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The Vvaan - Review

meeta — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:56:15 +0000

wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do ^(?)

quick review:

When mythology takes fantasy for granted it produces a Goddess that needs a man to save her; and supposedly also an item number and comic relief to make her myth commercially viable.

Review

The Vvaan took me to the stories that are told during poojas*. Only that it doesn't do any more than I would have imagined. And therefore, I spent most of the time watching the movie in wondering about why they chose the spelling vvaan when they meant it to be van with a short-a meaning forest. Of course, obviously, they didn't want it to be pronounced like the vehicle, van. But then why not go for vann like is often done with mann. Maybe there was some astrology involved because the tagline has forest spelt with 2 Rs as in forrest. The point being that the film's title engaged me more than what was going on, on screen. That, and asking the person in the audience who was watching videos/reels out loud during the movie. Yeah. Problematic.

But, so is the film. It has problems and is problematic at many levels. For starters, it finds a lot of its humour in either body-shaming and punching down or cheap, non-sensical comic relief. There is some character revelation through sarcasm and satire, but that doesn't last too long. It pretty much follows the "tell, don't show" rule of story-telling. It believes humans protect their Gods. And then tops it off with a Goddess needing protection from a man.

The background music does nothing to elaborate the fear one should feel when the villains are on screen. The only powerful rhythm used is the well-established "mahishaasura mardini", which thankfully is used liberally. But, then you also have the commercial needs of using an item number. I guess, we are only to be grateful that it is not used as an end-credit number and is used only as a gratuitous song and dance number.

And no, we cannot even tell if any of the actors could have taken the material above what it was. They do what they have been doing in all their previous outings—from Sidharth Malhotra to Tamannaah Bhatia to Sulabha Arya to Maniesh Paul.

It is difficult to take a film seriously when it doesn't want to do so itself. You cannot make me fear for the protagonist's or his family's or his village's life when barely any of the characters have redeemable qualities. It doesn't help that what might have been discovered by our ancestors through intelligence, wisdom and logic is passed on as 'tradition'.

Well, that is what you get when the movie's priorities are clear. The makers ignore the glaring chance to have mythology support the "Save our forests from 'development'." That says a lot, doesn't it? If that agenda was intentionally set aside, the least we can have is a well-made film with a decently written story and characters.
~ ~ ~
ritualistic veneration performed at almost every Hindu festival
it is one of my favourite hymn rhythms.

- meeta, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Lots, and some gory too.
Language: Clean
Nudity & Sexual content: None
Concept: A forest Goddess needs protection
General Look and Feel: Bright and light

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction: 1.5
Story: 2.5
Lead Actors: 2.5
Character Artists: 2

Dialogues: 2.5
Screenplay: 1
Music Director: 1.5
Lyrics: 1.5

The Vvaan - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: Balaji Telefilms Ltd, TVF Motion Pictures
Producer: Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Niraj Kothari, Arunabh Kumar
Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra
Lead Cast: Sidharth Malhotra , Tamannaah Bhatia
Supporting Cast: Sulabha Arya, Sunil Grover, Maniesh Paul , Shweta Tiwari, Anup Soni
Story: Arunabh Kumar
Screenplay: Arunabh Kumar
Dialogues: Anandeshwar Dwivedi
Cinematography: Manu Anand
Editor: Nitin Baid
Background Score: Sandeep Shirodkar
Music Director: Amit Trivedi , Tanishk Bagchi, Vishal Mishra, Sam C.S.
Lyrics: Shabbir Ahmed, Manoj Muntashir, Tanishk Bagchi
Costume Designer: Niharika Bhasin
Running time: 135 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology

Daayra - External Reviews

meeta — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:30:27 +0000

30 reviewers have given Daayra an average rating of 3.8/5.0 ^(?)

19 yays

3 nays

8 so-so

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

wogma rating: Watch but no rush ^(?)

quick review:

Do you have faith in the judicial system? Are you ok with the response time? Do criminals deserve justice? Can cops play God? If a movie makes you ask so many questions, it has done something right, even if it isn't well-paced or detailed.

Thumbs up by subhash K jha, Bolly Spice ...What is truly admirable here is the varnished intentions of the narration. No one is in this for the thrills. It feels so much like life, and not in a pleasant, comforting way. And yet it is a voice that must be heard.... full review

Thumbs up by Pranati A S, Deccan Herald ...Kareena and Prithviraj deliver stunning performances. While Prithviraj’s conviction for what he believes in comes through, Kareena clearly steals the show with a layered performance. She beautifully balances the internal battle between her personal empathy and anger as a woman and the cop who abides by the law, believing that justice will prevail even when it takes time. And let’s not forget to mention her stunner introduction in pink.... full review

Thumbs up by Priyanka Gupta, DNA ...The pacing does dip in a few places, but the central conflict remains strong. Daayra is a serious crime drama that trusts its actors and writing to carry the weight of its subject.... full review

Thumbs up by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare ...There are no easy answers here. Daayra occasionally tilts towards one side of its argument and gives Prithviraj the more compelling dramatic journey, but its refusal to provide a final verdict is ultimately appropriate. It is a hard-hitting, earthy crime drama that understands that the most disturbing part of a terrible crime may not be the crime itself, but what society chooses to do in its aftermath.... full review

Thumbs up by Murtuza Iqbal, Free Press Journal ...Daayra has only one song that comes at the end of the film. Amit Trivedi composed it, B Praak sang it, and veteran writer and lyricist Gulzar wrote it. While Sach Ka Daayra grabs our attention, it is Ketan Sodha's amazing background score that impresses us most and creates the perfect tense atmosphere for the film.... full review

Thumbs up by Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Gulf News ...Watch Daayra for Prithviraj, and for the family that grounds this film in real grief. Just don't expect the second half to move as briskly as the first.... full review

Thumbs up by Anindita Mukhopadhyay, India TV ...Daayra is not an easy watch, and that is largely the point. It is a not a thriller but a crime drama that wants you to question the idea of justice rather than simply consume a familiar cop story. Kareena Kapoor Khan is controlled and convincing, while Prithviraj Sukumaran brings enough complexity to a morally difficult character. Meghna Gulzar once again creates a world where the answers are not handed to you. It may not be her finest work, but Daayra is still a film worth watching for the 'uncomfortable' truth it leaves you with.... full review

Thumbs up by Rajiv Vijayakar, koimoi ...Amit Trivedi’s single song is alright, ditto Gulzar’s lyrics. Full marks and more are due to Ketan Sodha’s mood background score, Saurabh Goswami’s perfectly apt camerawork and the editing scissorhands Meghna Gulzar and Charu Shree Roy, who ensure that there is not one extra frame in the narrative.... full review

Thumbs up by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY ...Frankly, your sympathies on the matter could swing both ways. The issue is much larger than a particular, real-life event. I have an answer. You may have another. Glad the film asks the question, and leaves it at that.... full review

Thumbs up Movie Talkies ...As a whole, Daayra is a MUST WATCH for several reasons, but your own reason may only become clear once you have finished watching it.... full review

Thumbs up by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV ...Director Meghna Gulzar, returning to the domain of crime, inquisition and punishment that Talvar explored, adopts an aptly workaday storytelling style enlivened by dazzling editing.... full review

Thumbs up by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes ...Another major qualm of mine is that we know nearly nothing about Raman's personal life. Who is he off-duty? We meet his wife thrice; she flashes a smile and leaves, adding nothing to the film. Nonetheless, despite these issues, Daayra is watchable because of Sukumaran's memorable performance and its relevant themes. Like Anubhav Sinha's recent film Assi, it unsettles and enrages you.... full review

Thumbs up by Netra Brid, Pinkvilla ...Ultimately, Daayra is a gripping and uncomfortable watch that stays with you beyond the end credits. Its most significant achievement is not providing an answer but making the audience question their own idea of justice. For viewers looking for a crime thriller, Meghna Gulzar’s film offers plenty to think about long after leaving the theatre.... full review

Thumbs up by Sukanya Verma, Rediff ...What works is the gentle tone of their dialogue, which respectfully hears out each other's point of view yet holds on to one's style of taking the trash out. Its unresolved, noncommittal conclusion is exactly the sort of anticlimactic reality Daayra wants to bring our attention to. Neither justice nor revenge can undo the fate met by the world's Nirbhayas or Arushis.... full review

