Indian cinema’s current review landscape is less about a single “trend” and more about how sharply different genres are being judged: by atmosphere and ambiguity in horror, by ethics and representation in procedurals, by credibility in real-life stories, and by public expectations (not just revenue) in star-driven tentpoles. Below is a structured look at what recent reviews suggest about six notable titles and themes.
1) ‘Baramulla’: Horror that weaponizes perception
Baramulla is framed in reviews as a horror film where dread doesn’t solely come from jump scares or monsters, but from how characters (and viewers) interpret what they see. The core idea is psychological: fear grows in the gap between an event and the meaning assigned to it. That approach typically lives or dies on mood, pacing, and the director’s control of ambiguity—if the film explains too much, tension evaporates; if it explains too little, it risks feeling vague rather than unsettling.
What stands out in the critical framing is the emphasis on subjectivity: the “horror” can shift depending on who is looking, what they believe, and what they’ve experienced. That makes the film’s atmosphere and point-of-view choices central to its effectiveness.
2) ‘War 2’: How can a Rs 236 crore net earner be called a flop?
The War 2 conversation highlights a recurring reality of Indian blockbuster discourse: “hit” or “flop” is often a judgment about expectations, not just absolute collections. When a film carries massive star power and franchise momentum, the yardstick becomes stricter—budgets (including marketing), revenue-sharing, and the scale of pre-release hype all shape whether the final outcome is seen as underwhelming.
In other words, a large number can still disappoint if stakeholders expected a record. Reviews and trade narratives around such films tend to weigh perceived “value delivered” (set pieces, novelty, storytelling, repeat value) alongside economics, which is why the term “flop” can circulate even when the headline figure looks strong.
3) ‘Ronth’: A strong procedural—still wrestling with familiar pitfalls
Ronth is described as a competent police procedural powered by the performances of Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew. The praise centers on craft elements procedurals live on: investigative rhythm, grounded tension, and an ensemble that sells the everyday texture of policing.
However, the review also points to persistent problematic tropes associated with the writer’s earlier work. That indicates the film may be technically sturdy while still raising questions about how it frames violence, gender, caste/class dynamics, or “ends-justify-means” policing—issues that increasingly matter in contemporary criticism of the genre.
4) Patriotic Indian films: What “must-watch” lists reveal
Film listicles on patriotism function like cultural barometers: they reward films that generate collective emotion—pride, unity, sacrifice—often through war stories, sports victories, biopics, or historical turning points. The underlying critical point isn’t that patriotism is a genre, but that it’s a storytelling lens that can amplify stakes and broaden audience identification.
At the same time, such lists implicitly raise a useful question: is a film inspiring because it is nuanced, or because it is uncomplicated? Many patriotic favorites become popular by simplifying moral binaries; the best entries in the “patriotic” space usually add human complexity without diluting feeling.
5) ‘Ground Zero’: Real-life BSF story anchored by performance
Ground Zero is reviewed as a grounded, gripping dramatization of a real-life BSF-related saga, with Emraan Hashmi’s performance singled out as a key strength. Real-event films are often judged on two fronts: (1) narrative propulsion—does it work as a thriller/drama?—and (2) credibility—does it avoid sensationalism while still being cinematic?
The critical framing suggests the film leans into realism rather than glossy heroics, which can heighten impact when the material is already intense. In this mode, acting and detail (procedures, chain of command, moral pressure) matter as much as action.
6) ‘Kesari Chapter 2’: History as courtroom drama
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is positioned as a blend of historical subject matter and courtroom drama, driven by fierce performances. Courtroom storytelling is a natural fit for re-examining trauma and accountability: it creates a structured arena where competing versions of “truth” clash, and where rhetoric becomes action.
The review framing implies the film’s power comes from performance intensity and the drama of argument—turning history into a moral contest rather than a museum piece. The risk with such films is always balance: honoring the gravity of real events while using dramatization responsibly.
What these reviews collectively say about Indian cinema right now
- Genre expectations are tightening. Horror is pushed toward psychology; procedurals are judged for ethics as well as realism; biographical/real-life stories are tested for authenticity.
- Box office isn’t a single metric. “Success” is increasingly framed around budgets, hype, franchise positioning, and long-term value—not only opening totals.
- Performance remains the universal currency. Across the spectrum—war, courtroom, police, or horror—reviews repeatedly return to acting as the anchor that makes ambitious premises feel credible.
Whether you’re choosing what to watch next or mapping the shifting standards of Indian film criticism, these titles show how audiences and reviewers now ask not just “Is it entertaining?” but also “Is it honest to its genre, its politics, and its promises?”