Dard

After the brilliance of Toofan, expectations for Dard (2024) were naturally sky-high. Unfortunately, the movie doesn't come close to delivering. Directed by Anonno Mamun, it feels like a rushed project with lackluster execution across most areas.

While Shakib Khan's performance is, as always, commendable and the plot had some potential, the rest falls flat. The casting feels uninspired, the cinematography and color grading are dull, and the script is riddled with clichés and glaring plot holes. It's an odd mix of typical Dhallywood melodrama with hints of Tollywood flair, but the execution lacks polish.

Despite Shakib Khan's best efforts to elevate the movie, Dard is ultimately a letdown. If you're a die-hard fan, it might be worth a watch for him alone, but otherwise, it's skippable.

Rating: 4/10.

Falling for Shakib Khan, "Dorod" is among his best performances. A new discovery in Bangladeshi cinema "Dorod."

Finally, I watched the highly anticipated movie "Dorod" today, and it has introduced a new dimension to Bangladeshi cinema. Psycho-thrillers like this are rare in Bangladesh, and "Dorod" brings something fresh: "CWS" (Celebrity Worship Syndrome) - an obsessive-addictive disorder involving an intense preoccupation with a celebrity. For the first time in Bangladeshi cinema, this genre has been explored, and it's a resounding success as a Bangladeshi film. Those who enjoy psychological genres will particularly love "Dorod."

However, you'll have to stay until the end to fully understand the motive behind the story of "Dorod", and the director skillfully reveals all the motivations behind the character one by one.

What I loved the most was our megastar Shakib Khan's flawless, heartfelt acting. His performance and his expressive eyes - those who see this Shakib Khan will never question his acting again. His eyes alone seemed to act, making it impossible to look away. And in the final scene, Shakib Khan's acting will bring tears to anyone's eyes. This is the Shakib Khan we want to see again and again.

Watching Sonal Chauhan and Shakib Khan together on screen, it didn't feel like they're from two different countries; their chemistry was amazing. Everyone will love this pairing. In short, both Shakib Khan and Sonal Chauhan delivered perfect performances on screen.

Besides them, Rahul Dev, Payel Sarkar, Alok Jain, and Rajesh Sharma also performed wonderfully in this film. Although, I did expect a bit more from Payel Sarkar's character. A new Bangladeshi girl, Safa Marwa, also starred in the film; she did well and looked glamorous.

The film's setting is mainly around Banaras in India. The cinematography and screen visuals throughout were enjoyable, with camera work and color grading that were easy on the eyes. However, the director could have explored the locations in more depth.

The background music in this film was excellent, with each scene's music enhancing the depth of the story. The best part was when Shakib Khan walked in the final scene with that music playing.

The movie includes three songs, and I particularly loved the last one. Additionally, the song sung by Balam was also impressive, and parts of his song were used as background music in some scenes, which I really liked.

If I had to point out any flaws in the film, there are some technical aspects, but I can overlook them. For the first time, a psychological theme (CWS) has been depicted in Bangladeshi cinema, bringing something fresh and valuable to our industry. It's worth watching this Bangladeshi film at least once. As a Bangladeshi film, I found it to be top-notch. Shakib Khan will make your money well spent, and you'll leave having experienced a refreshing new take on Bangladeshi cinema that you'll really enjoy.

Shakib Khan has always proven his versatility and immense talent as an actor. In "DARD-Dorod", he once again shows that there is no limit to improvement. The film presents Shakib Khan in a more refined and powerful avatar, solidifying his position as one of the greatest actors of our time. Watching him perform in "DARD-Dorod" left me in awe-it's undoubtedly one of his best performances to date. This film feels like a groundbreaking addition to Bangladeshi cinema.

Today, I watched the highly anticipated movie "DARD-Dorod", which has brought a new dimension to Bangladeshi cinema. Psychological thrillers are rare in any industry, let alone in ours. But "DARD-Dorod" introduces this genre with a fresh perspective, exploring the concept of Celebrity Worship Syndrome (CWS)-a psychological disorder characterized by an obsessive fascination with celebrities.

Among all the psychological thrillers I've seen, this is the only film that has tackled CWS as a central theme. It's a unique Genre & applied for the first in any Bangladeshi cinema (I think this is the first ever film with this theme), and it's executed successfully. If you enjoy Psychological Thriller films, you're likely to appreciate "DARD-Dorod".

To truly grasp the film's purpose, you'll need to stay engaged until the very end, as the director masterfully unveils the motivations behind the characters step by step.

What impressed me most was the stellar performance by our Megastar, Shakib Khan. His nuanced acting and expressive eyes make "DARD-Dorod" a memorable experience. His performance in the end scenes is so emotionally compelling that it will leave many in tears. This is the Shakib Khan we want to see more of-one who captivates the audience effortlessly.

