly sensitive and complex socio-legal subject. It avoids

Movie Review of Film 120 Bahadur

 The movie 120 Bahadur is a historical war drama that recounts the true story of the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The film focuses on the valor of 120 soldiers from the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment, led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (played by Farhan Akhtar), who defended their post against a massive Chinese force.

Here is a summary of the general reception and key points from the reviews:

Key Strengths (Widely Praised)

• Visuals and Technical Execution: The cinematography (by Tetsuo Nagata) is consistently praised for capturing the brutal, high-altitude terrain of Ladakh and for crafting visually stunning, realistic battle sequences. The film's technical brilliance is highlighted by many.

• The Battle Sequences: The extended action-heavy climax and the depiction of the last stand are widely

Movie review of Dhadak 2

Dhadak 2 is a romantic drama film, a spiritual sequel to 2018's Dhadak and a remake of the acclaimed 2018 Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal. It was released theatrically on August 1, 2025, and later on OTT.

Movie Reviews released in Sep-Oct 2025

The  most prominent recent Hindi/multi-language releases with reviews are:

 

 1. Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 (2025) Genre: Action, Mythological Fantasy, Prequel (originally a Kannada film, released in multiple languages including Hindi) Synopsis: The film is a prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara and explores the origins of the Daiva tradition and the divine spirit

Chakravyuh - Hindi Movie Review and Critics Ratings

This is a movie review of the Hindi film "Chakravyuh".

Average Rating: 2.7/5 (Based on web reviews)

Synopsis:

The film follows three friends from police training, Adil Khan (Arjun Rampal), Rhea Menon (Esha Gupta), and Kabir (Abhay Deol). After Kabir is expelled, Adil becomes a police officer in a Naxal-infested area. When his honest efforts are thwarted by the Naxal leader Rajan (Manoj Bajpayee), Adil hatches a plan with Kabir to infiltrate the Naxal group. The film attempts to explore various complex issues but is criticized for a weak script and mixed performances.

Review Highlights:

• Acting:

  • Arjun Rampal: The reviews offer conflicting opinions. One review calls his performance "wooden" and "unintentionally hilarious," while another hails it as his "most accomplished act" and an "eye-opener."

  • Abhay Deol: He is generally praised for his competent and nuanced portrayal of a character who looks "vulnerable and determined."

  • Manoj Bajpayee: His performance as the Naxal leader is widely lauded for its "depth" and ability to leave the audience "awe-struck."

  • Anjali Patil: Described as a "complete revelation" and a "prized find" for her "furious and power-packed performance."

  • Esha Gupta: Her performance is criticized as not being "convincing enough" for the role, with a suggestion that a more mature actress would have been better suited.

  • Om Puri: His acting is praised as "exceptional," with his look, expressions, and dialogue delivery all standing out.

  • Supporting Cast: Murli Sharma, Kabir Bedi, Chetan Pandit, S.M. Zaheer, and Kiran Karmarkar are also mentioned for their effective performances.

• Direction & Script:

  • The film is directed by Prakash Jha, who is acknowledged for his ability to create engaging and entertaining dramas around "burning issues."

  • However, the script is considered a weak point, with one review stating the film "gets bogged down" by trying to grapple with too many issues.

  • "Chakravyuh" is also seen as a victim of "typical Bollywood excesses," with a suggestion that it could have worked better with "a little more subtlety, a little less jingoism."

Overall Verdict:

The reviews present a mixed bag. While some find the film to be an "engaging drama" that is both topical and entertaining, others feel it falls short due to a flawed script and uneven performances, particularly from the lead actor Arjun Rampal and Esha Gupta.