Thumbs up by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu ...A gritty examination of the cost of instant retribution, the police procedural, anchored by a fantastic Prithviraj Sukumaran and an unusually off-key Kareena Kapoor Khan, probes the grey area where the line between justice and vengeance blurs.... full review

Thumbs up by Sahir Avik D’souza, The Quint ...Subpar Direction In particular, Gulzar’s handling of her actors can be very hit-and-miss. Achint Kaur and Kanwaljit Singh are wasted in tiny roles. The scene with Kaur is so amateurishly staged that it comes off looking less like the undercover operation it is meant to be and more like reality TV. On the other hand, Trupti Khamkar is very watchable as a policewoman with guts and strength, one who gives chase and flattens criminals bare-handed. It is good to see Khamkar as a cop opposite Kapoor Khan again, but in a vastly different film. They were both in the caper Crew, where Khamkar was hilarious.... full review

Thumbs up by Agnivo Niyogi, The Telegraph ...That is what makes the conflict between Raman and Ajooni interesting. Daayra doesn't simply put a “good cop” against a “bad cop”. Both believe they are pursuing justice. Their disagreement is about what justice should look like when the law and conscience pull in different directions.... full review

Thumbs up by Mimansa Shekhar, Times Now ...Daayra is a riveting and significant crime drama. Meghna Gulzar treats the subject with seriousness and Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran give performances that lend emotional and moral weight to the investigation. The film's focus is pertinent for a memorable theatrical experience with honest performances, thoughtful direction and a socially relevant theme. The result is a cinema that seems timely, serious and emotionally involving. Daayra might prove a significant addition to Hindi cinema's burgeoning crop of socially conscious investigative dramas.... full review

Thumbs up by Renuka Vyavahare, Times of India ...Ultimately, Daayra is less interested in asking who committed the crime than in asking what we are willing to accept in the name of justice. It examines the uncomfortable space between law and morality, procedure and closure, patience and rage. It raises the right questions, even if its central confrontation needed sharper, more evenly matched arguments.... full review

So-So by Aakash Kumar, Filmi Beat ...Daayra is not an easy watch. Its subject is disturbing, and the film does not completely hide the harsh reality surrounding the crime. It looks at justice from different angles and asks where the line should be drawn when police officers are dealing with brutal criminals.... full review

So-So by Nitin Jain, Glamsham.com ...Daayra ultimately works better as a straightforward crime thriller than as the deeper examination of justice and accountability that its opening half promises. Yet, at a time when audiences have been subjected to a steady run of disappointing films, there is something reassuring about simply getting a film that gives you a reason to stay with it.... full review

So-So by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times ...Overall, Daayra raises a question far more uncomfortable than the one it begins with: when the system itself becomes part of the story, where does justice really begin? The film has enough moral complexity to make that question linger, even if its trajectory and pace blunt some of its impact. By the time the end credits roll, you are left with a film that has substance and clearly wants to provoke thought, but could have used a little more fire to truly leave a mark.... full review

So-So by Shweta Keshri, india today ...The film is worth a watch, but may leave you wanting more from it than it is willing to give.... full review

So-So by Tatas Chowdhury, News18.com ...For the most part, Daayra manages to turn its gaze towards the uneasy line between revenge and justice while also examining media trials. Its ideological clash makes for a compelling idea and it could’ve given the film a far more layered moral complexity. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always put those beliefs through enough consequences to make the debate truly resonate.... full review

So-So by AISHANI BISWAS, Outlook India ...Gulzar understands the world she is examining, from the police station and the paperwork to the anger surrounding a brutal crime. More importantly, she understands what happens to people when that system fails them. Daayra leaves its central question hanging in the air: when justice takes too long, does that ever give anyone the right to take it into their own hands?... full review

So-So by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in ...The standout performances include a heart-tugging Kshitee Jog. Prithviraj Sukumaran sharply channels Raman’s smug awareness that whatever the outcome of Ajooni’s findings, he gets to be the hero.... full review

So-So by Kartik Bhardwaj, the new Indian Express ...Daayra needed to explore more of that. Something beyond binaries. A pain that can’t be boxed into right or wrong.... full review

Thumbs down by Shubhra Gupta, indian express ...Of the cast, Prithviraj comes off best of the lot, in a contained but effective performance, along with Jitendra Joshi and Trupti Khamkar, as junior colleagues who know exactly how to catch a fleeing criminal.... full review

Thumbs down by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint ...a... full review

Daayra - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: Junglee Pictures , Pen Studios
Producer: Dhaval Gada, Kushal Kantilal Gada, Jayantilal Gada, Vineet Jain , Amrita Pandey
Director: Meghna Gulzar
Lead Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran
Supporting Cast: Jitendra Joshi, Kshiti Jog, Trupti Khamkar, Kanwaljeet Singh, Pragati Mishra, Prammod Sanghi, Sumali Khaniwale, Upendra Chauhan, Man Singh Karamati, Md Ashanul Haque, Aarti Desai, Satish Badal, Sumit Raina, Inzmam, Ashutosh Kumar Gupta, Biswapati Sarkar
Story: Meghna Gulzar , Sima Agarwal, Yash Keswani
Cinematography: Saurabh Goswami
Editor: Meghna Gulzar , Charu Shree Roy
Background Score: Ketan Sodha
Music Director: Amit Trivedi , Ketan Sodha
Lyrics: Gulzar
Costume Designer: Karishma Sharma
Running time: 145 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Crime

Daayra - Review

meeta — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:11:06 +0000

wogma rating: Watch but no rush ^(?)

quick review:

Review

A film that makes you uncomfortable. A film that makes you introspect over your beliefs. Is a film that has been made reasonably well. But the pacing is uneven enough for it to come in the way of you being completely engrossed.

The audience is spending way too much time on watching people get in and out of cars. The chase sequence is long enough for you to notice that this locality—with festively lit-up houses so close to each other—is almost empty!

Then you have scenes that make you question their existence. Like the one in which a character is asked to read English in Devanagari script. I get the satire, but it didn't relate to anything else in the movie. Same goes for a character asking another to be unbiased but behaving like they have already made a judgement in every scene before and after. This last one could be intentional, but it's distracting nevertheless.

All this would have been alright had it executed the onus it had taken on well—presenting the argument from both sides—justice delayed versus media trial; justice delayed versus police encounters. While it manages to make you uncomfortable, especially disturbing is the rape scene, the debate doesn't go beyond a coffee table discussion.

The actors aren’t able to sink too deep in their characters. Now, that could be an issue with what they were asked to do. But every expression seems disconnected from the previous one thus bringing a jerky feeling to the narrative.

Thus, you are left with something half-baked. You feel the anger, but the frustration seems superficial. The arguments on each side get you interested but don't take a deep dive. So even though I believe that no human should be allowed to take another's life, I do get enticed into thinking, "Just this once." Or "The world can do with one less dirty person. Or four." But Daayra doesn't capitalise on that to make a conversion.

I would venture that the makers want to convince in the other direction—that the law should take its course. But I'd think that the film's execution is stacked against that tilted, even if slightly, towards instant justice. It does feel like the makers want to at least pretend that they are holding things in balance. But, you can see the heart is in one place, and the head is in the other.

That sentiment can't be held against the film because it is relatable to the audience. But is it an unbiased take if the viewer can tell that? For now, though, we can be just glad that the discussion has been brought to the screen.

- meeta, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Police brutality, rape, people being shot down.
Language: A few curse words.
Nudity & Sexual content: No nudity but there is a rape scene.
Concept: Questioning our faith in the judicial system. Police overreach versus justice for all.
General Look and Feel: Intense, serious, dark.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction: 2.5
Story: 2.5
Lead Actors: 2.5
Character Artists: 4

Dialogues: 2.5
Screenplay: 1.5
Music Director:
Lyrics:

Daayra - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: Junglee Pictures , Pen Studios
Producer: Dhaval Gada, Kushal Kantilal Gada, Jayantilal Gada, Vineet Jain , Amrita Pandey
Director: Meghna Gulzar
Lead Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran
Supporting Cast: Jitendra Joshi, Kshiti Jog, Trupti Khamkar, Kanwaljeet Singh, Pragati Mishra, Prammod Sanghi, Sumali Khaniwale, Upendra Chauhan, Man Singh Karamati, Md Ashanul Haque, Aarti Desai, Satish Badal, Sumit Raina, Inzmam, Ashutosh Kumar Gupta, Biswapati Sarkar
Story: Meghna Gulzar , Sima Agarwal, Yash Keswani
Cinematography: Saurabh Goswami
Editor: Meghna Gulzar , Charu Shree Roy
Background Score: Ketan Sodha
Music Director: Amit Trivedi , Ketan Sodha
Lyrics: Gulzar
Costume Designer: Karishma Sharma
Running time: 145 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Crime

Haiwaan - External Reviews

meeta — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:53:17 +0000

23 reviewers have given Haiwaan an average rating of 1.4/5.0 ^(?)

