News / Columns / Anupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra is the editor and founder of Film Companion.

Articles by Anupama Chopra

Movie review: Boss is a cartoon designed to deify Akshay Kumar by Anupama Chopra

Boss is essentially a cartoon designed to deify Akshay Kumar, so the storyline surrenders to set-piece comedy and action sequences. But Boss is not terrible. Ronit is deserves half star out of the two and a half rating, Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on Oct 23, 2013 01:30 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Mumbai

Anupama Chopra's review: War Chhod Na Yaar

War Chhod Na Yaar, a satire on constantly warring India and Pakistan, has a few fun moments. Debutant writer-director Faraz Haider creates a genuinely nice scene in which soldiers on opposite sides of the barbed wire play antakshri. Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on Oct 11, 2013 05:25 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Mumbai

Anupama Chopra's review: The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox is my favourite love story of the year. It’s sweet, sad and deeply aching. Debutant director Ritesh Batra captures the harrowing loneliness that a metropolis like Mumbai fosters and the hope of happiness that glimmers. Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on Sep 21, 2013 12:05 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Grand Masti is offensive, avoidable

Every 10 minutes or so, you hit a low point and think that the film can't possibly sink any further, but Kumar and co-writer Milap Milan Zaveri surprise you. They lower the bar yet again, writes Anupama Chopra.

entertainment

Updated on Sep 14, 2013 01:32 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Mumbai

Anupama Chopra's review of John Day

I thought that in the age of Google, filmmakers would be reluctant to flat-out steal someone else’s work. Without a hint of discomfort, debutant director Ahishor Solomon lifts plot, scenes and dialogue from the crime thriller Box 507, writes Anupama Chopra.

entertainment

Updated on Sep 14, 2013 11:09 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, New Delhi

Anupama Chopra's review: Zanjeer, a ramshackle remake

That Zanjeer was a classic. This remake is wrong on so many levels that I don’t know where to begin. This isn’t a film. It’s sacrilege. Zanjeer starts with a song in which a scantily clad woman writhes in chains — zanjeer, get it?

entertainment

Updated on Sep 07, 2013 12:16 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Mumbai

Anupama Chopra's review: Shuddh Desi Romance

I don’t know about you but for me a good film is like a tequila shot — I get giddy on it. And when a Bollywood film gives me a high, I feel like screaming from the rooftops. I loved Shuddh Desi Romance and I think you will too.

entertainment

Updated on Sep 08, 2013 02:44 PM IST

ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Satyagraha

If good intentions were enough to make good movies, Satyagraha would be a masterpiece. It tries to say so much that it ends up saying very little. The impact is diluted by a plot that lurches from one event to the next without offering anything new. Anupama Chopra writes.

Kareena-Kapoor-and-Ajay-Devgn-in-a-romantic-still-from-Satyagraha

entertainment

Updated on Aug 31, 2013 10:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Madras Cafe

Watching Madras Café is both frustrating and satisfying. The thriller, set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war, is, in equal parts, muddled and moving. There are sequences of power and eloquence.

entertainment

Updated on Aug 24, 2013 09:45 AM IST

ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara!

Halfway into Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobaara!, Akshay Kumar playing the all-powerful, Dawood-style, murderous mafia don Shoaib, declares: “Villain hoon main, villain.” Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on Aug 18, 2013 08:25 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Chennai Express

It breaks my heart to tell you that Chennai Express left me cold. This hyper, eager-to-please Rahul sorely tested my patience. And after a while, the innumerable references to DDLJ seemed like a lazy shot at siphoning some of the enduring affection we have for that film. Anupama Choprawrites.

entertainment

Updated on Aug 19, 2013 02:30 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: B.A. Pass

B.A. Pass holds your interest as long as Bahl sticks to Sikka’s darkly twisted story. But each time he diverges -- including his choice of the film’s cheesy name the narrative wobbles. Still, it is much better than its tacky posters let on. Anupama Chopra writes.

