logo
Diljit Dosanjh's 'Detective Sherdil' movie review: Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Banita Sandhu walk away with top honours in a semi-engaging murder mystery

Diljit Dosanjh's 'Detective Sherdil' movie review: Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Banita Sandhu walk away with top honours in a semi-engaging murder mystery

First Post19-06-2025
Unlike 'Housefull 5 (A and B)' and '36 China Town', the final twist doesn't feel frivolous. It not only compliments the essence of the story but also exposes the fragility of dysfunctional relationships read more
Cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Diana Penty, Boman Irani, Chunky Panday, Banita Sandhu, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Vyas
Director: Ravi Chhabriya
Language: Hindi
Even before we meet the man who plays Detective Sherdil, in this year's 786th whodunit, a word I shall be using 786 times more before the year ends, we are told how this man played by Diljit Dosanjh was named Sherdil. It's understandable the makers want to combine crime and comedy and dumb the story down. The thought of the memories of Dosanjh's Arjun Patiala coming back send a shiver down your spine. But to give credit, at least the aesthetics are in place as we are right away taken to Budapest where a billionaire Boman Irani is murdered on an empty street. What it also gets right is a solid introductory shot of Ratna Pathak Shah, who plays Irani's wife. If Maya Sarabhai from Sarabhai vs Sarabhai had more attitude and authority, it could be this character. 'A true boss lady' is how Diana Penty describes her.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Some cringe and coincidental moments follow soon as Banita Sandhu of October fame shows up as a deaf and mute daughter of the couple who's called, errr Shanti. There's the severely underinvested Mukesh Bhat (the inimitable actor of Rocket Singh and Gulaal), the driver who's absconding since his master was brutally assassinated (Prem Ratan Dhan Payo anyone?). When all the crucial pieces of the puzzle are laid together, the eponymous character declares in his twang 'This is a classic…. Whodunit.' Okay then! But this very character never allows the film to be edge-of-the-seat as he keeps playing his harmonica and its perpetual tune hams its way to the background score that swells to a crescendo on multiple occasions. Let there be silence for some time dude.
If this blend of two contrasting genres is unable to keep the curiosity alive despite some spurts of engagement, Chunky Panday's typically filmy entry does perk up the proceedings from A to B. Had he smiled a little more, he could very well be the spiritual version of Aakhri Pasta called Aakhri Aastha as he did in Housefull 3.
Bollywood doesn't do comical thrillers well as it gets too confused which box to tick first- To add murder mystery in a comedy or comedy in a murder mystery. That's why the jokes and the jolts both feel ill-timed and misplaced. And that pretentious The End deceit that ruined Neeraj Pandey's forgettable Sikandar Ka Muqaddar last year returns here too.
But the ensemble is too contagious- Diljit Dosanjh, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Vyas, Banita Sandhu, and Diana Penty. The outfits that Irani flaunts are absolutely striking. He looks dapper and the effective baritone adds to his intimidating personality that's all worn out and vulnerable inside. Penty brings a certain sense of gravitas to her performance with her no-nonsense attitude. She has been immensely selective about her choices of films after the impressive debut in Cocktail back in 2012. But that also shows how her repertoire is a cocktail of different genres, ranging from comedy to drama to now a whodunnit.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Sandhu added immense gravitas to her vegetative state in the meditative and heartfelt October. Here too, she's handicapped by a disability but makes terrific use of it. And the refined Shah is always a delight to watch. She has a remarkably impressive command over her body language. And once again after Kapoor & Sons, she's trapped in a crumbling marriage that ends with a surprising death.
The story is written by Ali Abbas Zafar along with Sagar Bajaj and Ravi Chhabriya who also directs the film. Post Sultan, Zafar has largely been out of depth except for Jogi, also starring Diljit Dosanjh. It's understandable the two wanted to have fun after an exhausting and emotionally charged collaboration, but the bullet misses the plate. That's not to say it's a washout. Not at all. Whodunnits always turn out to be guilty pleasures.
And unlike Housefull 5 (A and B) and 36 China Town, the final twist doesn't feel frivolous. It not only compliments the essence of the story but also exposes the fragility of dysfunctional relationships and dying emotional dynamics. It also makes up for the lost time of an ensemble of solid actors that needs to be seen more often in movies that judiciously explore its tenacity and talent. But without the harmonica next time please!
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)
Detective Sherdil is now streaming on Zee5
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Udaipur Files Producer Amit Jani Granted Y-Category Security Amid Alleged Threats
Udaipur Files Producer Amit Jani Granted Y-Category Security Amid Alleged Threats

India.com

time2 hours ago

  • India.com

Udaipur Files Producer Amit Jani Granted Y-Category Security Amid Alleged Threats