1 yays

11 nays

11 so-so

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do ^(?)

quick review:

Makes you wish you could take some editorial calls to see if that made the movie better. At its current length and uneven pace though, it'd be wise to skip it unapologetically.

Streaming Partner: Sony Liv

Thumbs up Movie Talkies ...As a whole, Haiwaan is a reasonably engaging thriller that should work better for Akshay Kumar fans and audiences looking for a straightforward suspense drama. I still wouldn't necessarily recommend going back to Oppam before watching this, because Haiwaan is accessible enough on its own. It takes its time, has its share of predictable moments, but delivers enough thrills to make the overall experience good.... full review

So-So by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice ...That said, Haiwaan has much to recommend itself: Divakar Mani’s semi-sepia lensing lends a luscious luminosity to the proceedings. The songs, though an intrusion (Wait Until Dark rendered into Wait Until The Song Ends), are pleasantly filmed.... full review

So-So by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare ...Haiwaan may not reinvent Oppam, but it remains an engaging thriller because its central character and cast keep it interesting. Priyadarshan understands that the best way to remake his own film is not to merely reproduce it. The Hindi version works when it allows its actors to bring their own personalities to familiar material.... full review

So-So by Aakash Kumar, Filmi Beat ...Haiwaan has a promising thriller setup and two capable actors at its centre. The combination of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan is definitely one of the film's biggest attractions, while Priyadarshan brings his experience to the story.... full review

So-So by Murtuza Iqbal, Free Press Journal ...What does wonders for Haiwaan is a mind-blowing background score by Ronnie Raphael! It surely takes the movie a notch higher. Meanwhile, when it comes to songs composed by Pritam, apart from Rangiyara, none of them leaves a mark.... full review

So-So by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times ...Overall, Haiwaan is a thriller that promises more than it delivers. The premise is strong, and the climax finally brings the tension that the film has been searching for. But getting there is a long journey. The writing is inconsistent, and too many plot points require the audience to overlook basic questions of logic. The songs further disrupt the film’s rhythm rather than enhancing it. There are flashes of a gripping thriller buried within Haiwaan, particularly in its final hour, but they are not enough. What could have been a taut thriller instead becomes an uneven watch.... full review

So-So by Shweta Keshri, india today ...Haiwaan is not a bad film. It has a good cast, a workable story, with splashes of comedy and a director who knows this material. It is simply a film that needed someone to make it tighter and cut it down to the thriller it could have been, rather than the occasionally enjoyable, ultimately unsatisfying version that has made it to screen.... full review

So-So by Jaya Dwivedie, India TV ...Haiwaan is not a film where everything goes wrong. Its biggest strengths are Saif Ali Khan's performance, Akshay Kumar's attempt at a different role, Priyadarshan's command over the story, the cinematography and the stronger thriller portions in the second half. The film's weaknesses include its slow beginning, excessive runtime, editing that could have been tighter, a villain who is not consistently frightening and songs that occasionally slow down the narrative.... full review

So-So by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV ...Textually similar, texturally different and tonally entirely its own beast, Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, struggles to shrug off the shadow of Mohanlal and Oppam (2016).... full review

So-So by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes ...Priyadarshan always assembles formidable casts, and this film is no different. Khan, Kumar, Yadav, Hashmi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Rajesh Sharma leave you with no complaints, but the story itself has no surprises. You can watch it once it hits OTT, but if you expect any twists, you'll be disappointed. Haiwaan moves in circles for nearly three hours and ultimately ends up nowhere.... full review

So-So by Netra Brid, Pinkvilla ...Haiwaan has a promising hook and two recognisable stars at its center, but neither is enough to overcome a screenplay weighed down by lengthy explanations, unrealistic plot, and uneven pacing. The idea of a blind man using his other senses to outwit a criminal should have provided an inventive and tense thriller. Instead, the film repeatedly shows old tricks and asks the audience to overlook increasingly obvious gaps. Priyadarshan’s familiar visual setting flourishes, while occasional comic touches cannot compensate for the lack of sustained suspense. For viewers drawn to the Saif-Akshay reunion, Haiwaan holds some curiosity value, but as a thriller, it sees the destination long before it figures out how to get there.... full review

So-So by Renuka Vyavahare, Times of India ...Barring a few effective hide-and-seek action sequences between the two leads, Haiwaan struggles to grip. It picks up somewhat after the interval, but with a runtime of 2 hours and 44 minutes, the film ultimately stretches a thin premise far beyond its limits leaving little impact by the time it ends. The Conjuring-style finale takes the tension out of the climax, veering into unintentional humour.... full review

Thumbs down by Subhashini Ramasamy, Deccan Herald ...he movie, which is a remake of Priyadarshan’s ‘Oppam’, is one that cannot be saved even with Mohanlal’s (who played the protagonist in the original) cameo at its closing.... full review

Thumbs down by Manmath Sahu, fullhyd.com ...It's disappointing that a movie based on a strong premise goes wrong. Go watch Oppam in Hindi in HD for free, if at all you will.... full review

Thumbs down by Nitin Jain, Glamsham.com ...And despite the Akshay-Saif reunion being the film’s biggest selling point, Haiwaan ultimately belongs more to Saif. He gets the stronger character and considerably more to play. Akshay, ironically, is the man the film calls Haiwaan, but it is Saif who gives the film most of its life.... full review

Thumbs down by Shubhra Gupta, indian express ...When Priyadarshan is on top of his game, all his madly-disparate moving parts somehow come together and give us a rumbustious climax. Sadly, Haiwaan is more miss than hit, more uff uff than ole ole.... full review

Thumbs down by Rajiv Vijayakar, koimoi ...The background score (Ronnie Raphael) works despite its predictability, but the song sequences do not. This is because they come up out of the blue at needless points, and Pritam does not get great situations. Ironically, the otherwise irrelevant Rangiyara works better.... full review

Thumbs down by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint ...Commercial cinema in this country needs a runtime intervention. We’re resigned to terrible films and terribly long films, but there should be some protection against long terrible films.... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY ...That said, what remains the same is the quality of performance. In this case, Saif playing the equivalent of Mohanlal — drawing you in with his spot-on mannerisms of a blind man, for an action-thriller, rather than caring too much about getting into nuances of a Maharashtrian bloke in the same role.... full review

Thumbs down by "Aishani Biswas ", Outlook India ...But a thriller cannot survive on performances alone. Haiwaan takes the moral machinery of Panch Parmeshwar, the blind-versus-psychopath premise of Oppam and the commercial instincts of mainstream Hindi cinema, then throws them together without finding a stable rhythm. The story becomes a very convenient crime drama instead of a tense study of justice, guilt and consequence.... full review

Thumbs down by Sukanya Verma, Rediff ...Be a man. Not Haiwaan.... full review

Thumbs down by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in ...Haiwaan contains the stock elements found in Priyadarshan’s movies, such as ponderous camera angles, scenes in which characters stand around like in a play, and slippages into unrequired comedy. At least the moment when Parshuram tries to wreak havoc while dressed in a nun’s habit produces the laughs.... full review

Thumbs down by Nanditha Anand, The Week ...I also spent an embarrassing amount of time wondering where the Antony Perumbavoor cameo equivalent was, before remembering that this isn’t an Ashirvad Cinema production. Apparently, even my expectations were working on autopilot.... full review

Haiwaan - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: KVN Productions, Thespian Films
Producer: Venkat K Narayana, Shailaja Desai Fenn
Director: Priyadarshan
Lead Cast: Akshay Kumar , Saif Ali Khan
Supporting Cast: Boman Irani , Mohanlal, Asrani, Rajesh Sharma, Sharib Hashmi , Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Mohan Joshi, Pahal Chaudhary
Screenplay: Priyadarshan, Rohan Shankar, Abilash Nair
Dialogues: Rohan Shankar
Cinematography: Divakar Mani
Editor: Aiyappan Nair M.S.
Background Score: Ronnie Raphael
Music Director: Pritam Chakraborty
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Costume Designer: Komal Shahani, V. Sai
Running time: 165 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Action, Thriller

Haiwaan - Review

meeta — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:04:31 +0000

wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do ^(?)

quick review:

Makes you wish you could take some editorial calls to see if that made the movie better. At its current length and uneven pace though, it'd be wise to skip it unapologetically.

