Tag / #moviereview

by whatsonsidsmind

Dhurandhar Review: A Taut Spy Thriller That Delivers on Craft

Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan | 8 Min Read

Dhurandhar opens with an unusually long disclaimer, firmly announcing itself as a work of fiction. What follows therafter is a mingling of fact and fiction, a narrative that is “inspired by” rather than “based on” real events. From the very first scenes, which reference the Kandahar hijack and the 2001 Parliament attack, where real life footage is juxtaposed with fictional scenes, the director makes his position clear: that creative liberties have been taken. However, I choose to take him at his word and engage with Dhurandhar for what it claims to be: a film, not a documentary. The real question then is this. As a film, is Dhurandhar any good, and does it live up to the hype?

The Story:

Dhurandhar starts off with a bang, referencing historical events, and then gradually transporting us into a world we have only glimpsed through news reports and documentaries. It is a landscape of terror, dirty politics, and hardcore brutality, where morality has long collapsed. Power, money, and domination are the only currencies that matter. The story unfolds through the eyes of Hamza (Ranveer Singh), an Indian spy tasked with infiltrating the very heart of terrorism in Pakistan by Ajay Sanyal (R.Madhavan) from the Indian Intelligence. He enters a dog-eat-dog world where survival demands savagery. Hamza must learn how these men think, identify their strengths and vulnerabilities, and make his moves with calculated invisibility. The two-hour-long first half patiently builds the world of Lyari, where crime is a way of life and rogue men commit despicable crimes. To earn their trust, Hamza must first become one of them.

Despite its longish first half, this is where the film is at its most engaging. The introduction of characters is riveting. Enter Rehman Dakait, played with chilling restraint by Akshaye Khanna, a Baloch leader determined to conquer Lyari, carve a path into Karachi’s political corridors, and secure long-denied respect for his community. Standing in his way is the vile minister Jameel Jamali, portrayed by Rakesh Bedi, a man willing to align with the devil to cling to power.

Then there is Major Iqbal, played by Arjun Rampal, a crafty ISI operator who will stop at nothing to unleash chaos in India, relying on a toxic alliance of gangsters and politicians to do his bidding. Completing this volatile quad is SP Chaudhary Aslam, played by Sanjay Dutt, a man driven by a deeply personal vendetta against Rehman Dakait and thirsting for blood. Trapped within this ruthless ecosystem, Hamza must navigate the dark alleys of Lyari, becoming an invisible presence that quietly works towards dismantling Pakistan’s terror networks from within.

Screenplay:

The screenplay, written by director Aditya Dhar, is intelligent and perfectly paced, offering several edge-of-the-seat moments. The one that lingered with me is the montage where the top goons of the rival gang are wiped out with chilling brutality by Rehman Dakait’s men. Dhar, skillfully crafts these big moments, and when they arrive the action choreography, camerawork, background score and editing operate in complete sync.

Despite the heavy use of expletives, which feels organic to the milieu and not gratuitous, the dialogue delivery remains cold and restrained, recalling the stark realism of Satya or another RGV classic, Shiva. This restraint lends the narrative a strong sense of authenticity. The only element that does not fully land is the love story between Hamza and Yalina, where the conviction that defines the rest of the film feels slightly diluted. Still, this remains a minor blemish in an otherwise tightly written film that is thrilling, dark, often funny, and unquestionably entertaining.

Technical Aspects:

From a technical standpoint, even the harshest critics will find little to fault in Dhurandhar. Lyari emerges as a character in its own right, recreated with remarkable authenticity in Thailand by the production design team. The stark landscapes of Ladakh convincingly stand in for Baloch tribal regions, while stretches shot in Mumbai and Punjab blend seamlessly into the film’s geography. Costume, hair and make-up departments show meticulous attention to detail, with several actors, notably Arjun Rampal and R. Madhavan, appearing almost unrecognizable in their transformations.

The action of Dhurandhar is another of its highlights. There is a fine art to staging brutal action. In Hindi cinema it often tips into excess, and even big-budget Hollywood films do not always make the violence feel grounded or raw. It begins with strong writing and is sustained by precise choreography, cinematography, prosthetics and sound design working in unison. Dhurandhar achieves this balance with assurance. Shashwat Sachdev’s music plays a crucial role in shaping the film’s impact. The background score is fresh, experimental and finely attuned to the film’s shifting moods. The songs too integrate naturally into the narrative.

