Berlin

Berlin is a welcome departure from the typical, over-the-top Bollywood spy thriller.

This is an unexpectedly engaging film, a slow-burn espionage drama that trades high-octane action for a claustrophobic, cerebral battle of wits.

The film's greatest strength lies in its performances, particularly Ishwak Singh, who delivers a truly captivating, career-defining performance as a deaf-mute suspect. His silent portrayal is so expressive, it makes the dialogue-heavy scenes between him and Aparshakti Khurana, who is equally impressive, genuinely riveting.

While the film's unique premise and stellar acting are its selling points, it isn't without its flaws. The pacing is a bit uneven, with the narrative sometimes meandering into an information overload that can make it difficult to follow.

Despite these stumbles, the film's unique artistic direction and commitment to its atmospheric, subtle storytelling make it a worthwhile watch for those who appreciate a spy story with more psychological depth.

The story is weak, there are loose ends all over the story. Most of the time it is confusing on what is happening in the movie.

Aparshakti Khurana is a good actor and has performed well. The Ashok character could have done better. Good to see Rahul Bose after a long time. Anupriya Goenka had a very small part to play and with her acting skills, I wished she had more part and dialogues.

The story could have been great and the thrill is next to none. The entire plot of the story revolves around the assassination of the Russian President but it hardly has any action. Even the interrogation scenes lack structure.

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.

"Berlin" is a special film in Bollywood's context. Rarely are films made this perfectly. An edge-of-the-seat spy thriller, it stands out because it isn't the typical action-packed spectacle. Instead, it offers a more grounded and realistic portrayal of espionage, where the tension comes from intense interrogations rather than over-the-top stunts. "Berlin" beautifully captures that gritty, psychological battle that plays out in the world of spies.

The casting is flawless. Aparshakti Khurana delivers a career-defining performance, showcasing his versatility like never before. Rahul Bose, a seasoned actor, brings gravitas to his role, while Ishwak Singh and Kabir Bedi add depth and complexity to the narrative. Anupriya Goenka's presence, though understated, is powerful and impactful.

Beyond the performances, the film's production design is impeccable. Every set, every location feels meticulously crafted, immersing the audience in a world of shadows, secrets, and suspense. The script, too, is tight and engaging, with dialogues that reveal just enough to keep you hooked without giving away too much.

In a time when Bollywood is often criticized for formulaic storytelling, "Berlin" is a breath of fresh air. It's smart, intense, and beautifully crafted-a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

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.