Indian Cinema Reviews | Picking Rare Gems from thoughtful Indian Films

The intent of this leaflet is to hoard Indian cinema reviews from outstanding Indian movies. Being an avid Hollywood buff, I rarely get time to watch movies with Indian roots, but whenever I do I ensure I watch quality stuff.

Indian Cinema Review

There is something dearly about your roots. It feels as if you are home. Entwined in your mother’s arms. The precise reason I care to check my roots. I squeeze some time out to watch highly recommended Indian films that I think are worth the time.

image of indian cinema written on a movie reel

Revering all the Hard Work

I fathom making a movie entails a lot of hard work. There are Herculean aspects that simply cannot be overlooked. Right from a perfect Casting to painstaking details entailed in achieving that articulate Cinematography, filling the right frames with apt Music to acing the frames with impeccable Acting, days of diligent Editing, perfecting it with an orgasmic Screenplay and then eventually binding everything together to make it all work is no easy job. I respect that! I intend to be a part of it someday. When that day comes, I will hold it closer to my heart and will never let go.

Changing face of Indian Cinema

Indian Cinema has been growing at a very fast pace. Straight from A Movie intends to celebrate some of those rare flicks that have unveiled the jaded facade of mainstream. New directors have taken over the Indian Film Industry. Different ideas are being helmed even as we speak. People who can really act are slowly sauntering towards the spotlight, and we are standing at a rare developmental plateau with arms wide open, ready to accept the change.

This leaflet of Indian Film tries to celebrate some of those rare Hindi movies that were strong enough to break the shackles of one-way thinking.

If there was an Indian film I discovered that blew my mind away, I would put it here in this column. Make occasional visits to see what this gorgeous category has amassed over a time span.

Mausam movie review featured image with Sanjeev Kumar as Amarnath and Sharmila Tagore as Chanda and Kajli

Mausam Movie Review: Gulzar’s Tale of Redemption

Another great Gulzar movie. This Mausam movie review begins with the film’s greatest strength: the extraordinary way Gulzar writes while keeping the main plot firmly in sight. Yet what impressed me just as much was his direction. This is one ...

Aandhi movie review featured image with Suchitra Sen as Aarti Devi and Sanjeev Kumar as J. K.

Aandhi Movie Review (1975): A Storm of Love and Politics

Aandhi. The very title tells you that a storm is coming. As I discovered while writing this Aandhi movie review, the film does take you by storm through its pain, longing and political upheaval. The story unfolds against an election ...

Amar Prem movie review featured image with Sharmila Tagore as Pushpa and Rajesh Khanna as Anand Babu

Amar Prem Movie Review (1972): Empathy Over Prejudice

Writing this Amar Prem movie review, I found the film to be a perfect example of society's hypocrisy. People remain biased against certain groups based solely on their professions. Pushpa turns to prostitution after her husband abuses, rejects and abandons ...

Hanuman Ansh Movie Review (2026): An Ode to Neem Karoli Baba

This Hanuman Ansh movie review explores how the film pays tribute to Neem Karoli Baba and brings his life and teachings to a wider audience. Maharaj-ji continues to shower his love and instil faith in people even after he is ...

guide movie wallpaper for guide movie review

Guide Movie Review (1965): A Cathartic Story of Redemption

Writing this Guide movie review felt inevitable after spending my entire life listening to the beautiful song “Wahan Kaun Hai Tera, Musafir Jayega Kahan.” I knew the day would come when I would finally watch the film, and today, it did. As ...

kaagaz ke phool image of guru dutt and waheeda Rehman

Kaagaz Ke Phool Movie Review (1959): Heartbreaking Classic

Writing this Kaagaz Ke Phool movie review while still feeling absolutely devastated by the film. As my teacher once said, Guru Dutt was a true “depressionist.” She told me that Guru Dutt, who was her father’s classmate, would always turn up with ...

Anamika (1973) Movie Review: Mystery, Music & Meaning

Anamika (1973) follows writer Devendra Dutt and a mysterious woman whose identity unsettles his beliefs. This review explores its performances, songs and themes of trust. I had always wanted to watch Anamika because of the songs I had heard from ...

Masoom (1983) – When Cinema was Eloquently Powerful – Analysis

What a beautiful, timeless piece! Masoom plays on all the chords of human relationships, tugging not only at the innocence of a child on which the title is based, but also striking a chord with every character affected by that ...

Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam (1962): Unfathomable Grief and Longing

Directed by Abrar Alvi, Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam explores the longing and patience of an affluent woman for attention from his husband through the protagonist's perspective. The Chhoti Bahu is the soul of the story. The plot runs in the ...

Ugly Movie Review (2013): The Paradox of Human Integrity

Guillermo Del Toro once said ‘The most tyrannical thing we invented is nice, the tyranny of nice chokes me. I think we are all complex people; we are all paradoxical people. 9 am You are a saint, 9:30 you are ...

Straight From a Movie