Streaming Partner: Sony Liv

Review

Scene after scene, I heard myself thinking, "At least, it's not slapstick." That tells you almost all you need to know about the film. Then one looooong scene tells you loud and clear that Priyadarshan cannot help himself. But you consider yourself lucky that he picked just that one scene for the supposed "humour" and milked the "joke" as much as was possible.

The tragedy is that the story wasn't without potential. It, especially the second half, especially-especially the climax, is so drawn out that it makes you forget the merit of the plot. To top it off, some scenes feel amateurish in their execution. Like an extra pause between action and reaction or a character entering the scene a beat or more late.

This is not taking into account the usual tropes of songs being shoved in forcefully. Same goes for the social commentary such as religious harmony or police brutality or life philosophy. These concepts play disconnected cameos.

The uneven pace makes it even worse. The story is packed in the first half along with the song and dance. The second half feels like one long chase sequence. A chase so dry that the intermittent attempts at intelligent writing are wasted. So, is some of the character development.

The movie has quite a few characters, and some of them are interesting too. You get a peek into some of their lives through their situation and payoffs. On the flip side, none of them could be fleshed out properly because of the sheer number. So, throughout the film, you feel like this character might do something interesting or that character might bring solve this mystery. But, nothing of the sort happens.

Instead, the performances take a hit and almost all of them become monochromatic despite some depth to the characters. Starting with Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar, most of the actors are off by a beat. There is something that gives away that they are putting on an act and are not living the character. Except for Saiyami Kher whose dialogue delivery couldn’t have been any more robotic, which is a shame because she is a good actor. Actually, there isn't a single person in the cast who we haven't seen give a brilliant performance elsewhere.

It's been a while since I walked fresh into the theatre and came out feeling drained. And it's not like we are being served brilliant movies Friday after Friday. I wish I could say that the tiredness is because the plot was complicated and the connections required me to stay wired. On the contrary, the lingering feeling is, "Say, what?" All that effort in writing sub-plot within irrelevant sub-plot and the main plot didn't deserve half a thought?

- meeta, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Lots and some of it gory too.
Language: Clean
Nudity & Sexual content: None
Concept: Revenge
General Look and Feel: Intention to be intense

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction: 1
Story: 1.5
Lead Actors: 2.5
Character Artists: 2.5

Dialogues: 1
Screenplay: 0
Music Director: 3
Lyrics: 2

Haiwaan - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: KVN Productions, Thespian Films
Producer: Venkat K Narayana, Shailaja Desai Fenn
Director: Priyadarshan
Lead Cast: Akshay Kumar , Saif Ali Khan
Supporting Cast: Boman Irani , Mohanlal, Asrani, Rajesh Sharma, Sharib Hashmi , Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Mohan Joshi, Pahal Chaudhary
Screenplay: Priyadarshan, Rohan Shankar, Abilash Nair
Dialogues: Rohan Shankar
Cinematography: Divakar Mani
Editor: Aiyappan Nair M.S.
Background Score: Ronnie Raphael
Music Director: Pritam Chakraborty
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Costume Designer: Komal Shahani, V. Sai
Running time: 165 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Action, Thriller

Mirzapur – The Movie - External Reviews

meeta — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:37:24 +0000

25 reviewers have given Mirzapur – The Movie an average rating of 4.1/5.0 ^(?)

16 yays

0 nays

9 so-so

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

wogma rating: Watch some day, maayyybe… ^(?)

quick review:

Happy to see more of the same? That is exactly what you'll get. Any newness is done with, with elan.
Streaming Partner: Amazon Prime

Thumbs up by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice ...Divyendu plays Munna as a motherless attention-seeker, trying to catch his father’s eye by misbehaving. It is a riveting performance, upscaled by the writing which treats the characters with respect when they don’t always deserve it. Gurmmeet Singh directs the pumped-up material with a controlled swagger. Unlike Dhurandhar which is so enamoured of its own slick (and sick) violence, Mirzapur The Movie never steps back to admire itself. There is no time or place for self-indulgence when the characters love themselves so much.... full review

Thumbs up by Aditya Mukherjee, Deccan Herald ...Pankaj Yadav, Ravi Kishan, Jitendra Kumar, Divyendu Sharma and Sheeba Chadda deliver outstanding performances. The breathtaking shots of Rajasthan deserve a mention.... full review

Thumbs up by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare ...The series showed us how these characters changed. The film goes back to show us who they were before that change became inevitable. And sometimes, knowing exactly where a story ends can make the journey back to the beginning surprisingly compelling.... full review

Thumbs up by Aakash Kumar, Filmi Beat ...The performances are one of the biggest strengths of the film. Pankaj Tripathi once again owns the screen as Kaleen Bhaiya. There is a certain ease with which he slips into the character, and every scene involving him gets an added impact.... full review

Thumbs up by Zinia Bandyopadhyay, FirstPost ...It may not recreate the anarchic high of the first season, and it does not always have the same effortless bhaukaal. But the chemistry remains intact, the performances hold up, the world is familiar without being entirely repetitive, and Ravi Kishan arrives with enough swagger of his own to make this detour worthwhile.... full review

Thumbs up by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times ...Overall, Mirzapur: The Movie knows its audience, and more importantly, it knows what that audience wants. There are enough callbacks to make fans grin and enough new twists to prevent the whole thing from feeling like a recycled season. And of course, enough violence to ensure nobody mistakes this for a family drama. Yes, three and a half hours is a commitment, but so is watching three seasons of people fighting over a throne nobody has ever managed to sit on peacefully. At least this time, the investment comes with a big-screen payoff. Also, Munna bhaiya truly amar hain.... full review

Thumbs up by Sana Farzeen, india today ...It is a film made with obvious love for the world, its characters and, most importantly, its fans. And that love is visible in every little moment. But somewhere between trying to give every character a moment and every relationship a backstory, the film becomes a little too indulgent. Mirzapur does feel exactly like the chaotic, pulpy ride you signed up for. Maybe you can just take along a little extra patience when you head to the theatres.... full review

Thumbs up by Shubhra Gupta, indian express ...Net net, I quite enjoyed Mirzapur The Movie because it knows how to stay in its lane, papering over its flabby bits with continual speedy spurts and an intriguing climax. I know how things will pan out, but I’m still in for the ride. Will there be a Mirzapur The movie... full review

Thumbs up by UDITA JHUNJHUNWALA, Live Mint ...Gurmmeet Singh knows what Mirzapur audiences want. He has tried to retain the old Mirzapur flavour in the treatment of the film. The dialogues, the way the characters behave, the violence and the bitterness in relationships all carry the identity of the original series. The direction is strongest when it brings the characters face to face. The excitement of seeing old faces together and the chemistry between them gives several scenes extra energy.... full review

Thumbs up by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY ...Up until a point that it appeared the simple story had overstretched its welcome, with Bollywood stunts, and the sorts. What with the closing slate done, and a whole lot more yet to go!... full review

Thumbs up by Sneha Hiro Tare, News18.com ...Overall, you walk out feeling it was a decent time at the movies for a fan, carried largely by nostalgia and the comfort of the characters. Measured against the first two seasons, it lands just about okay, but it is quite stronger than the third season. New viewers can still enjoy the world without knowing every detail, but the experience is clearly aimed at those who already care... full review

Thumbs up by isha Sharma, NewsBytes ...The real, rugged locations uplift the film; the gore, as expected, is relentless, and the action is immersive and volatile. It keeps unveiling surprises until the very last scene, and the actors breathe life into these flawed but human characters. Though the film stumbles close to the finish line, the engaging narrative more than makes up for its flaws.... full review

Thumbs up by DEBANJAN DHAR, Outlook India ...Mirzapur: The Movie retains its zing as long as it circles matters of such emotional wounds, love and familial ties that intensify stakes.... full review

Thumbs up by Mayur Sanap, Rediff ...For once, Mirzapur does not leave us hanging. And that feels damn good.... full review

