UAE cinemas: What to watch this weekend

With the UAE cinemas back in business with safety measures in place, there’s a string of Indian films that you can savour on the big screen. If you are facing fatigue from watching series on your laptops, hope is at hand. Here’s a look at the Indian films that are currently playing in the cinemas across the UAE. They aren’t brand new releases, but many movies are being brought back into the cinemas since they weren’t given ample time to shine due to the abrupt closure of cinemas in March due to the coronavirus outbreak. The magic of watching movies on the big screen is back and here are your options on the Indian films front ...

Angrezi Medium (Hindi): This sweet father-daughter tale is acting icon Irrfan Khan’s swan song and due to the coronavirus outbreak, it wasn’t given sufficient time to shine. But all’s not lost. Director Homi Adjania’s story of a doting father of a small town going to bizarre lengths to enrol his daughter into a university in London will get your re-acquainted with Khan’s brilliant charm and charisma. Khan, who died in Mumbai after his prolonged battle with cancer in April, is perfectly cast as the crafty-yet-gullible Champak and if he were in a graduating class he would pass with flying colours for his nuanced performance. His equation with his capricious daughter Taru (Radhika Madan) hits all the right buttons. Their chemistry and their adorable sparring leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling in your heart. Be sure to keep tissues handy. WatchingKhan in action will make you realise how precious and splendid he was on the big screen. In March, Gulf News reviewer gave it 3.5 stars.

Baaghi 3 (Hindi): If you are in the mood to watch a dishy, muscled-up Tiger Shroff and his gleaming torso, then action thriller ‘Baaghi 3’ is right up your street. Shroff may remind you of Rambo with his string of gravity-defying action sequences. While your mind might boggle at the thought of Ronnie, played by Shroff, taking down a militant outfit in Syria single-handedly, this one is for action fans who don’t look for logic or reasoning in a film. It’s not a cerebral film, but watch it if you just want to have some harmless fun with friends and family. In March, Gulf News reviewer gave it 1.5 stars.

Thappad (Hindi): Seasoned actress Taapsee Pannu explores the murky territory of domestic abuse and violence against women in this topical and stirring relationship drama ‘Thappad’, directed by Anubhav Sinha. Pannu is in top form as the docile Amruta who finds her own agency when her husband slaps her at a party in an emotionally-charged moment. It’s an isolated incident which begins to define their relationship from that moment on. Their marital troubles never get nasty but the movie examines wounds and irrevocable scars on relationships tenderly. The searing movie also explores the deep-seated patriarchy among loving Indian families. Gulf News reviewer gave it a whopping 4 out of 5, which makes it a must-watch.

Forensic (Malayalam): Malayalam heartthrob Tovino Thomas plays a medico-legal forensic expert Samuel John Kattukkaran who is on call to crack a serial killer who preys on children. Also starring Mamta Mohandas as a cop leading the investigation, the film has its shining moments. While the climax may seem convoluted, there’s enough to keep you invested in this thriller.

Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal (Tamil): Dulquer Salman and his earnest performance in the romantic thriller ‘Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal’ makes you want to put a ring on it. It’s an unusual love story of two besties who fall in love with two feisty women. The twists and turns in their love saga is unconventional and makes it an engaging watch. Salmaan plays the charming Siddharth who is in love with Meera (Ritu Verma), while his mate Kallis (Raskhan) is in love with Meera’s friend Shreya (Niranjani Ahathiyan). But their relationship hits a rough patch when things take a sinister turn in their lives.