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Journalism of Courage

Manoj Kumar R

Manoj Kumar R began writing for The Indian Express in 2016. He writes reviews and opinion pieces about movies and TV shows. His main focus is everything that happens in South India's vibrant pop cultural scene. He speaks Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam and writes in English. Before joining us, he worked with other publications such as The Week and Deccan Herald. Follow Manoj on Twitter: @ImMKR

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More From Manoj Kumar R

Alone movie review: Why, Mohanlal, why?Subscriber Only

January 26, 2023 18:33 IST

Alone movie review: So what is Alone about? It's about torturing the audience and exploiting our goodwill for Mohanlal. There's no other way to describe the experience of watching this film.

Thu, Jan 26, 2023

Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam movie review: Mammootty’s meditation on universality of human natureSubscriber Only

January 19, 2023 17:21 IST

Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam movie review: Filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery, scene-by-scene, builds our experience around the lifestyle of the village.

Thu, Jan 19, 2023

Thunivu reeks of ignorance, what’s Ajith Kumar doing in this movie?Subscriber Only

January 19, 2023 08:10 IST

Ajith Kumar's Thunivu tells the adventures of a gang led by a notorious gangster, who goes by the street name Dark Devil. The gang takes control of a bank in the centre of Chennai city.

Thu, Jan 19, 2023

Varisu: Vijay’s endearing charm is comfort food for our mindsSubscriber Only

January 14, 2023 09:37 IST

The writers of Vijay's Varisu have done a fantastic job of remaking the old themes into an enjoyable movie.

Sat, Jan 14, 2023

Waltair Veerayya movie review: Neither Chiranjeevi nor Ravi Teja can save this film from drowning in shallownessSubscriber Only

January 13, 2023 16:12 IST

Waltair Veerayya movie review The filmmakers don't want the audience to respond to the character Waltair Veerayya, but they want us to venerate before the star playing Waltair Veerayya.

Fri, Jan 13, 2023

Veera Simha Reddy movie review: This Nandamuri Balakrishna starrer has no soulSubscriber Only

January 12, 2023 16:22 IST

Veera Simha Reddy movie review: The troubling part of Veera Simha Reddy, by that token most of Balakrishna's movies, is that it argues it's okay to kill to solve a problem.

Thu, Jan 12, 2023

Is Vijay the next Rajinikanth? Superstar answered it 20 years agoSubscriber Only

January 09, 2023 08:21 IST

It all started with Varisu producer Dil Raju claiming Vijay was a bigger star than Ajith. And for some reason, the debate took on another layer: Is Vijay bigger than Rajinikanth?

Mon, Jan 09, 2023

Varisu trailer: Films like this made Vijay a top star. So don’t write it off yetSubscriber Only

January 05, 2023 14:07 IST

If you are one of those who were not inspired by the trailer of Vijay's Varisu, don't make the mistake of writing off the film yet. The actual movie could spring a surprise.

Thu, Jan 05, 2023

From Waltair Veerayya to Salaar — 2023’s most-awaited Telugu filmsSubscriber Only

January 04, 2023 14:38 IST

From Chiranjeevi's Waltair Veerayya to Prabhas' Salaar, here is the list of the most-awaited Telugu movies of 2023.

Wed, Jan 04, 2023

Best Malayalam movies of 2022: Bheeshma Parvam, Thallumaala, Hridayam in the listSubscriber Only

December 28, 2022 07:52 IST

As 2022 draws to a close, we list some of the best Malayalam films released this year.

Wed, Dec 28, 2022

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey: The ‘massy’ version of The Great Indian KitchenSubscriber Only

December 27, 2022 07:45 IST

Vipin Das' Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey takes the simple truths we know about the patriarchal attitude towards women and turns them into a fun film.

Tue, Dec 27, 2022

7 best Telugu films of 2022: RRR, Godfather, Karthikeya 2 in the listSubscriber Only

December 27, 2022 06:49 IST

As 2022 draws to an end, here is a list of the best Telugu movies to have come out this year.