Thumbs up by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in ...The extraction of the show’s most entertaining aspects while also introducing a couple of new arcs, and the decision to use the same actors with one notable exception, give Mirzapur The Movie both the element of comforting familiarity and the thrill of surprise.... full review

Thumbs up by Kartik Bhardwaj, the new Indian Express ...That being said, the film does have its misses and often feels overwritten. The screenplay starts dragging and the unnecessary love song and an item number doesn’t help. But you can ignore the little slips because the characters are incessantly watchable.... full review

So-So by Siddharth Varada, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...The film has parts that are enjoyable but also parts that feel familiar and add nothing to our understanding of the universe.... full review

So-So by Simran Singh, DNA ...Mirzapur: The Movie is a brave attempt at taking a popular series to the big screen, but it also reminds us why OTT has garnered so much acceptance or importance in recent times. Barring the sluggish narrative, the film will entertain its diehard fans, but it doesn't justify the status of the iconic show.... full review

So-So by Ria Sharma, Free Press Journal ...One of the strengths is the dialogue writing. Several dialogues in the first half are whistle-worthy, with the scenes between Pankaj Tripathi and Divyenndu standing out as some of the best moments.... full review

So-So by Jaya Dwivedie, India TV ...Gurmmeet Singh knows what Mirzapur audiences want. He has tried to retain the old Mirzapur flavour in the treatment of the film. The dialogues, the way the characters behave, the violence and the bitterness in relationships all carry the identity of the original series. The direction is strongest when it brings the characters face to face. The excitement of seeing old faces together and the chemistry between them gives several scenes extra energy.... full review

So-So by Trisha Gaur, koimoi ...t’s not that Mirzapur: The Movie handles the script badly! The problem is that it does not know what new to write in this script! You’re watching a world you already know extremely well, populated by people whose fates you already know, moving at a pace that assumes you need convincing all over again. My heart breaks to write this but Pankaj Tripathi, the franchise’s central figure, is the most underused and underpowered actor in this film! Mirzapur: The Movie is exactly what it was built to be: a loud, well-mounted reunion tour for fans! As a pure fan film, it works – the action is bigger, Ravi Kishan and Mohitt Malikk are genuinely valuable additions, and Divyenndu is as watchable as ever. But as a piece of storytelling, it stays so loyal to the world you already know that it rarely finds a reason to surprise you. The sluggish pace and repetitive writing make this a film tailored strictly for rowdy fans of the franchise. 2.5 stars! Mirzapur The Movie Trailer Mirzapur The Movie | Official Hindi Trailer |Ali Fazal | Pankaj Tripathi | Divyenndu | 4th Sept For more Bollywood movie reviews, stay tuned to Koimoi. Must Read: Gandhari Movie Review Ft. Taapsee Pannu: Call It Draupadi Or Dhritarashtra – Kanika Dhillon’s Writing Makes It Still The Same – Pretentious! Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Google News ADVERTISEMENT. TAGSAbhishek BAli FazalDivyennduGurmmeet SinghJitendra KumarMirzapur The Moviemovie reviewPankaj TripathiRasika DugalRavi RELATED ARTICLES Mahaprabhu Jagannath Movie Review BOLLYWOOD MOVIE REVIEWS Mahaprabhu Jagannath Movie Review: A Power-Packed Devotional Entertainer That Delivers Beyond Expectations Unmadham Movie Review ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Unmadham Movie Review: In Kunchacko Boban Starrer, The Real Curse Is Cast On Its Second Half Gandhari Movie Review Ft. Taapsee Pannu: Call It Draupadi Or Dhritrashtra Or Any Other Mythological Character! BOLLYWOOD MOVIE REVIEWS Gandhari Movie Review Ft. Taapsee Pannu: Call It Draupadi Or Dhritarashtra – Kanika Dhillon’s Writing Makes It Still The Same – Pretentious! Vibe Trailer Review: Kunal Kemmu & Preity Zinta's Wacky Mission Looks Like A Whole Lot Of Fun ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Vibe Trailer Review: Kunal Kemmu’s Comedy Has The Madgaon Express Vibe, But With A New Twist Last Man In Tower Trailer Review: It's Manoj Bajpayee vs Boman Irani In Mumbai Matter! ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Last Man In Tower Trailer Review: Family Man Manoj Bajpayee’s New Mission Is A Very Relatable Mumbai Matter, And It’s Quite Exciting! Sardar 2 Trailer Review: A Video That Packs In A Lot And Promises An Engaging Theatrical Experience ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Sardar 2 Trailer Review: Karthi’s Dual Role, SJ Suryah’s Villain Act & Sam CS’s Music Promise This To Be An Unforgettable Theatrical Experience.... full review

So-So by Sameer Ahire, Movie Talkies ...Overall, a strictly one-time watch, recommended mainly for hardcore Mirzapur fans.... full review

So-So by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV ...The movie has its share of surprise elements but plays out largely along predictable lines. Most of the men and women who peopled Mirzapur over its two seasons are back in Mirzapur: The Movie... full review

So-So by Netra Brid, Pinkvilla ...Mirzapur: The Movie tried hard to make the seamless transition from OTT to cinema that the franchise deserved. Its biggest advantage is it is heavily dependent on nostalgia and audience familiarity. Fans will enjoy seeing their favourite characters return, hearing the familiar slangs and witnessing the power games unfold on a larger canvas. Newcomers, however, may struggle to connect with a story that assumes considerable familiarity with the Mirzapur universe. The film is better in its first half but the sluggish pacing tests your patience after interval. Gurmmeet Singh manages to deliver enough entertainment to keep loyal fans engaged, yet the film needed sharper and stronger understanding of what makes a theatrical crime drama different from an OTT narrative. It has enough masala, performances and nostalgia to make it a one-time watch, but the throne deserved a tighter contender.... full review

So-So by Abhishek Srivastava, Times of India ...Mirzapur: The Movie' loses the charm it builds in the first half, and whatever charm survives fades fast after the interval. Its grip on the setting is shaky, but the cast keeps things watchable even when the story doesn't. The film touches on political corruption involving the chief minister's brother without ever really digging into how ugly that world gets.... full review

Mirzapur – The Movie - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: Excel Entertainment, Amazon MGM Studios
Producer: Farhan Akhtar , Ritesh Sidhwani
Director: Gurmmeet Singh
Lead Cast: Ali Fazal , Pankaj Tripathi, Jitendra Kumar, Divyenndu
Supporting Cast: Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sushant Singh, Ravi Kishan , Sonal Chauhan, Sheeba Chaddha, Rasika Dugal , Shweta Tripathi , Shriya Pilgaonkar, Shaji Chaudhary, Rajesh Tailang, Abhishek Banerjee , Harshita Gaur, Anangsha Biswas, Pramod Pathak, Mohitt Maalik, Satendra Soni
Story: Puneet Krishna
Cinematography: Sanjay Kapoor 1
Editor: Manan Ashwin Mehta
Choreography: Vijay Ganguly, Khyati Panchmatia
Music Director: Anand Bhaskar, Junaid Kumar, Dhanda Nyoliwala
Lyrics: Kumaar, Tejpal Singh Rawat, Ginny Diwan, Dhanda Nyoliwala
Costume Designer: Darshan Jalan, Neelanchal Ghosh
Running time: 195 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Action, Crime, Politics

Batwara 1947 - External Reviews

meeta — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:26:25 +0000

30 reviewers have given Batwara 1947 an average rating of 3.4/5.0 ^(?)

