When you’re deciding whether to watch a new Bollywood film, where do you turn? Not to the trailer. Not to the social media hype. Not even to your friend who says, ‘It’s a classic!’ You want someone who’s seen hundreds of movies, doesn’t take bribes, and tells it like it is. That’s the kind of critic you trust. And in India, that person isn’t on a big streaming platform or a flashy TV show. It’s someone who’s been writing reviews for over 30 years, mostly in print, and still gets read by millions.

Shubhra Gupta: The Voice That Never Shouts

Shubhra Gupta, senior critic at The Indian Express, is the most trusted movie critic in India. Not because she gives the most stars. Not because she’s the loudest. But because she’s consistent, clear, and never plays favorites. She doesn’t review every film. She picks the ones that matter - the ones that reflect culture, politics, or craft. And when she says a movie is bad, she tells you exactly why: the script is hollow, the performances are forced, the editing is chaotic. No vague phrases like ‘it’s a mixed bag.’

Her review of Article 15 (2019) didn’t just say it was powerful. She wrote: ‘It’s the rare film that makes you feel the weight of caste without turning it into a sermon.’ That’s the kind of insight people remember. She doesn’t rate films on a 5-star scale. She writes in paragraphs. And readers trust her because she’s never wrong about the heart of a film.

Why Trust Matters More Than Popularity

There are plenty of critics with big followings on YouTube or Instagram. Some have millions of subscribers. But how many of them have ever reviewed a film they didn’t get paid to promote? How many have turned down free tickets because the studio asked them to ‘be positive’? That’s the difference.

Shubhra Gupta has turned down offers from studios to attend exclusive screenings - not because she’s arrogant, but because she refuses to be part of the PR machine. She reviews films based on what’s on screen, not what’s in the press kit. That’s rare. And that’s why when she says a film like Chhichhore (2019) is ‘a well-meaning mess,’ people listen. They know she’s not trying to sell you something.

In a world where influencer reviews are sponsored and YouTube critics get paid per view, her independence is her credibility. She doesn’t need clicks. She doesn’t need views. She needs readers who want the truth.

How She Reviews: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Shubhra doesn’t watch films on a laptop at home. She goes to theaters. She sits in the middle. She watches the audience. She notes when people laugh at the wrong moment. When they stir in their seats. When they leave early. That’s part of her review process. She doesn’t just judge the film - she judges how it connects with real people.

Her reviews are never rushed. She writes them the day after watching, after letting the film settle. She doesn’t do quick takes. She doesn’t do hot takes. She does deep takes. Her review of Article 15 was 1,200 words. Her review of Thappad (2020) was 1,500. That’s not because she’s long-winded. It’s because she’s thorough.

She reads scripts before filming starts. She talks to directors and writers. She doesn’t just watch the final cut - she understands the journey. That’s why her critiques cut deeper than anyone else’s.

Other Critics Who Earn Respect

Shubhra isn’t the only one. There are others who’ve built trust over time. Anupama Chopra, with her calm tone and deep knowledge of film history, has been a voice of reason since the 1990s. Her reviews on Film Companion are widely read, but she’s more of a commentator than a critic - she often interviews filmmakers rather than judging the work.

Then there’s Raja Sen, who writes with sharp wit and a deep love for cinema. His reviews on NDTV are sharp, sometimes funny, always honest. He doesn’t hold back - he called Sanju (2018) ‘a hagiography dressed as a biopic.’ That kind of clarity earns respect.

But none of them match Shubhra’s consistency. She’s been doing this for three decades. She’s reviewed films from the 1990s to 2025. She’s seen the rise and fall of every trend - from song-and-dance extravaganzas to gritty social dramas. She’s seen stars become legends and legends become irrelevant. And she’s never changed her standards.

What Makes a Critic Trustworthy in India?

Here’s what you need to trust a critic in India:

• No paid promotions - if they review a film because they got a free trip to Goa, walk away.
• Long track record - someone who’s been writing for 15+ years has seen enough to know what’s real.
• Focus on craft, not stars - if they spend more time talking about the lead actor’s outfit than the screenplay, they’re not a critic.
• No clickbait - headlines like ‘This movie will change your life!’ are red flags.
• Writes for print - if they only post online, they’re chasing views. Print critics write for readers, not algorithms.

Shubhra Gupta checks every box.

Why This Matters in 2025

Today, Indian audiences have more choices than ever. Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ Hotstar, MX Player, SonyLIV - you can watch a new film every day. But with so much content, how do you know what’s worth your time? That’s where trusted critics come in.

Algorithms don’t care if a film is meaningful. They care if it keeps you scrolling. Influencers don’t care if a film is well-made. They care if it gets likes. But a real critic? They care if the film says something true.

That’s why Shubhra Gupta still matters. In a world of noise, she’s the quiet voice that tells you what’s real. And in a country where cinema is culture, that’s priceless.

Where to Find Her Reviews

Shubhra Gupta’s reviews appear every Friday in The Indian Express’s entertainment section. They’re also archived on their website. No subscription is needed. No app. No login. Just clear, honest writing. She doesn’t have a YouTube channel. She doesn’t tweet hot takes. She doesn’t do reels. She writes. And that’s enough.

If you want to know whether a film is worth your time - not your money, not your attention, but your time - read her review first.