New Delhi: Producer Amit Jani reportedly claimed that he had been receiving death threats on social media in connection with the upcoming release of Udaipur Files. Union Home Ministry Approves Y-Category Security In a new development, the Ministry of Home Affairs has extended Y-category security to Amit Jani. This comes amid mounting tensions and concerns over the film's impact and the threats reportedly received by its creators. The protection will be provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and will apply across Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Producer Expresses Gratitude Taking to social media, Jani thanked the country's top leadership for ensuring his protection. In a tweet written in Hindi, he said: "केंद्र की Y श्रेणी सुरक्षा देने के लिए माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी और गृह मंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी का हार्दिक धन्यवाद" (Translation: "Heartfelt thanks to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji for granting Y-category security.") केंद्र की Y श्रेणी सुरक्षा देने के लिए माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी और गृह मंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी का हार्दिक धन्यवाद@narendramodi @AmitShah @HMOIndia @PMOIndia — Amit Jani (@AmitJaniIND) July 27, 2025 Court Puts a Hold on Film's Release Originally slated for a July 11 release, the Delhi High Court on July 10 issued a stay order on the film, pending a decision by the Centre on multiple petitions. These petitions sought a permanent ban, citing the film's potential to 'promote disharmony' in society. Centre Recommends Edits According to an ANI report, a committee constituted by the central government, on directions from the Delhi High Court, has proposed six major modifications to the film. These include: Revised disclaimer: The original disclaimer is to be replaced with a new, government-approved version. Credit edits: Frames expressing gratitude to certain individuals must be removed. AI-generated execution scene: A scene resembling a Saudi-style execution created using AI must be altered. A scene resembling a Saudi-style execution created using AI must be altered. Name change for character 'Nutan Sharma': All references to this character must be replaced. All references to this character must be replaced. Dialogue deletion: The line attributed to Nutan Sharma, 'Mainetoh wohi kaha hai jo unke dharma grantho mein likha hai', must be removed. The line attributed to Nutan Sharma, 'Mainetoh wohi kaha hai jo unke dharma grantho mein likha hai', must be removed. Baloch community references: Dialogues concerning the Baloch community are to be eliminated. Earlier, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had mandated around 150 cuts in the film. Following these revisions, Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder was cleared for theatrical release on August 8, 2025. Starring Vijay Raaz in the lead role, the film was originally scheduled for release on July 11, 2025. However, it encountered multiple delays due to censorship issues and ongoing legal challenges. FAQs Q1. Why did Amit Jani receive Y-category security? Amit Jani was granted Y-category security after claiming he received threats over the film Udaipur Files. Q2. Why was the release of Udaipur Files delayed? The Delhi High Court stayed the release, citing concerns over the film's potential to promote social disharmony. Q3. How many cuts did CBFC demand in the film? The CBFC had ordered approximately 150 cuts before approving the film, as reported by IANS. Q4. When is Udaipur Files now scheduled to release? The film is slated for release on August 8, 2025.

‘Su From So': How an unheralded Kannada film broke marketing norms to set box office records
‘Su From So': How an unheralded Kannada film broke marketing norms to set box office records

The Hindu

time2 hours ago

  • The Hindu

‘Su From So': How an unheralded Kannada film broke marketing norms to set box office records

Three days ago, Su From So was an unheralded film. Today, it has shaken the Kannada film industry, reiterating the importance of quality content and prompting filmmakers to reassess their promotional strategies. Su From So, released during the cataclysmic run of Saiyaara, the Hindi love story that has revived the romance genre in Bollywood. The entertaining F1, which had crossed the ₹100 crore-mark in India, was still a hot property in Bengaluru. And Telugu star Pawan Kalyan's much-awaited Hari Hara Veera Mallu was expected to score big. However, three days after its theatrical release, Su From So has conquered every hurdle in its path to break box office records. It's a surprise hit of 2025. 'Three days ago, Su From So was an unknown project. Today, you have made it one of the most exciting films of the year,' Raj B Shetty, who co-produced the movie, wrote on social media. The numbers associated with Su From So are mind-boggling. The film created history when one lakh twenty-seven thousand tickets got sold on the ticketing app BookMyShow on Saturday (July 26, 2025). No Kannada film has enjoyed this amount of ticket sales in a single day on the online platform. On Sunday, Su From So enjoyed more than 550 housefull shows across India, a terrific number considering the prolonged lull in the Kannada film industry in 2025. Raj, apart from co-producing the movie, plays a prominent character in Su From So, but his role was kept a secret. The director of acclaimed films like Ondu Motteya Kathe and Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana could have been the face of the film, but chose not to hog the limelight of a movie filled with fresh faces in Kannada. One video message from Raj proved to be game-changing. 'We know that you are tired of pre-release interviews and reactions from celebrity shows. We aren't doing them for our movie. We want you all to be our honest promoters. Watch our film and spread the word,' the actor-director had urged, as he announced paid-premiere shows in Shivamogga, Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Bengaluru. Bharath Sudhama, co-founder of film marketing company The Big Little, feels Raj pulled off a coup with his statement. 'Saying you won't promote a film is itself a promotion. It means that you are telling the audience you are completely confident about your content. People walk into the theatres wanting to like the movie because of the bold step from the makers,' he analyses. 'It's like Upendra saying his film is only for the intelligent ones (bhuddivantharige maatra). Everybody would want to be known as intelligent to watch his movies.' After avoiding the customary YouTube appearances, Su From So banked on their content to do the talking. The hilarious trailer and the peppy dance number, called 'Dank Anthem', had given the movie some advantage. Post its release, the outstanding word of mouth has bolstered ticket sales. 'We are getting requests for more shows,' Raj told reporters. On Sunday, 72 early-morning shows (EMS, before 9:00 am) were added in Bengaluru theatres, an unprecedented development. Bharath says the industry must be cautious and not see this low-key promotion strategy as a formula. 'Minimal promotions might not work for another movie because it may not garner exceptional word-of-mouth in the initial phase. You can't criticise a team that opts for vibrant promotional methods just because one movie tasted success without promotional activities. Every film team has to find a unique option to suit its content,' explains Bharath. Just like Kirik Party (2016), Kantara (2022), and 777 Charlie (2022), it's a team from the coastal Karnataka region that has resurrected a struggling industry with a refreshing subject aimed at entertaining the family audience. Su From So, directed by popular Tulu theatre artiste and film actor JP Thuminad, is a rip-roaring horror comedy set in a village in Dakshina Kannada. Marked by excellent performances, the film makes for a great community viewing, as it weaves an important message with a rooted presentation, maintaining the flavour of the backdrop. ALSO READ: 'Ekka' movie review: Yuva Rajkumar gives his all to a script that doesn't reward his effort 'The film reminded me of my Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale Kasaragodu (2018),' said Rishab Shetty on X, referring to his third directorial, which was also a fine amalgamation of message and entertainment. Su From So, following a stupendous start, is set to go places. Dulquer Salman's Wayfarer Films will distribute the Malayalam dubbed version of the movie in Kerala from August 01, 2025. Anil Thadani's AA Films has bagged the North India distribution rights for the movie. Phars Film Co. LLC is in talks to release the movie overseas.