Based-on-Mohan-Sikka-s-short-story-The-Railway-Aunty-this-Shilpa-Shukla-Shadab-Kamal-Dibyendu-Bhattacharya-and-Rajesh-Sharma-starrer-BA-Pass-has-already-won-Best-Indian-Film-OSIAN-s-Cinefan-Film-Festival-2012-and-Prix-Du-Public-Voted-Best-Film-by-the-audience-Festival-Du-Film-D-Asie-Du-Sud-Transfgressif-Paris-2013-Debutant-director-Ajay-Bahl-has-helmed-the-project

entertainment

Updated on Aug 02, 2013 11:23 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Fukrey

Fukrey is a genial romp about four lower middle-class boys in Delhi who embark upon a harebrained scheme to raise money but eventually find out that there are no short cuts in life. Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on Jun 15, 2013 10:46 AM IST

ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Yamla Pagla Deewana 2

At one point in Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, Paramveer, played by Sunny Deol, looks up at the skies and exclaims: Not fair Rabba. I felt exactly that after watching this incoherent mess of a movie, writes Anupama Chopra.

entertainment

Updated on Jun 08, 2013 11:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Yeh Jawaani, Hai Deewani

There is enough eye-candy in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani to see you through, but I wish the film had more meat and less dressing. I’m disappointed because there is a truckload of talent here. What rankles is what might have been, writes Anupama Chopra.

entertainment

Updated on Jun 02, 2013 02:39 PM IST

ByAnupama Chopra

‘I turned producer to tell stories which few people dare to say’

National Award-winning actor Irrfan Khan turns producer with The Lunchbox, directed by debutant Ritesh Batra. The film premiered to rave reviews in Critics’ Week, a festival sidebar for first and second films of directors. Anupama Chopra chats him up.

entertainment

Updated on May 26, 2013 12:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

Cannes 2013 raises a toast to India

This year, the festival had a decidedly ‘desi’ flavour. The 100th year of Indian cinema was celebrated with screenings, stars and an official sit-down dinner for 300-odd people, hosted by festival president Gilles Jacob and general delegate Thierry Frémaux. Anupama Chopra reports.

india news

Updated on May 26, 2013 11:02 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

Celebrating Hindi cinema at Cannes

We’ve started to make an impression, and this year, The Lunchbox and Monsoon Shootout have furthered the cause. My hope is that next year, we will see an Indian film in the main competition section. That would be a real India Day! Anupama Chopra writes.

india news

Updated on May 21, 2013 01:54 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

If you want to go to Cannes, cast Nawazuddin Siddiqui

I think the most inspiring India narrative at Cannes is Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He has three films at the festival — Monsoon Shootout, The Lunchbox, and Bombay Talkies. If you want to go to Cannes, cast Nawazuddin, writes Anupama Chopra.

Dibakar-Banerjee-s-film-stars-Nawazuddin-Siddiqui-and-Sadashiv-Amrapukar-and-it-explores-an-emotional-father-son-relationship-The-film-has-been-adapted-from-Satyajit-Ray-s-film-Star-and-has-a-Marathi-flavour-to-it

india news

Updated on May 20, 2013 05:33 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

Monsoon in Cannes

Amit Kumar’s terrific film Monsoon Shootout must have the blessings of what juror Ang Lee calls, the Film God. Anupama Chopra reports.

india news

Updated on May 19, 2013 10:15 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

Cannes 2013: a pandora’s box of talent

We were just settling down for an early dinner at a Chinese restaurant when Jackie Chan walked by. The superstar, accompanied by two people, walked up the narrow street, taking pictures of art in a gallery window.

india news

Updated on May 19, 2013 01:59 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, New Delhi

India’s shining at Cannes

I’ve interviews followed by the red carpet screening of Francois Ozon’s Competition entry Jeune & Jolie, followed by a spectacular two-hour, four-course dinner hosted by Chivas Regal — that’s what day 2 in Cannes was for me.

india news

Updated on May 18, 2013 04:18 PM IST

None | ByAnupama Chopra

The Great Gatsby gets skewered at Cannes

The Cannes International Film Festival is a masterclass in precision. Everything is micro-managed, right down to which direction the stars look in as they pose on the red carpet, and how long they pose in one place before moving a little ahead so that the next lot of photographers can capture the incredible fashions.

india news

Updated on May 17, 2013 08:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times | Byanupama chopra anupama chopra anupama chopra, Cannes

Anupama Chopra's review: Go Goa Gone

A Bollywood zombie comedy -- the idea itself is delicious. Writer-directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK deliver what their zany promos promised, but only for half the film. Post-interval, the film does a zombie on us -- it becomes dead, lumbering and tedious. Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on May 11, 2013 09:32 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Bombay Talkies

