The highly-anticipated Alia Bhatt’s film Darlings is now streaming on Netflix. Directed by Jasmeet K Reen, the film also features Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma in titular roles.
Darlings also mark the first film of Alia Bhatt as a producer and the second collaboration of Vijay and Alia after Gully Boy. Prior to its release, the film got brutally for promoting domestic violence against men and a section of social media users called for boycotting the film.
The plot of the dark comedy revolves around Badru, played by Alia Bhatt, who is a strong-minded woman and her mother, played by Shefali Shah, kidnaps Hamza who is Badru’s husband, played by Vijay Varma.
Two women take help from Zulfi, played by Roshan Mathew, to find Hamza. The film then takes you through abuse in marriage and how a couple deals with it.
The film is out so are the reviews. Let’s take a look at what leading news websites have to say about the film.
Read Also: Defamation case: Gaurav Taneja requests his followers to refrain from using unsavory language against accused journalist
Darlings review by NDTV
For Saibal Chatterjee, Darlings is a tale of marital discord that assumes the form of a revenge drama. Darlings secured 3 out of 5 stars by NDTV.
“Darlings is embellished with fine performances. Alia Bhatt reveals yet again the full range of her natural ability to get into the skin of a character. Shefali Shah, cast as a woman who has stopped worrying about the world and the impositions it makes on women, serves as the perfect foil,” reviewed NDTV.
Darlings review by Koimoi
Umesh Punwani, in his review, said the film is synonymous with tragedy mein comedy treatment and a plethora of mind-numbing performances.
“Darlings is Bollywood getting as close as it could ever be (to date) to Andhadhun. The ‘tragedy mein comedy’ treatment gives this a soul as Alia Bhatt ends up being the heart of this film,” reviewed Koimoi.
Darlings review by The Indian Express
Reviewed by Shubhra Gupta, Darlings is the film that brings domestic violence to the fore and is done absolutely right. The headline read, ‘Alia Bhatt raises the bar for movies with meaning.’
“With her maiden production, dotted with a clutch of excellent performances, Alia Bhatt has raised the bar for movies with meaning, something a lost-in-the-woods Bollywood can do with,” reviewed The Indian Express.
Darlings review by Bollywoodlife
For Urmimala Banerjee, Darlings is a quirky take on the tale of a woman who is the victim of domestic violence.
“The climax of the film is rather predictable, but that is expected. Coming to the hullabaloo that such films create further prejudices against men when gender laws are already flawed, well Darlings is centred around women, but on an emotional level it does have some appeal for both the sexes,” reviewed Bollywoodlife.
Darlings review by Times of India
Renuka Vyavahare, in her review, said Darlings is a compelling case study on domestic violence impeccably performed by Alia Bhatt and Shefali Shah.
“Darlings isn’t quite a dark comedy or a twisted suspenseful thriller. Told in a linear, simplistic fashion, the film is about an abuser exploiting his partner over a man versus woman battle,” reviewed Times of India.
Darlings review by Firstpost
Reviewed by Anna MM Vetticad, Darlings is a flattering black on marital violence that tips Alia Bhatt off balance.
“When a film deals with a matter as serious as domestic abuse, the least one expects is that the writers would round off every argument made during the course of the narrative, so as to avoid perpetuating misconceptions. Darlings does not,” reviewed Firstpost.
Darlings review by News 18
Bohni Bandyopadhyay wrote that Darlings might trigger a lot of independent women who wouldn’t put up with abusive behaviour even for a day.
“Despite being a black comedy, the film has no elaborate or hilarious comic scene and mostly remains an emotional affair. The production design and attention to detail are commendable, as is the pace of editing. Director Jasmeet K Reen has done a good job of telling the story without going into too many complications, while also maintaining a sense of dread all through the narrative,” reviewed News 18.
Covid-19: Delhi reports 2,202 cases, highest in six months; India logs over 20k cases
Congress plans to gherao PM residence, Delhi Police denies permission