Sudhir Srinivasan

Sarkar: Vijay propaganda hinders this film from realising its potential

“He talks of America’s language becoming English instead of German, France becoming a republic from a monarchy, Hitler acquiring dictatorial control over the party… It’s the sort of list you’d expect to see on WhatsApp a week before elections, sent by well-meaning friends. And much like many such noble lists, all the examples cited in this one are entirely wrong.”

Seemaraja: A dull, frustrating rural drama replete with overused ideas

“Seemaraja is also the sort of film in which a fat woman comes running and Imman utilises an elephant’s trumpeting as BGM in a bid to get us laughing. The scene’s as funny as a burning orphanage.”

Not rankled anymore if I don’t have a film with a star: Samantha Akkineni

“I can summon tears at will. With due respect to method actors, I think truth comes out of spontaneity.”

Searching is my Following: Anish Chaganty

“The media and Hollywood usually portrays technology in negative light. Searching isn’t one such indictment. Yes, technology can alienate, but it can also connect. It can make us hope, it can make us love… and maybe, it can bring a dad and daughter together — like in Searching.”

Imaikaa Nodigal: A strong cast packs a punch in this largely enjoyable thriller

“One is almost stoic, the other is sensitive to a fault. Later, during a moment of profound sadness and unimaginable pain, she still has the streetsmarts to notice a CCTV camera on the road. A CBI officer at work is one at home too.”

Kolamavu Kokila: An inconsistent, problematic dark comedy

“What’s Kolamavu Kokila really trying to say? There’s the likeable subtext that a woman — her superficial meekness and soft speech notwithstanding — can outwit dozens of powerful men, sure, and really, hurrah for it. Beyond it though, what else is the story saying? That illegal means are justified when your needs are legitimate?”