We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
Deva: Shahid Kapoor—aka Dev Ambre—takes on the role of a ruthless cop with a thirst for revenge in this high-octane action thriller. After the murder of a fellow officer, Dev sets out on a brutal rampage, blurring the lines between law and lawlessness. As he battles the system and his own demons, questions arise—is he a protector or a menace? Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, and Kubbra Sait co-star in this Rosshan Andrrews directorial, penned by Bobby-Sanjay and Hussain Dalal. FYI: ‘Deva’ is a remake of Andrrews’ own 2013 Malayalam film ‘Mumbai Police’.
Reviews loved Shahid Kapoor’s performance. The Hindu gives him a backhanded compliment: “[W]e have a mainstream flick where the hero makes you forget the lapses in the logic of the screenplay.” Scroll chimes in this critique: “All ‘Deva’ needed was a proper story — and an eye on the clock.” Our take: If you’re in the mood for an adrenaline-pumping thriller with Shahid Kapoor in full action mode, ‘Deva’ promises high-stakes drama. Out now in theatres.
Companion: This sci-fi horror-thriller stars Sophia Thatcher and Jack Quaid of ‘Yellowjackets’ and ‘The Boys’ fame respectively, and is directed by debutant Drew Hancock. The premise: A group of friends congregate at a remote cabin for a weekend vacation, but chaos ensues when it turns out one of them (Thatcher) is actually an AI sex robot with an axe to grind. The rest of the main cast features familiar faces who primarily made their name in TV—Rupert Friend (‘Homeland’), Megan Suri (‘Never Have I Ever’), Harvey Guillén (‘What We Do In the Shadows’) and Lukas Gage (‘You’).
Reviews are strong. Hollywood Reporter says it “works on more than a surface B-movie level, providing sly satirical commentary about power dynamics in romantic relationships to which more than a few audience members will be able to relate.” According to IndieWire: “There’s a lot to enjoy about “Companion,” from Hancock’s sleek visuals, smooth pacing, and twisty script, to Thatcher’s uncanny performance as an android who borders on humanity without ever crossing the threshold.” Our take: The ‘Black Mirror’ vibes are all over this and the cast is too good to pass up. Watch it in theatres now!
The Storyteller: Directed by Anant Mahadevan and starring Paresh Rawal and Adil Hussain, The Storyteller is a thought-provoking drama about the power of storytelling and the clash between creativity and ambition. Based on Satyajit Ray’s short story ‘Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro’, the film follows Tarini, a wandering storyteller who takes up an unusual job—helping a wealthy businessman, Ratan Garodia, overcome his insomnia through bedtime tales. As their relationship unfolds, the story delves into themes of artistic integrity, cultural contrasts, and the exploitation of creative talent.
Reviews are good. Indian Express says it is the type of film which “takes its time to lay out its wares, demanding your patience, which does get a trifle stretched, but overall rewards you for it.” Hindustan Times calls it a “must watch—it’s a pause in time, a departure from the mundane, pacy lives we lead.” Our take: It reminds us of the magic of storytelling, brought to life by stellar performances—perfect for those who are fond of immersive cinema. Watch it now on Disney+ Hotstar.
You’re Cordially Invited: Light-hearted comedies are back! This one stars Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon—who are both part of two different wedding entourages—but end up at the same venue on the same day due to the hotel’s mistake. What ensues is hilarious event after event of both parties trying to make the most of the weddings.
Reviews are mixed. Variety writes: “Witherspoon and Ferrell are two of the rare stars who can be charming even when trying to sabotage someone else’s most important moment, and ‘You’re Cordially Invited’ is most fun when they’re on the warpath.” OTOH, Hollywood Reporter calls it a “dud.” Our take: We think this’ll be a fun watch with your friends, at a pajama party—with lots of popcorn at hand! Catch it on Amazon Prime.
The Secret of the Shiledars: Put the ‘Indian’ in Indiana Jones! Here’s a very desi series based on the Marathi book ‘Pratipashchandra’ by Dr Prakash Koyade. It focusses on a group of treasure protectors called Shiledars—the soldiers who guard Maratha king Shivaji's treasure). Rajeev Khandelwal leads the show as Ravi who is a descendent of the Marathas and has to now bear the responsibilities of the Shiledars to uncover the great hidden treasure and protect it.
There are no reviews for the show. Our take: An Indian Indiana Jones? Doesn’t sound too bad! Stream it on Disney+ Hotstar.
Lucca’s World: Based on a book by Bárbara Anderson, this Mexican film stars telenovela legend Barbara Mori—anyone remember her co-starring with Hrithik Roshan in ‘Kites’? Here, she plays a mother who seeks more innovative treatments to manage her son’s cerebral palsy—which begins with taking him on a trip to India. Mori’s co-stars are also largely drawn from Mexico’s vast telenovela industry, except for Danish Husain—who previously appeared in ‘Delhi Crime’ and ‘Tanaav’.
The movie doesn’t have any reviews. Our take: It’s Eat Pray Love-meets-My Left Foot, get ready to shed some tears! The film is available to stream on Netflix
Here’s a new chapter…
Mythic Quest Season 4: In the fourth season, the team behind the hit video game faces a new kind of challenge—balancing work and life when work is everything. Ian and Poppy, after finally figuring out how to work together, are thrown off when Poppy starts exploring a life outside the office, thanks to a new boyfriend. As she begins to question what she really wants, Ian struggles with the changes, forcing both to rethink their partnership. Packed with humor and sharp insights into workaholic culture, the season explores whether loving your job too much can be just as tricky as hating it. See the series on Apple TV+.
The Recruit season 2: Noah Centineo returns in this action comedy about Owen Hendricks, a reluctant rookie CIA lawyer who is tasked with handling a former asset threatening to expose the sins of the Agency. This season picks up on the back of a cliffhanger finale, as Hendricks wiggles his way out of a near-death experience only to find himself at the centre of a far bigger espionage web. The second season is now out on Netflix.
Fresh off the big screen…
Pushpa 2: The Rule: The Pushpa sequel starts with Allu Arjun reprising his role as Pushpa, now a red sandalwood kingpin facing international threats, betrayal, and his own past. Fahadh Faasil returns as SP Shekhawat, Pushpa’s unhinged nemesis, while Rashmika Mandanna plays Srivalli, Pushpa’s emotional anchor. Highlights include a jaw-dropping jaatra sequence where Pushpa dons Goddess Kali’s avatar and electrifying action choreography. You can stream it on Netflix now.
Queer: Luca Guadagnino, from ‘Challengers’ and ‘Call Me by Your Name’ fame, is back with a historical romance drama—this time with Daniel Craig as the lead. The adaptation of the 1985 novella by William S Burroughs looks at an American living in 1950s Mexico City—who is infatuated with a much younger man. You can catch the movie on MUBI.
