We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
The Royals: Here’s a royal treat! Set in a fictional town in Rajasthan, Morpur, this series is a masala love story between the rajkumar of Morpur, Aviraaj Singh, played by Ishaan Khatter and aam kumari Sofia Kanmani Shekar—yes, we can hear the collective sigh—played by Bhumi Pednekar, who is an entrepreneur looking for properties to convert into luxury B&Bs. Both of them team up to save Morpur’s Moti Mahal, where the royalty lives. The star-studded cast includes Sakshi Tanwar, Zeenat Aman, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, Milind Soman aur Dino Morea.
Reviews are a little meh. Scroll says Ishaan Khatter gives The Royals much-needed emotional depth, conviction and allure” but but but “like the show deserved better clothes, Khatter deserved a better script.” Indian Express didn’t like the chemistry between our prince and commoner and retorted: “There’s more sizzle between the middle-aged Rajmata (Tanwar) and her on-and-off partners.” Our take: We cannot wait to hate-watch the series! The eight-episode series has dropped on Netflix.
Gram Chikitsalay: From the makers of ‘Panchayat’, this is another rural show—this time it shows us the workings and struggles of a village hospital—such as rats running in the lab and expired medicines in the cabinet, not to mention the superstitious patients. The series focuses on young, idealistic and brilliant doctor Prabhat, played by Amol Parashar, who has to learn their ways and also bring order to the chaos. Also starring: Vinay Pathak, Anandeshwar Dwivedi and Akash Makhija.
Reviews are more or less good. MoneyControl gives it a rave review: “This isn’t a show that tries to dazzle with drama—it just wants to tell a good, honest story about a doctor, a village, and the quiet ways people change each other. And it succeeds. ‘Gram Chikitsalay’ is earthy, sincere, and thoroughly enjoyable.” OTOH Hindustan Times criticises the show and writes “Gram Chikitsalay suffers from a case of narrative inertia, where the show thinks through every detail but rarely acts upon it with a stricter gaze.” Our take: If you’re someone looking for a show just like ‘Panchayat’ and ‘Dupahiya’, this one’s for you! Stream it on Amazon Prime!
Nonnas: In this warm-hearted dramedy inspired by a real Staten Island restaurant, Vince Vaughn plays Joe, an MTA worker grieving the loss of his mother. Hoping to honor her memory, he opens a restaurant run entirely by Italian grandmothers—non-professional cooks whose recipes have been passed down through generations. As the nonnas cook and clash in the kitchen, Joe discovers that food isn’t just nourishment—it’s love.
Reviews are so-so. Variety says that though the film may be a messy meal, it goes down easy with its heart-on-its-sleeve message that “each forkful packs a tasty homage to where they come from and to the people who loved them.” Hollywood Reporter sees the film as a nostalgic comedy about opening a restaurant with four grandmothers, "celebrating women in their 70s and 80s without the strained sensibility of typical 'old gals' comedies." Our take: Our take: Come for the charming grandmothers and stay for the heartwarming story of second chances. Now streaming on Netflix.
Long Way Home: In this travel adventure series, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman ride vintage motorcycles from Scotland to England, taking a scenic, 10,000-mile route across Europe and Scandinavia. Along the way, they immerse themselves in local cultures, explore stunning landscapes, and share moments of camaraderie, all while reflecting on the slower pace of life after years of thrilling adventures.
Reviews are generally positive. The Guardian says that, in their fourth season of ‘Long Way Home’, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman "take it back to basics," embarking on a slower, more intimate adventure across Europe on vintage bikes, offering "a smoother, largely agreeable ride" despite its occasional meandering pace. The Telegraph OTOH says that Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's easygoing journey across Europe "takes the Top Gear template" but lacks the chemistry and jeopardy, feeling more like "a big budget Wish You Were Here on bikes." Our take: For laid-back vibes, vintage bikes, and a stunning European road trip—just don't expect too much drama. Catch it on Apple TV+.
The Match: Think ‘The Queen's Gambit’ but make it Korean! Go is a strategy board game just like chess and checkers—popularly played in China, Korea, and Japan. The movie recreates the battle of two IRL go legends Cho Hun-hyun and the prodigy whom he mentors Lee Chang-ho. It is set between the 1980s and 1990s, when go gained popularity in Korea and captures the rise of the game as well as the rise of the kid who challenges his master—Cho Hun-hyun—played by the veteran actor Lee Byung-hu.
We could find only one review. The Korea Times likes the movie because: “What makes ‘The Match’ stand out is how carefully it recreates the world of go. From the smoky rooms of Korea's go associations to the intense atmosphere of international tournaments, every scene feels real.” Our take: We are intrigued by the subject and the plot of this dramatised sports thriller. You can watch it on Netflix.
Here’s a new chapter…
Full Speed Season 2: Season 2 of ‘Full Speed’ on Netflix takes us behind the scenes of NASCAR’s thrilling playoffs, featuring drivers like Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, and William Byron. While the season captures some emotional moments and offers insight into the drivers’ personal lives, it doesn’t quite live up to the magic of the first season, with fewer mic’d-up moments and less drama. The wives take center stage this time, showing more personality, while the season focuses on race manipulation, heartbreaks, and the unpredictable nature of the sport. Catch it now on Netflix.
Poker Face Season 2: The Season 2 of this series, with Natasha Lyonne (of ‘Russian Doll’ fame) in the lead, maintains the new story every week format. Charlie Cale (Natasha’s character) also retains the ability to tell the truth when a suspect is lying. New crimes that feel old but inventive make up the season. There are also a bunch of guest appearances to look out for. Watch it on JioHotstar.
Conan O'Brien Must Go Season 2: Conan O'Brien is back with his travel series! This time he’s going to Spain, New Zealand and Austria—and will meet his buddies Javier Bardem and Taika Waititi! The episodes will be updated weekly. The first one dropped on Thursday on Apple TV+.
Fresh off the big screen…
Good Bad Ugly: A former gangster, AK, who had once surrendered, returns from prison and to the mafia 18 years later. The reason? His young son has been arrested for possession of drugs. There’s the discovery of a new gang, a money heist, some relationship drama, all set in Spain. The Tamil film stars Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan in the lead. Watch it on Netflix.
