KeerthiP-65

Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders on Netflix begins like a routine small-town murder mystery, but it soon transforms into something far more unsettling. What initially appears to be a family crime rooted in personal dysfunction gradually reveals a deeper story of complicity and systemic corruption. While the family drama itself is engaging, it's the larger social undercurrent that truly elevates the film.

This is easily one of the finest murder mysteries in recent times. It's refreshing to see Nawazuddin Siddiqui at his finest again, especially after seeing him mostly in commercial roles lately. His performance is restrained, layered, and completely absorbing. There's curiosity and suspense in almost every scene, keeping you constantly engaged. The direction is spot-on and subtly pushes a strong social message without ever feeling forced.

The casting is very apt. Chitrangada Singh adds real value to the narrative with her presence and performance. Radhika Apte, however, has a very limited role and doesn't contribute much to the story. It almost feels like her casting was more of a callback to her popularity from the earlier version rather than a necessity for the plot.

Overall, Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders is a gripping, intelligently written thriller that goes beyond the conventions of the genre and leaves a lasting impact.

The Pre-Wedding Show doesn't really have a strong story, but it makes up for it with interesting characters placed in a fun setup and a decent central conflict. It's meant to be a comedy, and to be fair, it works most of the time. If you don't go in with high expectations, it turns out to be a pretty fun and light watch.

The screenplay isn't particularly gripping, but it never becomes dull either. There are a few well-written moments that land nicely, though the climax feels rushed and not fully wrapped up. The direction is solid and stays true to the film's tone throughout.

Overall, it's a simple, funny, rural, light-hearted movie that works well as a casual OTT watch.