What ultimately stands out is the synchronicity between departments. Nothing draws attention to itself. Every technical element serves the storytelling, allowing the film’s world and its scenes to unfold with controlled, unsettling effectiveness.

Performances:

Mukesh Chhabra’s casting is spot on. Every actor fits their part so organically that, after a point, you stop seeing the performer and only see the character. This level of immersion has been rare in mainstream Hindi cinema in recent years. Unsurprisingly, the performances emerge as the film’s biggest strength.

Much has been said about Akshaye Khanna’s role as Rehman Dakait. The real stroke of genius lies in the casting itself. There is an element of surprise in seeing him in this role, but it also plays perfectly to his strengths. The character demands restraint, menace, and control, with much of the emotion conveyed through silence and expressive eyes, something Khanna handles with chilling precision.

That said, Dhurandhar is ultimately carried on Ranveer Singh’s shoulders, and he delivers a performance that hits it out of the park. As Hamza, an Indian operative working in the shadows, Ranveer completely inhabits the role. The physical transformation is impressive, but it is his internal work that truly stands out. He captures Hamza’s vulnerability, intelligence, and quiet resolve with remarkable balance. Present in almost every frame, yet required to remain invisible within the narrative, Ranveer approaches the part with restraint, maturity, and exceptional control. This is easily among the finest performances of his career, possibly his best so far. With a second part slated for release in March next year, promising deeper revelations about Hamza, it is a prospect that cinegoers can look forward to with genuine excitement.

Conclusion:

Despite the controversies surrounding it, Dhurandhar emerges as one of the finest films of the year. Does it pander to a certain degree of propaganda? Yes, it does. But so have countless films in the past, across ideological spectrums. The question then is not whether propaganda exists, but whether one kind is deemed more acceptable than another. In my view, a film should be watched for what it is: a film. It is not the place to seek historical or political truth. For that, there are books, research papers, and documentaries, many of them available on this very subject.

As a reviewer, I do not believe in bringing personal ideology into the act of criticism. The responsibility is to engage with the film on its own terms. If one wishes to be an activist, that is a different calling altogether. Film criticism demands a certain distance, and an honest evaluation of craft.

The past few years have seen several so-called hyper-nationalistic films fail at the box office, not because of ideology, but because they were poorly made. No narrative can rescue a bad film. Dhurandhar succeeds because it is a well-crafted piece of cinema that delivers exactly what it promises. From its trailer, the intent is clear: a specific worldview, a hard-edged language, unflinching violence, and an adult-only viewing experience. Approaching such a film with a fixed confirmation bias is the surest way to miss what it is trying to do.

All said, it is difficult to deny the film’s technical and narrative strengths. Across departments, Dhurandhar comes out triumphant. While it may momentarily lean into a particular narrative, these instances do not derail the momentum of its gripping screenplay. The only caveat is a wish for greater honesty in its disclaimer.

Ultimately, Dhurandhar deserves to be seen for its taut writing, commanding performances, experimental score, and sustained edge-of-the-seat drama. This is cinema designed for the big screen.

Verdict:

IMDb rating: 8.6/10

My Rating: 4/5

Watch Dhurandhar in a theatre near you.

Read the review of Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Part 2) here: https://tinyurl.com/29vda96j

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Recommended watch:

If you are interested to know more about Lyari and its gang culture watch this documentary by Vice made 13 years ago – Pakistan’s most violent city.

Pic credits: Jio Studios & B62 Studios

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About the author:

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’. An enthusiastic blogger he shares his essays, travelogues, book and movie reviews on his blog (www.whatsonsidsmind.com).

by whatsonsidsmind

Unraveling the Father-Son Knot | The Mehta Boys – Review

Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan | 3 Min Read

Boman Irani’s directorial debut, The Mehta Boys, which he has co-written with Alexander Dinelaris, the Oscar winning screenwriter of Birdman, doesn’t feel like the work of a first-time filmmaker. A celebrated actor with a career spanning 25 years, Irani steps behind the camera to tell a story of a father and son navigating a complicated relationship. But aren’t all father-son relationships tricky? What sets this film apart in a genre well-explored in Hindi cinema? This is where the film’s sharp screenplay shines, offering a fresh perspective. The Mehta Boys is often funny but turns serious when it needs to, refusing to dilute its social commentary with humor.

