Ahmad-Imran

The impressive directorial debut of Lado Kvataniya. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion and regularly jumps between the two timelines (initially ten years apart but gets narrower as we move forward). The frequent switch between the two timelines is used (as a plot device) to move the story forward, generate suspense, and maintain the tension and thrill throughout. A clever plot device that could have been a disaster in the hands of a less capable director, but here, supported by a strong screenplay and intelligent editing, it worked really well.

Costumes and makeup, especially for aging the characters, are carefully done and worth mentioning. Also, the scenes are lit beautifully.

Influences of some of the popular and acclaimed movies in the suspense/thriller genre can be seen, and the director showed his appreciation by pointing (not so subtly) toward a few of them.

Soviets, Americans, Information & Broadcasting ministry .... too many conspiracies and conspiracy theories, add a weak and convoluted script into the mix, and the result is a good-looking concoction of confusion. Is it a period piece about cinema or a love story or thriller? What is it? Madan Kumar, BC!!!!

The set design and art direction are good and give a feel of the era. The costumes of male characters are also good, but the costumes of the female characters seemed too modern most of the time-same issue with the dialogue.

It started with a bang but nose-dived and crashed by the 8th episode, and the last two episodes test your patience. For a slight relief - Amit Trivedi's music is outstanding and sounds like the Bollywood music of the 1950s.

Similar to (definitely inspired by) "Straw Dogs" thematically and in terms of setup, but very Indian in its treatment. The nuanced writing and realistic approach not only underline the normalized toxic masculinity and deep-rooted misogynistic tendencies of our society, but also raise pertinent questions about the role, expectations, and responsibilities of male partners in modern relationships. However, in the third act, it suddenly becomes an over-the-top South Indian action film. Unfortunately, this abrupt tonal shift in the third act is jarring and detracts from an otherwise very good film, reducing it to just an average one.