Crew was my favourite film during the first three months of 2024, though it was far from perfect. I had high hopes for an awesome heist comedy. However, the film never quite reached its full potential. Despite featuring a star-studded cast and a promising concept, its execution was a little disappointing. One aspect that shone was the trio of leading ladies. Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon dazzled on screen with their charm and elegance, putting life into their characters. Their performances added some much-needed interest to the movie, covering some of its flaws. The film also seemed to lack humour, and did not make us laugh as much as it promised to in the trailer. The narrative in the first half was boring as it only dwelt on the miserable life conditions of the air hostesses of The Kohinoor. Even in the second half, there was not much to hold the audience’s attention, except during the climax. To sum up, Crew is a visually appealing but ultimately forgettable film. It falls short of delivering the heist comedy story it initially promised. (Which was your favourite Hindi film in the first three months of 2024?... April 18)

Dayita Chakraborty

My favourite Hindi film in the first three months of 2024 is undoubtedly Merry Christmas. It is not just a film but a piece of pure art. It is cinema at its best. An outstanding thriller and a beautiful love story is a rare combination and very few films can do justice to it. Backed by a fantastic performance from Vijay Sethupathi and a career best performance by Katrina Kaif, Merry Christmas is definitely one of the finest movies of the year. And that brilliant climax is going to stay with me for a long time.

Ritrisha Banerjee

My favourite Hindi film of the first quarter of 2024 is Article 370. Though geographically a part of India, Jammu & Kashmir was restricted to being a different entity that lacked the tag of a democracy. It was always on the brink of disaster and danger, with the people being helpless victims of the political situation.

The people of Kashmir saw light at the end of tunnel on the day the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution took place. The movie paid tribute to the people who suffered for decades. The directer did a splendid job by casting Yami Gautam and Priyamani who served as mirrors, portraying the lives of those clamped down by a state of despair. The screenplay writer may however have distorted a few facts which were probably made to make the movie enjoyable and acceptable to the audience. The movie stole our hearts as it carried a social message that in a republic like India, each and every citizen has an equal democratic right. Through the film, we also got a real-life picture of Kashmir before the historic judgment was proclaimed by the Supreme Court.

Bhola Nath Das

Out of an exciting line-up, I would pick Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, Merry Christmas and Crew as my favourite Hindi films in the first three months of 2024.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya marked a quirky amalgamation of science fiction and rom-com, infusing a dash of sparkling energy among the audience. Introducing the fresh pairing of Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, the film scores high with its humorous dialogues and blockbuster soundtrack. Definitely a light-hearted family entertainer!

Sriram Raghavan’s Merry Christmas was a sumptuous slice of a romantic thriller enchanting the viewers with an unconventional storyline and a delightful colour palette, painting the famous landmarks of Mumbai artistically. Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi delivered scintillating performances, proving their commendable acting prowess. The fact that it underperformed at the box office underlines our inability as an audience to appreciate a cinematic masterpiece like this.

Ruling as one of the highest-grossing films of the year so far, Crew easily ticks off every box of expectations, proving itself as a mirthful heist comedy film. The trinity of Kareena, Kriti and Tabu left an indelible impression on the audience with their spectacular performances and top-notch fashion tastes. Ranging from foot-tapping dance numbers to subtle jokes, the film shines as a riveting joyride filled with immense fun and laughter.

Aayman Anwar Ali

My favourite Hindi film in the first three months of 2024 was undoubtedly Laapataa Ladies. Revolving around the quandary of two brides going missing from the same train, the film weaves a compelling narrative around an assorted group of characters from the heartland of India and masterfully depicts the many social issues plaguing them. At its heart, the film beautifully showcases female friendships and solidarity in a way that is sadly missing in Indian cinema. Kiran Rao’s directorial prowess shines through the nuanced and impactful approach adopted to deliver the film’s core message of female empowerment. Cinema is said to be a mirror to society and films like Laapataa Ladies truly exemplify that adage by serving as a poignant and powerful reminder for society.

Rupanjali Samadder

Merry Christmas was the first movie which I saw in the year 2024. It became a part of my favourites list instantly. An unusual romance between two lead protagonists, an excellent portrayal by Vijay Sethupathi, soothing music and an interesting storyline attracted me to the film. The cinematographer of this movie chose a retro look which created mysterious and heart-touching scenes. The movie is not loud but subtle in every section and this calmness wins my heart.

I also liked Crew, which was released in March 2024. This movie is a comedy-drama but a unique one. In it, we got three strong female leads and enjoyed their performance throughout the movie. The story was not in mint condition, but the treatment was nice. The dialogue of Crew was exciting enough; most of it holds deep meaning but sounded funny. So, it was a good, entertaining movie that conveyed some important messages to our patriarchal society.

Sarbani Banerjee

Merry Christmas has to be my favourite movie from the list of movies released in the first three months of 2024. The movie wins with its unprecedented twist of tales, without imposing any exaggeration in its climax. It felt as if I was teleported to the scenes playing out, and the film was a delightful watch indeed.

Ishani Sen

My favourite Hindi film in the first three months of 2024 undoubtedly was Fighter. I hugely loved this Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor starrer aerial action movie. The story of the movie, which is high on patriotism, touched my heart. Hrithik, no doubt, delivered one of his career-best performances in the film in the role of top combat aviator Shamsher Pathania aka Patty. The actor was a treat to watch in that action flick. Plus, all the stunning, thrilling, high-octane, adrenaline-pumping aerial combat scenes of the movie also made the Siddharth Anand directorial an immensely enjoyable watch for me. According to me, this fantastic movie is one of the most entertaining patriotic action dramas of Bollywood.

Sourish Misra