When Boman Irani debuted as a Hindi film actor at the turn of the millennium, he didn’t look like a newcomer. Perhaps it was because he was already 40, bringing with him a wealth of life experience that shaped his performances. It’s something today’s young actors could learn from. This approach gave us unforgettable characters like Dr. Asthana (Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.), Kishan Khurana (Khosla Ka Ghosla), and Viru Sahastrabuddhe (3 Idiots), among many others. Now, at 65, he remains at the top of his game—both as an actor and, with The Mehta Boys, as a director.

The film opens with evocative shots of Amay’s home, played by an excellent Avinash Tiwary. His house, much like him, is flawed yet functional, holding itself together despite its problems. The first thing that stands out is the meticulous production design. Each room has a distinct personality, telling its own silent story. Much of the film unfolds within these walls, making the space almost a character in itself.

Another standout aspect of The Mehta Boys is its cinematography, which instantly reminded me of Birdman—not just in the way the camera moves, but in how light and color are used to heighten emotions. The camerawork is dynamic, adapting seamlessly to the film’s tonal shifts. In the chaotic, comedic moments, it moves swiftly, almost playfully. But when the film demands weight, the camera slows, locking into tight close-ups to amplify emotion before gradually pulling back to reveal multiple perspectives. There’s an old-school simplicity to the way scenes are framed, yet it blends effortlessly with modern techniques, ensuring that not a single moment feels dull.

But the true strength of The Mehta Boys lies in its performances. Boman Irani as Shiv Mehta, Avinash Tiwary as his son Amay, Puja Sarup as daughter Anu, and Shreya Chaudhry as Amay’s love interest, Zara—all are impeccably cast, delivering pitch-perfect performances. With the film relying heavily on tight and extreme close-ups, every expression had to land, and the actors rise to the challenge.

At its core, the film is an intense exploration of the father-son dynamic, where every scene carries weight. This makes the chemistry between Boman and Avinash crucial—and it crackles with energy. Yet, the most striking moment for me is Anu’s meltdown at the airport. As she realizes that neither her father nor her brother will budge, even in the face of crisis, her frustration erupts in a way that is agonizing, hilarious, and utterly human. It’s a scene that perfectly encapsulates the film’s emotional depth and sharp writing reminding me of earlier gems in this genre like Kapoor & Sons.

In an interview with ET Now, Boman Irani shared that The Mehta Boys doesn’t offer solutions to father-son conflicts—because that was never the film’s intent. Instead, it embraces the complexity of these relationships, capturing their highs and lows with honesty. And in doing so, it takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster. I laughed wholeheartedly. I cried just as much. I saw glimpses of my own relationship with my father—the love, the friction, the unspoken words.

But what lingers most is the realization that Boman himself never met his father, having lost him six months before he was born. And yet, he writes the character of Shiv Mehta with such depth, nuance, and style. That, more than anything, tells me this is a man who has truly lived and observed life. This is a stellar directorial debut by a brilliant actor.

Verdict:

IMDb rating – 7.3/10

My Rating – 4/5

The Mehta Boys is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

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About the author:

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’. An enthusiastic blogger he shares his articles, essays, travelogues, book and movie reviews on his blog (www.whatsonsidsmind.com).

by whatsonsidsmind

13 Groundbreaking Horror Films of the Last Decade That Will Haunt Your Mind

Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan | 11-Min Read

Horror is my favorite genre because it’s fluid and adaptable, like water—filling any shape, taking on any tone. Its strength comes from something primal: fear, a pulse that flows through every living being, often in ways we barely recognize. It waits quietly beneath the surface, until some trigger—pain, grief, or madness—brings it flooding out. As Guillermo del Toro says, “Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes they win.” Horror endures because fear is universal, a constant that binds us all.

Yet horror is also a genre worn thin; tropes are overused, sub-genres fully explored and jump scares have begun to bore. But every so often, a filmmaker breaks through, pushing the boundaries and bringing fresh depth to the screen. This list celebrates 13 such films from around the world, all available on streaming (except one). Selected for their craft, impact, and originality, these aren’t big-budget spectacles but films that redefine the genre’s limits. Some had quiet releases but have since found a devoted cult following. Each deserves a place on any horror fan’s must-watch list.

Warning – None of the films in this list are for the faint of heart.

13. Longlegs (2024) : Language – English, Country – USA, Director – Osgood Perkins, Streaming – Amazon Prime Video

Longlegs introduces a chillingly real villain, Dale Ferdinand Kobble—a character so disturbing he could be the twisted sibling of Hannibal Lecter and Pennywise. Played by an unrecognizable Nicolas Cage, Kobble is the only non-supernatural villain on this list, making him even more terrifying.

