Kahaani has opened in cinemas this weekend to favorable reviews almost across the board. It’s been a while since we’ve had a fast-paced thriller in Bollywood, and critics have given it a strong thumbs up:
- Rajeev Masand for IBN Live
- Taut and refreshingly original, the script of ‘Kahaani’ keeps you on your toes with its tendency to throw surprises and twists at every turn. ‘Kahaani’ feels longer than its 115 minutes running time, partly because there is no escape from its gritty tone. Yet the suspense remains consistently tight, and the story well-executed. A word also for the haunting background score that only adds to the mood of the film. I’m going with three-and-a-half out of five for director Sujoy Ghosh’s ‘Kahaani’. The film delivers on its promise, and keeps you guessing until the end. It’s a delicious thriller – don’t miss it.
- Aniruddha Guha for DNA
- When was the last time you saw a Hindi film that had you gripping the popcorn tub tighter than usual, hair standing on end, and mind blown in the end? Much after you watch Kahaani, the film will continue to occupy your mind, as you marvel over how efficiently the story panned out — the kind of film that is enjoyable to re-watch even after you know how it ends. It shows that when everything falls in place for a film — story, writing, acting, editing, cinematography, etc — things can’t go wrong. Kahaani is one such film; everything’s right about it. But it still needs a director — in this case, Ghosh — to make sure every last building block falls in place. And he makes sure it does. Watch Kahaani. Period.
- Khalid Mohamedfor the Deccan Chronicle
- Designed as a suspense-laced thriller, the result’s engrossing because of Ghosh’s accompished direction, excellent cinematography by Setu, and needless to add, yet another excellent performance by Ms Balan whose calling card has become subtlety and a psychological acuity in understanding the characters she enacts.
Bombay Wire 