Bombay Talkies begins with a young man pushing his father against a wall and angrily declaring that he is a homosexual and not a eunuch. From that moment on, you know that this isn't going to be your regular Hindi movie. Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on May 04, 2013 11:36 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Aashiqui 2

Aashiqui 2 is about two singers in love. It has the Abhimaan angle of a famous artiste, Rahul, played by Aditya Roy Kapur, discovering a small-town girl, Aarohi, played by Shraddha Kapoor, and mentoring her to glory. Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on Apr 27, 2013 10:23 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Ek Thi Daayan

Ek Thi Daayan had the potential to be an A-grade horror film but it’s an opportunity lost. However, I’m very curious about what debutant director Kannan Iyer will do next. Anupama Chopra writes.

entertainment

Updated on Apr 20, 2013 09:52 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Nautanki Saala!

Nautanki Saala! is based on a frothy French comedy called Après Vous, which means After You. Sadly, much is lost in translation. It is funny in parts but often feels stretched and flat, like champagne without the fizz. Anupama Chopra reports.

Ayushmann-Khurrana-s-comedy-Nautanki-Saala-is-something-to-look-forward-to-With-it-s-hummable-songs-and-funny-promos-the-film-has-high-expectations-Take-a-look-at-some-fresh-stills-from-the-film

entertainment

Updated on Apr 20, 2013 12:37 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Rise of the Zombie: be very afraid

Rise of the Zombie has been pitched as Bollywood’s first zombie film. I know zombies are by definition fictitious, dead and determinedly brainless, but after watching this movie, I worried about their feelings.

entertainment

Updated on Apr 05, 2013 10:37 PM IST

ByAnupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra's review: Chashme Buddoor

David Dhawan and Chashme Buddoor are inherently a mismatch. He is the creator of a specific kind of crass comedy, which, at its best, works as zany, energetic, disposable entertainment. Chashme Buddoor, on the other hand, is a classic, a film with a genuine sweetness.

entertainment

Updated on Apr 06, 2013 02:07 PM IST

ByAnupama Chopra

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Anupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra is the editor and founder of Film Companion.

Boss is essentially a cartoon designed to deify Akshay Kumar, so the storyline surrenders to set-piece comedy and action sequences. But Boss is not terrible. Ronit is deserves half star out of the two and a half rating, Anupama Chopra writes.

War Chhod Na Yaar, a satire on constantly warring India and Pakistan, has a few fun moments. Debutant writer-director Faraz Haider creates a genuinely nice scene in which soldiers on opposite sides of the barbed wire play antakshri. Anupama Chopra writes.

The Lunchbox is my favourite love story of the year. It’s sweet, sad and deeply aching. Debutant director Ritesh Batra captures the harrowing loneliness that a metropolis like Mumbai fosters and the hope of happiness that glimmers. Anupama Chopra writes.

Every 10 minutes or so, you hit a low point and think that the film can't possibly sink any further, but Kumar and co-writer Milap Milan Zaveri surprise you. They lower the bar yet again, writes Anupama Chopra.

I thought that in the age of Google, filmmakers would be reluctant to flat-out steal someone else’s work. Without a hint of discomfort, debutant director Ahishor Solomon lifts plot, scenes and dialogue from the crime thriller Box 507, writes Anupama Chopra.

That Zanjeer was a classic. This remake is wrong on so many levels that I don’t know where to begin. This isn’t a film. It’s sacrilege. Zanjeer starts with a song in which a scantily clad woman writhes in chains — zanjeer, get it?

I don’t know about you but for me a good film is like a tequila shot — I get giddy on it. And when a Bollywood film gives me a high, I feel like screaming from the rooftops. I loved Shuddh Desi Romance and I think you will too.

If good intentions were enough to make good movies, Satyagraha would be a masterpiece. It tries to say so much that it ends up saying very little. The impact is diluted by a plot that lurches from one event to the next without offering anything new. Anupama Chopra writes.

Watching Madras Café is both frustrating and satisfying. The thriller, set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war, is, in equal parts, muddled and moving. There are sequences of power and eloquence.