The story follows FBI Agent Lee Harker, who is assigned to a long-cold serial killer case. As Harker delves deeper, new evidence emerges, hinting at occult involvement. Soon, Harker discovers a haunting personal connection to Kobble and must stop him before he strikes again.

IMDb rating – 6.7/10

My Rating – 7/10

12. Vivarium (2019) : Language – English, Country – USA, Director – Lorcan Finnegan, Streaming – Amazon Prime Video

Gemma (Imogen Poots), a high school teacher, and her boyfriend Tom (Jesse Eisenberg), a landscaper, visit a bizarre suburban development called Yonder. They’re shown house number 9 by an unsettling real estate agent, Martin, who vanishes after learning they don’t have children. As they attempt to leave, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish maze—no matter the route, they end up back at house 9. With no choice but to stay, they’re supplied with tasteless packaged food by an unknown source. Desperate, Tom sets the house ablaze and spends the night outside with Gemma, only for them to receive a chilling package the next morning: an infant and a note reading, “Raise the child and be released.” What ensues is an absurd, terrifying descent into the surreal, where reality bends in disturbing, darkly humorous ways.

IMDb rating – 5.9/10

My rating – 7/10

11. Babadook (2014) : Language – English, Country – Australia, Director – Jennifer Kent, Streaming – Amazon Prime Video

Amelia, an exhausted single mother, struggles to cope with the trauma of her husband’s tragic death, which occurred as he drove her to the hospital while she was in labor. Now, she faces the daily challenge of raising her troubled six-year-old son, Sam, who exhibits erratic behavior and is fixated on an imaginary monster he believes is haunting them. One night, Sam asks her to read a disturbing pop-up book called Mister Babadook, which seems to appear out of nowhere and eerily describes a menacing creature. As the story convinces Sam that his monster is real, a series of terrifying events blurs the line between reality and nightmare, binding Amelia’s past, her grief, and her fears into a haunting tale of psychological horror.

IMDb rating – 6.8/10

My Rating – 7.5/10

10. The Platform (2019) : Language – Spanish, Country – Spain, Director – Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, Streaming – Netflix

The Platform is a Spanish dystopian thriller that explores human nature through a brutal, thought-provoking lens. Set in a massive tower with hundreds of floors, inmates are fed by a descending platform that starts fully stocked at the top but dwindles to scraps—or nothing—by the lower levels. Each floor must survive on the leftovers of those above, and anyone who defies the system faces horrific punishment. Adding to the chaos, residents are randomly reassigned floors each month, thrusting them from privilege to desperation. What unfolds is a harrowing tale of survival that, while not strictly horror, taps into our deepest fears and lays bare the darkness of human behavior in a world of scarcity.

IMDb rating – 7/10

My Rating – 7.5/10

9. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) : Language – English, Country – USA, Director – Yorgos Lanthimos, Streaming – Amazon Prime Video

The Killing of a Sacred Deer, directed by the audacious Yorgos Lanthimos, follows Steven, a cardiovascular surgeon, who crosses paths with a peculiar 16-year-old boy named Martin after performing an open heart surgery. Steven invites Martin for dinner, where he meets Steven’s wife and two children and quickly becomes unsettlingly close with the family. As Martin’s presence in their lives intensifies, he begins to invade Steven’s world in increasingly disturbing and inexplicable ways. A series of bizarre, even supernatural events unfold, forcing Steven to confront Martin’s dark, enigmatic motives. Lanthimos crafts a chilling, surreal narrative that leaves audiences with haunting questions—and no intention of offering any answers.

IMDb rating – 7/10

My rating – 7.5/10

8. Talk to Me (2022) : Language – English, Country – Australia, Director – Danny and Michael Philippou, Streaming – Amazon Prime Video

Talk to Me, an Australian horror film, breathes new life into the well-worn theme of spirit channeling which includes—Ouija board, table seance etc. The story follows Mia, a teenager grappling with her mother’s death, who attends a high-stakes party seeking escape. There, the kids toy with a sinister new method of contacting the dead—a disembodied hand that allows them to become mediums. What begins as a thrill quickly spirals into horror as they lose control, crossing into dangerous, unseen realms. With clever twists, stylish camerawork, a trippy background score and razor-sharp editing, Talk to Me delivers a gripping, nightmarish ride that reinvents the genre.

