Zero Zero (2020)

Despite its polarizing reception, Aanand L. Rai's Zero (2018) stands as a monumental, albeit flawed, cinematic endeavor, particularly for Bollywood. The film’s technical ambition is immediately evident in its groundbreaking visual effects, meticulously crafting Bauua Singh's dwarfism. This wasn't merely a gimmick but a foundational element that allowed Shah Rukh Khan to deliver one of his most complex and vulnerable performances, eschewing typical heroic tropes for a deeply human portrayal of imperfection and aspiration.

Anushka Sharma, as Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder, offers a masterclass in empathetic acting, embodying intellectual brilliance and emotional fragility with striking authenticity. Katrina Kaif, often typecast, surprises with a nuanced depiction of a lonely superstar, Babita Kumari, revealing the pathos beneath the glamour. Rai’s direction, while sometimes meandering in its narrative arc, boldly explores themes of self-acceptance, societal judgment, and the pursuit of love that transcends physical limitations. The film uses vibrant production design and dynamic choreography in its musical sequences to underscore emotional highs and lows.

Positioned as a grand romantic drama with fantastical elements, Zero challenged the conventional superstar narrative. Its exploration of identity and the human quest for completeness within a bustling Indian landscape makes it a significant, if imperfect, entry in contemporary Bollywood cinema. It's a film that demands discussion, lauded for its technical daring and stellar performances, while critiqued for its narrative inconsistencies. Ultimately, it’s a courageous film about finding greatness in the 'zero' within us.