14 yays

3 nays

13 so-so

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up by Siddharth Varada, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...Their story symbolizes the highest point of humanity, with the film showing how the delicate balance between the belief in one’s own faith and the respect for other faiths can be maintained.... full review

Thumbs up by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice ...We may not find every component of this peace anthem equally harmonious—and Rahman’s atonal Bhajan is the worst I’ve heard in cinema—but at its core this is a work of tremendous integrity.... full review

Thumbs up by Sahelee Rakshit, Bollywood Life ...Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol have made angry cinema together before. Here that anger seems older, wiser and more compassionate. Batwara 1947 may be mounted as a historical epic, but its most powerful message is remarkably simple... full review

Thumbs up Deccan Chronicle ...Batwara 1947 is slow, occasionally preachy and technically uneven. But its central idea vividly revolves around grief having no religion, and a mother having no border. The film is less interested in showing Partition only as a story of Hindu-Muslim conflict and more interested in asking what happens when people choose humanity over identity.... full review

Thumbs up by Simran Singh, DNA ...Batwara 1947 is a delightful comeback of Sunny-Santoshi, filled with power-packed, emotionally driven moments that will surely leave you in tears. The intent and the content both hit your heart, and it truly deserves a watch in cinemas. Batwara 1947 is and should be enjoyed with family.... full review

Thumbs up by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare ...The film may stumble when it reaches for conventional heroics, but its heart never does. And that heart matters. Batwara 1947 arrives at a time when we desperately need to be reminded that the people on the other side of a border are not abstractions. Partition divided a country. Hatred divided human beings. The film’s final image offers a quiet, almost defiant possibility: perhaps humanity can still put us back together.... full review

Thumbs up by Aakash Kumar, Filmi Beat ...Batwara 1947 is not a perfect film, but its emotional core and performances make it worth a watch. The second half works better and delivers some genuinely moving moments. The climax will surely leave you teary-eyed. The film talks about Partition, but at its heart, it is about humanity. It reminds us that hatred and violence can destroy everything, while compassion can help people rise above religious and cultural differences.... full review

Thumbs up by Zinia Bandyopadhyay, FirstPost ...perhaps that is the film's biggest achievement. It reminds us that some emotions don't belong to a religion. Grief doesn't. Fear doesn't. Loneliness doesn't. The desire to return home doesn't. And neither does the need to be treated like a human being.... full review

Thumbs up by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times ...The Mirzas, frustrated, try everything they can to make her leave. But Mai refuses, insisting that she is waiting for her son to return. As tensions rise, Yaqoob (Abhimanyu Singh), an aspiring politician, begins to give the conflict a communal colour, further inflaming an already volatile situation. What happens next forms the crux of the film.... full review

Thumbs up by Anindita Mukhopadhyay, India TV ...Batwara 1947: The direction Rajkumar Santoshi's direction effectively captures the shared pain of people living on both sides of the India-Pakistan divide. The film underlines how Partition did not simply divide a country. It also separated families and forced countless people to start their lives again from scratch. The core story is strong, and the subject naturally carries considerable emotional weight. The first half works particularly well and keeps the audience engaged. The second half, however, feels somewhat stretched.The direction and editing could have been tighter in places, particularly when the film begins to feel repetitive. There are also perhaps more Sunny Deol action and hero moments than the emotional setting really needs. Some sequences become very dramatic and larger than life, which does not always sit comfortably with the film's more intimate emotional tone. The dialogues have their emotional moments, but some could have been sharper and better suited to the scenes.... full review

Thumbs up by "Rajiv Vijayakar ", koimoi ...For Santoshi, this is a grand return to form, a full 22 years after his marvelous Khakee. We can forget all his subsequent aberrations for this superb display of compassionate storytelling with a message. A.R. Rahman’s background score is unshowy. I had to consciously make myself aware of the score to notice and evaluate it, and this is the way such music should be. However, as is the case with him for eons now, his songs do not register.... full review

Thumbs up by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV ...Batwara 1947 makes a plea that we would all do well to heed.... full review

Thumbs up by Yatamanyu Narain, News18.com ...To sum it up, Rajkumar Santoshi’s Batwara 1947 may be far from perfect, but its heart is firmly in the right place. In a world fuelled by hatred, violence and religious disharmony, the film arrives as a beacon of light for those consumed by such corrosive emotions. It entertains, but it also leaves behind an important message of peace and brotherhood. Most crucially, it makes a persuasive case for the old warning that an eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind.... full review

Thumbs up by Sahir Avik D’souza, The Quint ...Over three decades later, the two have reunited for Batwara 1947, in which Deol is once again the all-powerful man of strength.... full review

So-So by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...On The whole BATWARA 1947 neither makes you feel the terror of partition nor the trauma experienced by the people whom had to leave everything and shift th either India or pakistan with their entire family. In the end, I just remains a well-intentioned film with its heart in the right place and nothing more than that.... full review

So-So by Pranati A S, Deccan Herald ...Batwara 1947 is a film with a timely message, but one told through an outdated cinematic vocabulary. Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/batwara-1947-movie-review-timely-message-outdated-style-4111299... full review

So-So by Ria Sharma, Free Press Journal ...Batwara 1947 has all the ingredients of an emotional Partition drama - action, family drama, patriotism, emotions and a strong central conflict. The performances, especially by Sunny Deol and Shabana Azmi, keep the film going.... full review

So-So by Nitin Jain, Glamsham.com ...The music and lyrics pass muster but do little to enhance the proceedings. They neither disrupt the narrative nor add much to its emotional impact, making them largely incidental to the experience.... full review

So-So by Sana Farzeen, india today ...The irony is that Batwara 1947 is terrific as a text. Adapted from the play Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai, the writing has ideas, the conversations have weight, and the central metaphor is powerful. But cinema needs emotional texture, lived-in relationships and performances that make you believe in the people on screen. It has all the right things to say but doesn't know how to, and that makes this potentially moving story feel surprisingly cold.... full review

So-So by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY ...This is a counterpoint in the heat of civil war over batwara, as it were. You gotta honour the intentions, sometimes. These are also those times. That’s quite separate from whether a film feels engaging enough, though.... full review

So-So by Sameer Ahire, Movie Talkies ...Nevertheless, Batwara 1947 is definitely a good watch. You might have missed dropping tears in the cinema hall this year, so here's your chance. "Maa ki seva se bada koi karm nahi, aur Insaniyat se bada koi dharm nahi" and "Maa ko majhab me mat baato, Maa khud ek majhab hai," are definitely the most powerful statements made by any Bollywood movie this year.... full review

So-So by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes ...Batwara 1947 blooms during its evocative scenes of communal harmony. Its muddled screenplay, though, tests your patience, and Santoshi never allows the characters to breathe properly. The film asks: What does home really mean? And who should have the power to decide it? Ultimately, the drama might not be perfect, butdeserves to be watched for its performances and timeless, resonant themes.... full review

So-So by Aishani Biswas, Outlook India ...Anyone drawn to stories about communal harmony, or curious about how Wajahat's stage classic translates to the screen, will find enough here to justify a watch, provided expectations are calibrated for a film that reaches further than it can grasp.... full review

So-So by Deepa Gahlot, Rediff ...Santoshi reduces the story to a collection of slogans, though Sunny Deol should be given credit for handling the lowkey moments as well as the bombastic scenes with aplomb.... full review

So-So by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in ...Zinta is a particularly lively presence, a more full-bodied character than the one-note Sikandar or the persistently hammy Abhimanyu Singh. As the passive and yet poignant Durgavati, Shabana Azmi packs a punch.... full review

So-So by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu ...While Santoshi occasionally compromises the narrative with a cartoonish villain and larger-than-life action blocks, the Sunny-Shabana symphony and the film’s core message remain deeply impactful.... full review

So-So by Dhaval Roy, Times of India ...Though Batwara 1947 has its moments, its uneven treatment and overstretched narrative dilute the impact of its powerful message.... full review

Thumbs down by manjusha Radhakrishnan, Gulf News ...Batwara 1947 didn't need to manufacture emotion around that tragedy. It needed restraint, complexity and characters who felt like flesh-and-blood people rather than representatives of ideas. Instead, its great love for drama becomes almost scary. The movie has so much to say about humanity that it barely gives its humans room to breathe.... full review

Thumbs down by Shubhra Gupta, indian express ...The message is loud and clear: no religion is evil, only humans are; nafrat can be conquered through pyaar, siyasat se mazhab ko na milao; and above all, maanvata se bada koi dharam nahin. But they come as a listicle, instead of making you feel.... full review

Thumbs down by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint ...The Pakistan of Santoshi’s film is too removed and too vague to speak to the India of today. “No religion is bad,” Habib says. “Good, bad, that’s people.” Batwara so wants to be praised for its noble intentions. Myself, I’ll take mixed intentions over safe nothings.... full review

Batwara 1947 - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: Aamir Khan Productions Pvt Ltd
Producer: Aamir Khan , Aparna Purohit
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Lead Cast: Preity Zinta , Sunny Deol
Supporting Cast: Shabana Azmi , Mithun Chakraborty, Ali Fazal , Abhimanyu Shekhar Singh, Vicky Kaushal , Baby Khushi Hajare, Karan Deol, Kanikka Kapur, Isha Sandhir, Vijayant Kohli, Ajay Madhok, Nitish Nirmal
Screenplay: Rajkumar Santoshi
Dialogues: Rajkumar Santoshi, Asghar Wajahat
Cinematography: Santosh Sivan
Editor: Sally Salgaonkar
Music Director: A R Rahman
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Costume Designer: Maxima Basu
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: History, Patriotism

Mirzapur – The Movie - Review

meeta — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:57:49 +0000

wogma rating: Watch some day, maayyybe… ^(?)

quick review:

Happy to see more of the same? That is exactly what you'll get. Any newness is done with, with elan.
Streaming Partner: Amazon Prime

Review

You are told repeatedly, again and again, ad nauseum about the power of this so-called throne. Not once, do you see it. In fact, continuing from the series, you see its vulnerability—in the power that is held over it by politicians, in how powerless its heir is, in how many known and secret enemies it has.