IMDb rating – 7.1/10

My rating – 8/10

7. Lamb (2021) : Language – Icelandic, Country – Iceland, Sweden & Poland, Director – Valdimar Jóhannsson, Streaming – MUBI

On the absurdity scale, few films rival the Icelandic film, Lamb. The story follows farmers Ingvar and Maria, a grieving couple, who live a solitary life, unable to move beyond the loss of their only child. Their days are filled with the hard, numbing work of tending to their farm—until a shocking event disrupts their routine. A sheep gives birth to a creature that is part lamb, part human. The couple decides to raise this hybrid as their own child, creating a life that’s as tender as it is unsettling. What unfolds is an eerie, darkly humorous tale that’s hauntingly original.

IMDb rating – 6.3/10

My rating – 8/10

6. Midsommar (2019) : Language – English, Country – USA & Sweden, Director – Ari Aster, Streaming – Apple TV for rent

In Midsommar, director Ari Aster weaves a disturbing tale of grief, psychological torment, and cultural horror. After a tragic family loss, Dani (Florence Pugh) accompanies her distant boyfriend, Christian, and his friends to a secluded Swedish commune’s midsummer festival. What begins as a peaceful celebration soon descends into a nightmarish ordeal. The group is subjected to brutal rituals, psychological manipulation, and strange communal customs, including sacrificial ceremonies and hallucinogenic trips. As Dani is drawn deeper into the cult’s world, she finds herself torn between horror and acceptance. The final scene’s shocking twist reveals Dani’s unsettling transformation, challenging viewers with its potent blend of folk horror and emotional vulnerability.

IMDb rating – 7.1/10

My rating – 8/10

5. Goodnight Mommy (2014) : Language – Austrian, Country – Austria, Director – Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, Streaming – Amazon Prime Video

In the Austrian psychological thriller Goodnight Mommy, twin ten-year-old boys are unsettled when their mother returns to their idyllic lakeside home after facial surgery, her face swathed in bandages with only her eyes and mouth exposed. Her behavior is cold and unrecognizable—she imposes silence, demands the blinds stay drawn, and insists they only play outside. Convinced this is not their mother but an imposter, the boys take matters into their own hands, tying her to the bed and subjecting her to disturbing acts to make her confess. Far from a simple “torture fest,” the film explores identity and trust in a nuanced, yet chilling descent into horror, made even more haunting by the fact that the perpetrators are children.

The film was remade in English with the same name and released in 2022, starring Naomi Watts.

IMDb rating – 6.7/10

My rating – 8/10

4. Bramayugam (2024) : Language – Malayalam, Country – India, Director – Rahul Sadasivan, Streaming – Sony LIV

Bramayugam draws deeply from the folklore, myths, and legends of Kerala, telling the haunting story of Thevan, a low-caste court singer who narrowly escapes slavery only to find himself in a mysterious, ominous mana (mansion). Its owner, Kodumon Potti, is a menacing figure whose words and intentions are shrouded in deceit. As the story unfolds, it slips into the supernatural, revealing Kodumon Potti’s dark identity and malevolent plans. Set entirely in black and white, director Rahul Sadasivan’s choice evokes nostalgia, recalling tales passed down through generations, while intensifying the story’s eerie, oppressive atmosphere. Bramayugam is both a chilling supernatural thriller and a profound commentary on power, greed, and social oppression, set against the backdrop of a surreal world.

IMDb rating – 7.8/10

My rating – 8.5/10

3. The Witch (2015) : Language – English, Country – USA & Canada, Director – Robert Eggers, Streaming – Amazon Prime Video on rent

Robert Eggers’ haunting directorial debut and a breakout role for a young Anya Taylor-Joy, is a chilling New England folktale set in the 1630s. After a Puritan family is banished over a religious dispute, they build a farm on the edge of a dense, foreboding forest. Soon, sinister forces seem to close in, as their newborn mysteriously vanishes—taken, it seems, by a witch lurking in the shadows. What unfolds is far from a typical supernatural tale; it’s a slow-burning descent into dread, artfully shot and rich with subtext. The film’s use of animals to amplify terror creates an unsettling atmosphere.

