Fardeen Bunglowala

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Expectations soared high for "Murder Mubarak," only to be murdered by the film's end. Despite boasting a stellar cast, this eccentric whodunit thriller fails to deliver. Pankaj Tripathi, Vijay Varma, Brijendra Kala, Sanjay Kapoor, and Tisca Chopra pour their talents into their roles, yet even their prowess cannot salvage Sara Ali Khan's lackluster performance. Her portrayal falls short of the character's depth, leaving viewers yearning for a more skilled actor to inhabit the role. While the film boasts its fair share of chuckle-worthy moments, they are but fleeting distractions in a narrative that ultimately fails to justify the investment of time. Homi Adajania, known for his debut masterpiece "Being Cyrus," struggles to recapture the same brilliance here. One can only hope that his future endeavors will once again shine as brightly as his inaugural work.

Sriram Raghavan, the mastermind behind films like Andhadhun, Badlapur, and Johnny Gaddar, adds another intriguing movie to his repertoire with a slow-burning thriller that had our expectations soaring. When the trailer was dropped, the unexpected duo of Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi piqued our curiosity. Katrina embodies the sophisticated Sobo Catholic lady, and while her Hindi may not flow seamlessly, she holds her ground. Yet, a more seasoned actor could have effortlessly conveyed her troubled psyche. Sethupathi, flexing his acting prowess, leaves us wanting more substance in his role. The familiar faces from Raghavan's cinematic universe grace the screen, delighting loyal fans. The initial half is a deliberate crawl, setting the stage for a second-half loaded with 'killer' twists. The meticulous detailing is commendable, and the nostalgic burst of the old chartbuster 'Jab andhera hota hai' adds a musical charm. The anticipated twists and turns eventually arrive but lack the knockout punch expected. The film, though consistently engaging, falls short of creating the desired impact. Amidst the peculiar occurrences, we're primed for a grand revelation that, unfortunately, feels subtle and understated. Perhaps the slow start and the restrained ending didn't resonate well with the audience, reflecting in a less-than-merry box office outcome. In essence, it's a mixed bag – a film laden with promise that could have delivered a more powerful punch, leaving us yearning for a bit more cinematic fireworks.

A captivating drama with its heart in the right place. It takes time to adjust to the black and white cinematography but you understand and appreciate the aesthetic once you're in the midst of the movie. The entire cast has given stellar performances. Rajkumar Rao, Pankaj Kapur and Aditya Srivastav shine the most. Bhumi Pednekar, Dia Mirza and Ashutosh Rana do well with the material they have. The background score is remarkable and the song at the end is brilliantly composed and sung. The dialogues hit the right spot. Kudos to Anubhav Sinha for making this masterpiece of a film which tackles several social issues and forces us to introspect on what it means to be "human".