Saali Mohabbat, the feature directorial debut of actress Tisca Chopra, is a domestic thriller with a promising premise, anchored by a compelling performance from Radhika Apte, but ultimately suffers from a predictable plot and a faltering climax. The film earns a rating of ★★★ (3/5 stars).
The movie instantly recalls Chopra’s previous acclaimed short film, Chutney, suggesting a continuation of her interest in exploring the dark secrets hidden behind seemingly ordinary marriages.
Plot Summary
The story revolves around Smita (Radhika Apte), who narrates the breakdown of her marriage to Pankaj (Anshumaan Pushkar). Pankaj is revealed to be a wastrel, an alcoholic, and a gambler deep in debt to a local gangster, Gajendra Bhaiya (Anurag Kashyap).
Smita’s world crumbles when Pankaj cheats on her with her own cousin, Shalini (Sauraseni Maitra). The central mystery of the film begins when the adulterous couple is found dead. Corrupt cop Ratan (Divyenndu Sharma) is tasked with investigating the double murder, and the whodunit structure focuses on uncovering the killer.
Highlights and Criticisms
| Category | Assessment | Details |
| Performance | Strong | Radhika Apte delivers a good job as Smita, bringing a sense of helplessness, silent rage, and intensity to the character as she grapples with betrayal. Divyenndu is commendable as the sly and calculating cop, Ratan. |
| Direction/Theme | Promising Intent | Director Tisca Chopra (also co-writer) effectively employs the theme of “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” setting up an intriguing slow-burn domestic thriller that examines the breakdown of a deeply flawed marriage. |
| Writing/Tension | Faltering | The film loses steam as it progresses. There are no effective red herrings, making the big reveal predictable from afar. The lack of sustained tension and predictability become the film’s undoing. |
| Climax | Weak | The narrative is unable to maintain its focus and intensity, with the film ultimately “losing its way as it reaches the climax.” |
In conclusion, Saali Mohabbat is appreciated for its strong intentions and stellar performances, particularly from Apte. However, the film settles for the “obvious,” failing to deliver the wickedly layered and surprising mystery it promised.
Tags: Saali Mohabbat, Tisca Chopra, Radhika Apte, Divyenndu Sharma, Anurag Kashyap, Movie Review, Whodunit, Psychological Thriller