So, as you watch the all-too-familiar proceedings, you know how it's going to pan out. Now, this might be alright for someone who hasn't watched the series. Maybe this holds nostalgic value for those who have followed the series too. Especially because the movie's story starts off pretty much at the beginning, maybe an episode or two into the first season of the series.

To be fair, there is an attempt to stir something new. But as it's happening and down to the end it feels like much ado about very little. That the climax feels like the Mirzapur world has come around a full circle, doesn't help its case.

What does help is that the performances are head and shoulder above the average. Pankaj Tripathi continues to be able to draw a loud laugh with so much as the slightest of flickers in the eye and quivers outside the lip. Yes, it is intentional. And yes, I am referring to his entire repertoire and not just this series. The one thing that stands out about Mirzapur though is that each member of the cast fits just perfectly and does exactly what their character needs them to do.

Some credit, of course, goes to characters that are reasonably well written too. A special shout out to Munna's capacity to wear both—his weaknesses and his capacity to be oblivious to them—on his sleeve.

Unfortunately, though, this quality in writing doesn't spread to the story or even the dialogue. The story meanders uninterestingly. Sure, there is some merit to highlighting how petty men who are so macho can be. But that doesn't make it any less petty. Neither does calling out the pettiness. It just makes the whole thing repetitive. The 3+ hours' worth of lines barely leave a mark either.

What's supposed to stay with you then? The gore, the bloodbath and the action? We can see the effort put in to make that shine, but again it isn't engaging. And I wouldn't know if overt brutality is entertaining because I am not in the movie hall for that.

Deceit, revenge, violence, competitiveness, sex even—have made for great stories and, of course, films too. But Mirzapur The Movie ain't that story, nor movie.

- meeta, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Loads
Language: Liberal use of curse words
Nudity & Sexual content: Loads of sexual content, even if no nudity as such except for s bare chested Ali Fazal
Concept: Violence
General Look and Feel: Rugged, brash, rustic. As you would expect from the Mirzapur world.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction: 3
Story: 2.5
Lead Actors: 5
Character Artists: 5

Dialogues: 2.5
Screenplay: 2
Music Director: 1.5
Lyrics: 1.5

Mirzapur – The Movie - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: Excel Entertainment, Amazon MGM Studios
Producer: Farhan Akhtar , Ritesh Sidhwani
Director: Gurmmeet Singh
Lead Cast: Ali Fazal , Pankaj Tripathi, Jitendra Kumar, Divyenndu
Supporting Cast: Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sushant Singh, Ravi Kishan , Sonal Chauhan, Sheeba Chaddha, Rasika Dugal , Shweta Tripathi , Shriya Pilgaonkar, Shaji Chaudhary, Rajesh Tailang, Abhishek Banerjee , Harshita Gaur, Anangsha Biswas, Pramod Pathak, Mohitt Maalik, Satendra Soni
Story: Puneet Krishna
Cinematography: Sanjay Kapoor 1
Editor: Manan Ashwin Mehta
Choreography: Vijay Ganguly, Khyati Panchmatia
Music Director: Anand Bhaskar, Junaid Kumar, Dhanda Nyoliwala
Lyrics: Kumaar, Tejpal Singh Rawat, Ginny Diwan, Dhanda Nyoliwala
Costume Designer: Darshan Jalan, Neelanchal Ghosh
Running time: 195 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Action, Crime, Politics

Alpha - External Reviews

meeta — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:16:28 +0000

26 reviewers have given Alpha an average rating of 1.6/5.0 ^(?)

5 yays

14 nays

7 so-so

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

wogma rating: Watch but no rush ^(?)

quick review:

Like any ol' new-age action film. Only with women, so that's fun. The action is slick. The lost-and-found story is right out of '80s Hindi films. Plus, of course, the seemingly inevitable dose of 2010s-20s patriotism.

Thumbs up by Subhash k Jha, Bolly Spice ...The fight, bickering, and the banter that ensues are solidly constructed.... full review

Thumbs up by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare ...Alpha may not be the strongest film in the Spy Universe, but it gives the franchise something it genuinely needed: a fresh perspective. Now all the makers need is a story every bit as fearless as the women leading it…... full review

Thumbs up by Murtuza Iqbal, Free Press Journal ...No songs from Alpha were unveiled before the release, so whatever you hear in the movie will be new for you, and once the film is over, you will feel like searching for the jukebox of the movie. Also, the background score is wow and elevates the action sequences.... full review

Thumbs up by Titas Chowdhury, News18.com ...Alpha may not be the YRF Spy Universe’s strongest or most flawless outing. There are loopholes and the story remains largely predictable. But even with its imperfections, this one is a trailblazer. It sets a powerful precedent for women-led action films in mainstream Hindi cinema, proving that female protagonists can command scale, spectacle and star power just as convincingly as men.... full review

Thumbs up by Gayatri Nirmal, Pinkvilla ...Watching two women lead a franchise that has so far been dominated by male spies is genuinely empowering. Alpha successfully establishes Alia Bhatt and Sharvari as worthy additions to the YRF Spy Universe, even if the screenplay doesn't consistently support their efforts.... full review

So-So by Siddharth Varada, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...Alpha works as a female-led spy thriller. It is entertaining and also has pretty good potential going forward. I just wish the emotions between Sita and Kaul came through better. Despite not being as emotionally satisfying as some of the other spy films, it ends up being a good watch.... full review

So-So by Aakash Kumar, Filmi Beat ...On the whole, Alpha is not as bad as Bobby Deol's Haryanvi accent and is a decent one-time watch. While it has nothing new to offer, you can still watch it if you're a fan of action-packed spy thrillers.... full review

So-So by Manmath Sahu, fullhyd.com ...If you walk in expecting a gripping spy thriller, you will likely be disappointed. But if you view Alpha as a stylish combat action film, it still manages to earn a one-time watch.... full review

So-So by Vineeta Kumar, india today ...The last truly satisfying film from this universe was War back in 2019. Since then, the graph has steadily dipped. Alpha doesn't drag it further down, but it certainly doesn't raise the bar either.... full review

So-So by Anindita Mukhopadhyay, India TV ...Alpha is one of those films that you desperately want to root for. It's Bollywood's first female-led spy film. It has Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor and a surprise that fans will be talking about long after they leave the theatre. On paper, it should have been a slam dunk.... full review

So-So by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu ...The film is not short of powerhouse performers. As the antagonist, Bobby gets a meaty role, and he bites into it with full force. His eyes exude an inherent innocence, which makes him such a deadly villain. It makes his sudden bursts of violence twice as terrifying because you never see them coming, but the screenwriters don’t give him a compelling backstory to complement his efforts. While the film belongs to its leading ladies, the solid presence of Bobby and Anil cannot be understated. Their commitment and intensity provide enough dramatic weight to keep a shallow, derivative script afloat for those who marvel at spectacle rather than storytelling.... full review

So-So by Mimansa Shekhar, Times Now ...Alpha is an entertaining entry in the YRF Spy Universe that works more on punches than on its screenplay. Alia Bhatt redefines herself as an all-out action star. Sharvari Wagh gives an appealing supporting performance. But the story occasionally walks familiar paths. Alpha is a fun theatre experience for fans of stylish spy entertainers. If you want real spy-thriller meat, go watch Dhurandhar. There, I said it... full review

Thumbs down by Divya Pal, Bollywood Life ...Alpha is definitely worth watching on the big screen. But if you're looking for a genuinely gripping spy thriller with tighter writing... there are better options available.... full review

