Berlin

Can you have a slow moving thriller? Yes you can and this is a perfect example. Granted that this is a spy story set in early 90s Delhi and a major part of the movie consists of interrogation of a deaf mute by a sign language expert, the pace could have been made faster. A sluggish portion of around 30 minutes could have been easily clipped off resulting in the creation of a 90 minutes long taut and riveting thriller.

Despite this shortcoming all credit is due to director Atul Sabharwal for realistically presenting the environment of a questioning in progress in a claustrophobic room and the dark interiors all this amidst the ongoing intrigue filled action. Even the shrill ringing of the archaic telephone is made to sound ominous and sinister. The question and answer in sign language is far too extensively picturised and becomes monotonous after some time. The old world charm of the 90s including the buses, Fiat cars, cradle telephones, tape recorders etc has been brought out well. (The setting and picturisation resembles the work of Martin Scorsese at places.) The series of complex events and the subplots at one point become boring to pursue and correlate. In the acting department Aparshakti Khurana and Rahul Bose have done fairly well though I felt that they were unnecessarily wooden. There are also a few inaccuracies which have become glaring.

This story actually resembles a spy thriller without the traditional potboiler and the fuss. Berlin revolves around the story of the two premier intelligence agencies in India who, instead of competing against the foreign enemy, compete against each other to gain brownie points.

The plot of this movie slowly unfolds, and when it actually unfolds, I bet you will be in awe of the storytelling technique. Lots of breadcrumbs have been intentionally left to give you the wow factor that you get when confronted with a fact hidden in plain sight. I recommend this movie for the pure joy you get when a mystery is unfolded and the mystery is about your country.

One of the best thrillers to come out recently. The story is quite engaging and at par with Hollywood movies . The movie is not for ones seeking acton but for those who enjoy a good story build-up. The story is engaging from the start and does not take time to delve into the main plot .

The climax comes with a twist that is almost non existent in Bollywood.

The cinematography depicting the Delhi of the 90's is quite beautifully done.

The acting is commendable especially for Iswak Singh, whose facial expressions convey his emotions aptly

The story stays on with you even after you have finished the movie.

Give this move a chance and you will not regret it.

I had my reservations about watching the film due to its mood and Aparshakti leading the cast. I'm glad to have been proven wrong, at least in terms of the former.

In 1993, after the end of the Cold War, a deaf and mute person is arrested on suspicion of being a spy. A sign language expert is brought in to interrogate him, only to discover that there are more lies than truths.

The story is based on Sabharwal's short story, The Decipherer. Right from the start, you're thrown into a world full of questions, even before the premise is set. Hold your horses-by the time the credits roll, you'll have all your answers and feel heavy with the weight of the truth. Atul Sabharwal manages to maintain the thrill while keeping the story engaging.

Aparshakti Khurana plays the most important role, but I feel he was the weakest among the cast. He has a similar acting style in every movie, regardless of the character. His emotional scenes are jarring, with an odd tendency to widen his eyes. Rahul Bose, on the other hand, nails his part, and it was a pleasure to watch him after such a long time. The surprise package, Ishwak Singh, was natural in his role, delivering a solid performance.

At many points in the movie, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat or biting your nails-a true sign of a well-executed thriller. The dark mood fits the narrative perfectly, and the accurate depiction of sign language adds to the film's authenticity.

If you have a taste for serious drama with a thriller edge, you'll definitely find this film interesting.

#pranureviews #Berlin #BerlinReview"

Movie Review: Hindi Film Berlin streaming on Zee5!!

Berlin is an espionage thriller, set in 1993 , a few days prior to the visit of the Russian president to India, a deaf- mute person Ashok (Ishwaq Singh) is arrested for being a spy. He is the only person who might have a clue to an assassination plot that threatens to derail the entire fabric of Indian politics.

Pushkin ( Aparshakti Khurana), a sign language expert is brought in by the Bureau chief Sondhi ( Rahul Bose) to interrogate Ashok . As the interrogation proceeds , the thin line between guilt & innocence blurs. Things are not what they seem and there is something sinister brewing in the backdrop !!

A mind bender in the true sense . A gripping faceoff between Aparshakti & Ishwaq is the highlight as both try to get an upper hand in the interrogation!! The effort put in by the lead characters, especially their proficiency in sign language shows, as they breeze through the interrogation like 2 specially abled persons talking effortlessly ! Impressive indeed 👍 🙂!

Another aspect showcased brilliantly is the intense rivalry between 2 top security agencies in India , the Bureau & Wing , their disjointed way of working and reluctance to collaborate for the greater good of the country!! Sad State of affairs indeed !!

And finally, how is the name Berlin relevant in the context of the narrative ??

The climax too is out of the world that will blow you away!!

If you're a fan of edge of the seat thrillers, this Aparshakti Khurana, Ishwaq Singh, Rahul Bose starter is definitely recommended!!

Going with 3.5/5 for this one.. Adios 🙂!!

#sanjuzzreviews #berlinfilm #ZEE5 #AparshaktiKhurana #RahulBose #ishwaqsingh #moviereview #filmreview.