Tue, Dec 27, 2022

Worst Malayalam movies of 2022, Mohanlal leads the listSubscriber Only

December 25, 2022 08:30 IST

As we compile our worst Malayalam movies list of 2022, Mohanlal gets three entries in it. And in the year he gave us the superlative Drishyam 2.

Tue, Dec 27, 2022

Vijay Kiragandur on KGF 3, Salaar and future of Indian cinema: ‘Prabhas starrer may beat box office records of our biggest hits so far’Subscriber Only

December 23, 2022 17:29 IST

Hombale Films became a force to reckon with in the Indian film industry after the success of KGF 2 and Kantara.

Fri, Dec 23, 2022

Kaapa movie review: Prithviraj plays an unwise criminal in this unconvincing gangster dramaSubscriber Only

December 22, 2022 17:34 IST

Kaapa film review: Prithviraj's act as Madhu is hard to buy as he comes across as an indecisive and unwise criminal, despite being the head of a crime syndicate.

Fri, Feb 10, 2023

Ariyippu movie review: An intense drama shouldered by Divya Prabha’s terrific performanceSubscriber Only

December 16, 2022 18:11 IST

Ariyippu movie review: Director Mahesh Narayanan aims to achieve a heightened sense of realism with Ariyippu. Divya Prabha's performance as the victim of a malicious campaign is especially devastating.

Fri, Dec 16, 2022

KGF 2, Kantara and beyond: How Kannada film industry emerged as 2022’s biggest success story, and what lies aheadSubscriber Only

December 12, 2022 10:54 IST

2022 is the year that Kannada cinema arrived on the national stage. After decades of hibernation, the film industry finally woke up to the need for embracing competition for the growth of Kannada artists and art beyond its borders.

Tue, Dec 27, 2022

SS Rajamouli retrospective: Baahubali 2 – an inferior sequel to a superior Baahubali 1Subscriber Only

December 08, 2022 19:45 IST

In the seventh edition of our retrospective series, we take a look at SS Rajamouli's epic fantasy Baahubali: The Conclusion.

Fri, Dec 09, 2022

HIT 2 movie review: Adivi Sesh starrer is a significant improvement on HIT 1Subscriber Only

December 02, 2022 17:04 IST

HIT 2 movie review: Sailesh messes up the way he presents and shapes the serial killer. He expects us to give him a lot of leeway and not worry about the glaring holes in the plot.

Fri, Dec 02, 2022

SS Rajamouli retrospective: Baahubali 1 – a spectacle for agesSubscriber Only

December 01, 2022 19:50 IST

In the sixth edition of our retrospective series, we take a look at SS Rajamouli's epic fantasy Baahubali: The Beginning.

Thu, Dec 01, 2022

Gold movie review: Alphonse Puthren reflects on greed in this Prithviraj starrerSubscriber Only

December 01, 2022 16:58 IST

Gold review: This could be the beginning of Alphonse Puthren gravitating towards making films that reflect on social issues and the ongoing spiritual bankruptcy of society.

Thu, Dec 01, 2022

Why ‘Avatar 2: The Way of Water’ might not release in Kerala theatresSubscriber Only

November 30, 2022 20:11 IST

With its prequel 'Avatar' earning more than $2.92 billion in ticket sales, it would be difficult to forego the release completely. Here's what the dispute in Kerala is about.

Wed, Nov 30, 2022

Gold: What’s going on Prithviraj, Alphonse Puthren?Subscriber Only

November 30, 2022 16:38 IST

Is Prithviraj miffed with Alphonse Puthren? Does the actor-filmmaker think Gold is beyond saving and decided to distance himself from the film, so it won't hurt him much, should it fail? What is going on with the makers of Malayalam movie Gold.

Wed, Nov 30, 2022