Thumbs down by Pranati A S, Deccan Herald ...Alia Bhatt and Sharvari as Sita and Durga deliver restrained performances even as they wield guns and beat up the ‘bad’ boys. It is delightful to watch the two of them bonding in the Kashmir valley as they climb mountains, jump into rivers and sleep under the stars. There isn’t much to say about how technically sound the film is — as it should be like any other film made on this scale.... full review

Thumbs down by Nitin Jain, Glamsham.com ...Alpha is not an outright poor film. It has scale, polished visuals, energetic action and two committed performances from Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. Both actresses are likely to benefit from the film and add a credible action title to their filmographies. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for YRF. For a studio that has delivered some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable spy entertainers, Alpha never rises above being an average, over-stylised action thriller... full review

Thumbs down by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times ...Alpha is neither the disaster naysayers had predicted nor the reinvention the SpyVerse needed after the disappointing War 2. It is a competently mounted but emotionally underwhelming film that delivers very few highs, largely courtesy Hrithik Roshan, but never finds a compelling pulse of its own. Sometimes, that's more disappointing than watching an outright bad film.... full review

Thumbs down by Shubhra Gupta, indian express ...To me, that’s the worst part: here’s a film telling us to believe that a lone female ranger can blow up a massive superstructure, housing a gigantic lab running a scheme thought up by a mad scientist type, and this highly trained assassin will then meekly do what she’s told? It would fit in if the film was going for the fun comic-book feel of ‘Pathaan’, where eye-rolls are served along with eye-watering high octane scenes, but Alpha asks us to take it seriously.... full review

Thumbs down by Trisha Gaur, koimoi ...Alpha is absurd and chaotic. It takes a monumental franchise milestone—the first female-led spy film—and turns it into some kind of spoof! If this is the creative direction the makers are taking, it might just be time to let the Spy Universe rest in peace. Skip this one totally!... full review

Thumbs down by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint ...Shiv Rawail's ‘Alpha’ is sorely missing fresh ideas and is unable to credibly showcase Alia Bhatt as an action star... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY ...Soon as he reveals his face to the attackers, they run, “Bhaago, yeh Kabir hai!” As in Kabir from the equally jhantu War 2. Or, actually, no. Scratch that. Alpha is superior.... full review

Thumbs down by Sameer ahire, Movie Talkies ...Technically, the cinematography and VFX are decent, but most other aspects fall short. The action sequences work in the first half but collapse later. The editing fails to keep things engaging, although the script is the bigger culprit. Production design is passable, and the music is below average. I seriously don’t understand why those songs were included—they feel completely out of place. Ishita Moitra’s dialogues are painfully weak.... full review

Thumbs down by DEBANJAN DHAR, Outlook India ...Alpha lacks the spunk and grit to make a drama riveting and destabilising. It’s as glib as late, anxious shuffles to posit an enemy country’s plot that has apparently been in the works for years. Buying into this film’s lurches is a bigger ask than YRF haggling to be rewarded for mounting a female-led actioner.... full review

Thumbs down by Sukanya Verma, Rediff ...Ultimately, Alpha is a botched up opportunity. It's sad but I would rather watch Deepika in Pathaan and Katrina in the Tiger series kick ass in second fiddle capacity than become toys of their own story.... full review

Thumbs down by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in ...The film’s story, credited to Uday Chopra, and the screenplay, by Sridhar Raghavan and Soumil Shukla, has a couple of twists that enliven the parade of dull writing and repetitive action set pieces. Some of these developments are unknown even to Vikram.... full review

Thumbs down by "Sajin Shrijith ", The Week ...Universe movie, but also just another case of jumping on the bandwagon. There are, of course, going to be many logic-related questions. Don't waste your time trying to find answers. It's simply not worth it.... full review

Thumbs down by Renuka Vyavahare, Times of India ...A braided, stoic Alia Bhatt, despite her baby face, delivers a sincere performance and remains committed throughout, but the film gives her very little to work with. Sharvari is reduced to a bubbly sidekick, wasting much of her potential. Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor bring strong screen presence, but even they are let down by an overly convenient screenplay.... full review

Alpha - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: Yash Raj Films
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Shiv Rawail
Lead Cast: Alia Bhatt
Supporting Cast: Hrithik Roshan , Anil Kapoor , Bobby Deol, Sharvari
Story: Uday Chopra
Screenplay: Shridhar Raghavan, Soumil Shukla
Dialogues: Ishita Moitra
Cinematography: Rubais
Editor: Aarif Shaikh
Background Score: Sanchit Balhara, Ankit Balhara
Choreography: Bosco Martis, Vijay Ganguly
Music Director: Abeer, Rohansh
Lyrics: Anvita Dutt Guptan, Kumaar, Kausar Munir, Abeer, Rohansh
Costume Designer: Aki Narula, Gunpreet Kaur Mann, Natasha Vohra, Deepali Singh Raseen
Running time: 140 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Action

Alpha - Review

meeta — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:56:08 +0000

wogma rating: Watch but no rush ^(?)

quick review:

Review

The set-up of this set-up for YRF's spy universe is as interesting as it is amusing. The execution has a certain quality that makes it unintentionally funny. It is slick in that it has western action movie sensibilities. But the story-telling is true-blue Indian with its 80s-style family-reunion-meets-abductor-villain plot and 2010s-20s-theme of aggrandising war.

Despite making you feel like you are in a battlefield for more than half the film, the film is more action than hardcore violence. And the action choreography along with the editing makes it an involved watch. Yes, despite the shoddy CGI at times.

It's partly because there are women at the helm of affairs. They are more graceful. They add an x-factor, even though the makers are not confident that they can pull the film through. Why else would they have a cameo played by a male star? Yeah-yeah, that he is from the same spy universe is a good excuse.

Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt's efforts in making her Sita believable as a top-notch superhuman soldier come through. She is light on her feet and subtle in showing the effect of the suppression her character had to endure. Now, whether Sharvari playing Durga could have carried the film on her shoulders is a question mark. As a side character, though, she makes her presence felt. The scenes with the two of them have a spark that keeps the movie alive.

This has to do with their relatively fleshed out characters as well. They don’t have too many lines, so the broader story and their facial and body language are doing a lot of the heavy-lifting. This is highlighted by the contrasting dull treatment that Bobby Deol's and Anil Kapoor's characters receive from the writing department. Monotonous characters with "filmy" lines only go on to add to the 80s feel.

Same goes for the overall plot too. Falling back on the tried-and-tested finger-pointing at Pakistan is weary and lifeless. Sure, the writing tries to fill as many holes as it creates. It uses non-linearity. It makes us ask the question, "Wait! How did he know that?" and offers an answer right in time. Only that the answer seems lame and a cop-out while trying to seem clever. The glaring one remains a given, of course, "Why is Sita loyal to borders?"

Thankfully, the pace allows all this to pass by quickly. So, you aren't left with any one question for too long. And before you know it, the end credits roll with a run-of-the-mill item number. The women didn't get a chance to be glam, you see. As you watch it, you realise numbly that you aren't going to remember much from the film. Even though you might have been engaged for most of the 140 minutes. That's what it boils down to—not all bad while it lasts, not much to mull over later.

- meeta, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Loads, some of it gory too.
Language: Clean.
Nudity & Sexual content: None.
Concept: YRF expanding its spy universe.
General Look and Feel: Slick, smart, quick.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction: 2.5
Story: 2.5
Lead Actors: 3
Character Artists: 3

Dialogues: 2
Screenplay: 2
Music Director: 1
Lyrics: 1

Alpha - Movie Details

Official Sites: YouTube Wikipedia IMDB
Banner: Yash Raj Films
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Shiv Rawail
Lead Cast: Alia Bhatt
Supporting Cast: Hrithik Roshan , Anil Kapoor , Bobby Deol, Sharvari
Story: Uday Chopra
Screenplay: Shridhar Raghavan, Soumil Shukla
Dialogues: Ishita Moitra
Cinematography: Rubais
Editor: Aarif Shaikh
Background Score: Sanchit Balhara, Ankit Balhara
Choreography: Bosco Martis, Vijay Ganguly
Music Director: Abeer, Rohansh
Lyrics: Anvita Dutt Guptan, Kumaar, Kausar Munir, Abeer, Rohansh
Costume Designer: Aki Narula, Gunpreet Kaur Mann, Natasha Vohra, Deepali Singh Raseen
Running time: 140 minutes
Reviewer: meeta
Language: Hindi
Country: India
Genres: Action

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