Exploring Lord Curzon Ki Haveli: A Promising Film That Falls Flat

Overview of Lord Curzon Ki Haveli

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli, helmed by Anshuman Jha, struggles to present an engaging murder mystery, lacking depth in both character development and overall execution.

Movie Details

Director: Anshuman Jha
Cast: Rasika Dugal, Arjun Mathur, Zoha Rahman, Paresh Pahuja, Tanmay Dhanania

Rating: ★★

Initial Impressions

From the very start, Lord Curzon Ki Haveli made me question its purpose. The opening credits thank Beethoven, yet what follows feels disjointed. Murder mysteries are challenging to execute, especially in a time when audiences are bombarded with global content.

Plot Synopsis

The story centers on Rohit (Arjun Mathur) and Sanya (Zoha Rahman) who invite Sanya’s friend Ira (Rasika Dugal) and her husband Basuki Nath (Paresh Pahuja) for drinks. As tensions rise, Basuki becomes fixated on a trunk, believing it contains hidden secrets, and the evening spirals into chaos.

Artistic Choices

Anshuman Jha, marking his directorial debut, positions this as a black comedy, but I found little humor. The scenes often feel staged more like a theater production, leaving characters underdeveloped and one-dimensional. Throughout the movie’s runtime, it flits between various genres but ultimately fails to deliver the suspense expected from a murder mystery.

Confusingly sudden character changes detract from the story’s believability. At one point, Basuki deals with his obsession in an implausible manner, detracting from what should be a layered narrative.

Evaluation of the Second Half

The film becomes increasingly fragmented in the second half. Most of the action is set in a single location, and the cinematography offers little to entice viewers. The music mainly features snippets of Beethoven’s work, which don’t enhance the viewing experience.

Acting Performances

While the cast is undeniably talented, the script doesn’t make the most of their abilities. Rasika Dugal gives a solid performance, yet her character fails to resonate. It seems the filmmakers relied on shock value, which only served to dilute the overall impact.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Lord Curzon Ki Haveli feels like a missed opportunity. Despite its premise, the film falters, becoming a hollow experience rather than a gripping thriller. A rich concept is undermined by lackluster execution, where true mystery often remains elusive, hinting that sometimes what’s absent from the narrative can be more telling than what’s present.

Have you seen the film, and what are your thoughts on its execution? Share your views below!