IMDb rating – 7/10

My rating – 8.5/10

2. Tumbbad (2018) : Language – Hindi, Country – India, Director – Rahi Anil Barve, Streaming – Currently not streaming since it was re-released in theatres

Tumbbad is arguably India’s finest horror film in recent years—original, intelligent, and hauntingly crafted. Set in 1920s Tumbbad, it follows three generations of a family suffering the consequences of their greed after building a forbidden temple for Hastar, the first-born of the Goddess of Prosperity. Hastar, a cursed entity, can grant gold but brings ruin to those who seek it. Legend has it that when the Goddess created the world, she bore Hastar first, favoring him, but his insatiable greed led him to seize both wealth and food. In fury, his divine siblings overpowered him, sparing his life only on the condition that he would never be worshiped.

The story centers on Vinayak, a man consumed by poverty and desperate for wealth, who uncovers the dangerous secret of accessing Hastar’s riches. Tumbbad explores the boundless depths of human greed with a chilling allegory, underscored by breathtaking cinematography and masterful production and sound design. It’s a timeless tale of temptation and consequence, both eerie and unforgettable.

IMDb rating – 8.2/10

My Rating – 9/10

1. Hereditary (2018) : Language – English, Country – USA, Director – Ari Aster, Streaming – Amazon Prime Video

Ari Aster’s debut film, Hereditary, is a modern horror masterpiece that exemplifies nuanced storytelling. The story follows Annie, a miniature artist, and her family as they grapple with the death of her secretive mother. Soon, buried family secrets begin to surface, and the family’s grief opens a door to the supernatural, pulling both Annie and her family into dark, otherworldly experiences. As they confront generational trauma and sinister legacies, evil forces entwine their lives with terrifying consequences. Haunting cinematography, impeccable framing, and Toni Collette’s powerful performance elevate Hereditary, making it one of the most unforgettable horror films of the last decade.

IMDb rating – 7.3/10

My Rating – 9.5/10

You’ll notice some big-ticket films like Get Out, Train to Busan, and IT aren’t on this list. These movies have already gained massive attention, so instead, this list spotlights hidden gems that may have flown under the radar of horror fans. In terms of craft and originality, they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best. Hoping it’s of some use.

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About the author –

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’. A mad dog lover, tripaholic and a tale-weaver who shares his essays, travelogues, book and movie reviews on his blog (www.whatsonsidsmind.com).

by whatsonsidsmind

Sector 36: A Gripping Descent into the Mind of a Psychopath and the System that Breed Them

Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan | 3-Min Read

Sector 36 delivers one of the most gripping and unsettling police interrogation scenes in recent Hindi cinema. While Kannada film Shakhahaari featured something similar, Sector 36 manages to manifest itself into something more powerful. The film rests squarely on the shoulders of its lead actors, particularly Vikrant Massey, whose portrayal of the villain is nothing short of transformative. Massey inhabits the despicable character, Prem, with chilling precision, delivering a gut-wrenching, blood-curdling performance that serves as an acting masterclass. It’s the kind of performance that industry heavyweights could learn from. The confrontation between the hero and villain in this scene is intense, raw, and unforgettable.

The film isn’t built on intricate plot twists, grand reveals, or mysteries. From the very start, the film sets the audience’s expectations—it’s not about the story, but about the characters. This is a purely character-driven narrative, and that’s where its real power lies. The writing makes it clear that the plot is secondary, guiding viewers to focus on the complexities of the individuals on screen. We’re drawn in not by what happens, but by who it happens to, and how these deeply flawed characters navigate a corrupt system and each other.

Sector 36 is not just an investigative thriller; it’s a deep dive into the mind of a psychopath and an indictment of the system that fosters such monstrosities. The film paints a picture of a corrupt, decaying society, one that becomes a breeding ground for these individuals to thrive. As Vikrant Massey explained in an interview with Baradwaj Rangan, Ramcharan Pandey (played by an excellent Deepak Dobriyal), the flawed hero of the story, mirrors society itself—he remains passive until the problem lands on his doorstep. This, Massey argues, reflects our collective psyche, where we remain indifferent until the crisis becomes personal.

The film also deftly tackles socio-economic disparity, highlighting how these inequalities fuel the crimes we see. The privileged are conditioned to believe that these problems belong to “others”—until they, too, are forced to confront the reality. This nuanced commentary is skillfully woven into the narrative, conveyed through the film’s rich, layered characters. Sector 36 is as much a character study as it is a societal critique, delivered through powerful performances that elevate the film’s underlying message.

Verdict:

IMDb – 7.5/10
My rating – 4/5

You can watch Sector 36 on Netflix.

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About the author –

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’. An enthusiastic blogger he shares his essays, travelogues, book and movie reviews on his blog (www.whatsonsidsmind.com).