Critics' Review: Ankur Arora Murder doesn't make a Case

The Vikram Bhatt medical thriller boasts of a star-cast comprising Kay Kay Menon and Tisca Chopra who are known in the industry for powerful performances. Appreciative of the intent and concept of the film, critics are divided in their opinion about the execution and performances.

Vikram Bhatt 's Ankur Arora Muder Case has been released to an audience that is running high on the youthful comedy of Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. This and the fact that it steers clear of expected melodrama seems to have left critics a bit confused.

The Vikram Bhatt medical thriller boasts of a star-cast comprising Kay Kay Menon and Tisca Chopra who are known in the industry for powerful performances. Appreciative of the intent and concept of the film, critics are divided in their opinion about the execution and performances. Spoilers Alert.

Saibal Chatterjee writes for NDTV, "The film's lack of vitality stems from factors that are embedded in the comatose screenplay, which has neither much sting nor any imagination." He thinks the character sketches to be flat and unsurprising, "Not only does the doc's unseemly bravado ring utterly false, you also instantly know that this guy is going to be in serious trouble sooner than later."

As for the execution, he makes a special remark about the title, "For one, the title is a dead giveaway, as a result of which one large chunk of the film is completely predictable. The audience knows a death is on the way and that it is going to lead to a 'murder case'."

Saibal's opinion is backed by Tushar Joshi of DNA. He laments about the possibilities the film could explore but didn't. "Despite being a court room drama it lacks the finesse its genre requires. There was immense scope and possibility for the film to take off and become an engaging legal thriller, but the cliches and predictable subplots prevent the story from rising above the ordinary."

The critic also makes a pointed remark about what entertains the audience nowadays. "Indeed, this is a far cleverer, wiser and relevant film than most of what we get to see these days. At a time when Bollywood is raining bubbles and effervescence about 'jawaani deewanis' and 'yamla paglas', this sobering clenched disturbing medical thriller comes as an invigorating cloudburst."

Swati Deogire notes in in.com, "The court proceedings (peppered with Hindi film-ishtyle 'milord milord' rants) were enjoyable and made the second half interesting. A kahaani main twist also initially lends to the suspense element, but soon enough falls into the usual rut."

However, she is not too impressed with the execution either. "Jerky camera shots, an unnecessary love song and a forced love affair are some of this film's drawbacks. 'Ankur Arora Murder Case' would have been far better off without them."