The chemistry between Shakib Khan and Sonal Chauhan was amazing; they felt perfectly in sync, despite being from different countries. Everyone will love this pairing, and both delivered flawless performances.

Supporting cast members like Rahul Dev, Payel Sarkar, Alok Jain, and Rajesh Sharma also gave commendable performances. However, I expected a bit more from Payel Sarkar's character. New Bangladeshi actress Safa Marwa also appeared in the film, and she did a good job while adding a touch of glamour to the screen.

The setting of the film primarily revolves around Varanasi, India. The cinematography and visuals were enjoyable, with excellent camera work and soothing color palettes. However, I felt the locations could have been utilized even more effectively to enhance the narrative depth.

The background score was phenomenal, enhancing the emotional depth of each scene. The music during Shakib Khan's walk in the final sequence was especially captivating. The film features three songs, with "Jism Mein Tere" partially used as background music in certain scenes, which blended beautifully with the narrative.

If I were to point out flaws, there are.

🎬 Film Review: Dard (2024) Genre: Psychological Thriller No Spoilers

A doctor and a superstar actor are murdered in the city. Is Dulu Mia responsible, or is someone else behind it? To find out, you need to watch Dard.

Expectations from a Shakib Khan movie are typically low. Criticizing his work often invites unpleasant backlash, and even mentioning that you've watched his films may provoke ridicule. Moreover, the controversial director Anonno Mamun is known for creating more buzz than delivering results. While Shakib Khan has been striving to deliver cleaner films since last year, Anonno Mamun's filmography is almost devoid of hits. With this combination, I had no intention of watching this movie. But after watching it, I realized I had been wrong.

✅ Positives:

1. Shakib Khan's brilliant performance in a psycho role - He is evolving, carefully selecting scripts, which is commendable. While he was once criticized for poor-quality films and acting, his efforts to redefine his career deserve applause. His chemistry with Sonal Chauhan is lively, and the emotional scenes are well-executed.

2. A unique concept for Bangladeshi cinema - To my knowledge, this kind of storyline is unprecedented in the industry, and the trailer didn't give much away. The overall plot was quite engaging.

3. A fast-paced screenplay - The narrative never drags or feels stretched unnecessarily, ensuring you're not bored at any point.

4. Background music and cinematography - While the BGM is slightly loud, it effectively sets a thrilling atmosphere. The location in Varanasi and the cinematography stand out. Additionally, Imran's song is the only one that truly touched my heart.

⛔ Negatives:

1. Predictability - The film becomes too predictable, especially for viewers accustomed to watching thrillers. They'll likely figure out everything from the start.

2. Weak dialogue in romantic scenes - While the performances make up for it, the romantic portions could have benefitted from better writing.

3. Over-the-top comedy and villain portrayal - Some of Shakib's comedic scenes feel a bit loud, though not unbearable. The negative characters could have been more distinct to deliver a stronger impact.

4. Underwhelming climax twist - The twist in the climax could have been presented better. The director attempts to leave some aspects unexplained but ends up making it feel incomplete.

Final Thoughts:

Judging films solely by their box office performance is unfair. This movie is clearly targeted at a classy audience, not Shakib Khan's typical fanbase, who may not appreciate it. Neutral viewers, however, might expect a more polished screenplay. The lack of effective promotion, a non-festive release, and Anonno Mamun's marketing missteps could lead to its commercial failure.

Overall, Dard felt like a reasonably good movie. The most surprising elements were Shakib Khan's impressive acting and Anonno Mamun's unexpectedly enjoyable direction. With a more refined screenplay, the twists could have been genuinely surprising.

Masterpiece

A perfect romantic thriller 9/10

Shakib Khan single handedly carried the whole movie. The BGM of the movie was awesome. Camera work, editing is very good. The sad version song of the movie is the most beautiful. Shakib Khan has shown great acting skills as a psychopath. Shakib Khan is playing with the character in the whole movie. The moments of crying and psycho laughter in the same scene were great. The last scene proved once again how great Shakib Khan's acting skills are.

Director Ananya Mamun is presenting Shakib Khan as an actor rather than Heroism. The making of this movie is much better than any previous movie of Anonno Mamun.

Sonal Chauhan and Shakib Khan's chemistry was great. Even though dubbing, his performance is excellent. Seeing her chemistry with Shakib Khan, it seemed that they would have paired up in many more movies. It was nice to see the two on screen. Everyone has done well including Rahul Dev, Rajesh Sharma, Payal Sarkar.

If we talk about the weak side of the movie, it would have been better if the runtime had been shortened by excluding the slow first half and some other unnecessary things of the movie. Instead, they could have given another romantic song.

All in all Dorod is a great Bangladeshi movie. Someone in Bangla cinema has dared to make such a psychopath-romantic genre movie, director Anonno Mamun deserves a big thank you.