Halfway into Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobaara!, Akshay Kumar playing the all-powerful, Dawood-style, murderous mafia don Shoaib, declares: “Villain hoon main, villain.” Anupama Chopra writes.

It breaks my heart to tell you that Chennai Express left me cold. This hyper, eager-to-please Rahul sorely tested my patience. And after a while, the innumerable references to DDLJ seemed like a lazy shot at siphoning some of the enduring affection we have for that film. Anupama Choprawrites.

B.A. Pass holds your interest as long as Bahl sticks to Sikka’s darkly twisted story. But each time he diverges -- including his choice of the film’s cheesy name the narrative wobbles. Still, it is much better than its tacky posters let on. Anupama Chopra writes.

Fukrey is a genial romp about four lower middle-class boys in Delhi who embark upon a harebrained scheme to raise money but eventually find out that there are no short cuts in life. Anupama Chopra writes.

At one point in Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, Paramveer, played by Sunny Deol, looks up at the skies and exclaims: Not fair Rabba. I felt exactly that after watching this incoherent mess of a movie, writes Anupama Chopra.

There is enough eye-candy in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani to see you through, but I wish the film had more meat and less dressing. I’m disappointed because there is a truckload of talent here. What rankles is what might have been, writes Anupama Chopra.

National Award-winning actor Irrfan Khan turns producer with The Lunchbox, directed by debutant Ritesh Batra. The film premiered to rave reviews in Critics’ Week, a festival sidebar for first and second films of directors. Anupama Chopra chats him up.

This year, the festival had a decidedly ‘desi’ flavour. The 100th year of Indian cinema was celebrated with screenings, stars and an official sit-down dinner for 300-odd people, hosted by festival president Gilles Jacob and general delegate Thierry Frémaux. Anupama Chopra reports.

We’ve started to make an impression, and this year, The Lunchbox and Monsoon Shootout have furthered the cause. My hope is that next year, we will see an Indian film in the main competition section. That would be a real India Day! Anupama Chopra writes.

I think the most inspiring India narrative at Cannes is Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He has three films at the festival — Monsoon Shootout, The Lunchbox, and Bombay Talkies. If you want to go to Cannes, cast Nawazuddin, writes Anupama Chopra.

Amit Kumar’s terrific film Monsoon Shootout must have the blessings of what juror Ang Lee calls, the Film God. Anupama Chopra reports.

We were just settling down for an early dinner at a Chinese restaurant when Jackie Chan walked by. The superstar, accompanied by two people, walked up the narrow street, taking pictures of art in a gallery window.

I’ve interviews followed by the red carpet screening of Francois Ozon’s Competition entry Jeune & Jolie, followed by a spectacular two-hour, four-course dinner hosted by Chivas Regal — that’s what day 2 in Cannes was for me.

A Bollywood zombie comedy -- the idea itself is delicious. Writer-directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK deliver what their zany promos promised, but only for half the film. Post-interval, the film does a zombie on us -- it becomes dead, lumbering and tedious. Anupama Chopra writes.

Bombay Talkies begins with a young man pushing his father against a wall and angrily declaring that he is a homosexual and not a eunuch. From that moment on, you know that this isn't going to be your regular Hindi movie. Anupama Chopra writes.

Aashiqui 2 is about two singers in love. It has the Abhimaan angle of a famous artiste, Rahul, played by Aditya Roy Kapur, discovering a small-town girl, Aarohi, played by Shraddha Kapoor, and mentoring her to glory. Anupama Chopra writes.

Ek Thi Daayan had the potential to be an A-grade horror film but it’s an opportunity lost. However, I’m very curious about what debutant director Kannan Iyer will do next. Anupama Chopra writes.

Nautanki Saala! is based on a frothy French comedy called Après Vous, which means After You. Sadly, much is lost in translation. It is funny in parts but often feels stretched and flat, like champagne without the fizz. Anupama Chopra reports.

Rise of the Zombie has been pitched as Bollywood’s first zombie film. I know zombies are by definition fictitious, dead and determinedly brainless, but after watching this movie, I worried about their feelings.

David Dhawan and Chashme Buddoor are inherently a mismatch. He is the creator of a specific kind of crass comedy, which, at its best, works as zany, energetic, disposable entertainment. Chashme Buddoor, on the other hand, is a classic, a film with a genuine sweetness.

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like