Big-budget clash with south films to test Bollywood mettle
Big-budget clash with south films to test Bollywood mettle

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Big-budget clash with south films to test Bollywood mettle

Bollywood's theatrical revival faces a crucial test in the latter half of 2025 as big-budget Hindi films clash with highly anticipated southern releases. With films like 'War 2' and 'Coolie' vying for audience attention, the box office battle could significantly impact revenue, potentially costing each film ₹20-40 crore in North India alone. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mumbai: A clash for box office share between big-budget Hindi and southern films in the next few months will put the theatrical revival of Bollywood to the test, say producers and trade big southern films-Coolie (Tamil), Kantara: Chapter 1 (Kannada) and The Raja Saab (Telugu)-are scheduled for release in the second half of 2025. Their release dates clash directly with Bollywood movies War 2, Ikkis, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and each of these films having an estimated budget of ₹150-400 crore, the stakes are second half of 2025 began on a promising note for Bollywood with the unexpected success of the mid-budget Saiyaara, which has raked in ₹175 crore in box-office collections since its July 18 release. But the market dynamics will be different for the upcoming releases. This is the first time since the pandemic when the release dates of big southern films are clashing with Hindi films of similar scale."Post-pandemic, the lines between regional and Hindi films have blurred," said producer and film business expert Girish Johar. "Today, audiences want the best content. So, if there is a formidable southern film aimed at a pan-India audience ... it does impact the box office potential of the competing Hindi film."Bollywood producers often avoid clashes with southern films, as loyal audiences of southern films shun Hindi movies to watch their favourite stars on screen. A blockbuster pan-India film form the south could reduce the box office potential of a competing Hindi film by 10-20%, according to trade experts."When tentpole films clash, the impact at the box office is far deeper than just opening-day collections," said Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder and director of Karmic Films. "Screens are shared. Show timings are compromised. In north India alone, a high-stakes clash can mean a ₹20-40 crore loss in revenues for each film."Revenue from digital, satellite and overseas rights will also take a hit, say distributors. They suggest a solo release of a big-budget Hindi or southern film as a practical solution."A well-timed solo release can improve legs at the box office, optimise holdover weeks and elevate a film from a ₹300 crore hit to a ₹500 crore blockbuster," said Wadhwa of Karmic Films."Clashes are always bad for business," said Rajesh R Nair, the producer of Hindi films such as Kaminey and Adipurush. Southern films are tracking well, especially Kantara: Chapter 1, one of the most awaited sequels, he said. He also expects strong competition to the upcoming Bollywood movies from Rajinikanth's Coolie and the Prabhas-starrer horror-comedy: The Raja trade analysts believe that the timing of these releases may work in their favour, as these will be released on public holidays when footfalls are usually high in theatres."Also, the genres of these competing films are different. These films will be accommodated," said Girish Wankhede, a movie trade analyst. But in the long run, he said "only the content of these films will work".While the success of Saiyaara was encouraging, theatres also recorded noteworthy contributions from Hollywood films such as Superman, Jurassic World: Rebirth and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Apart from Indian films, Hollywood movies such as Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash are also scheduled for release in the second half of to media and entertainment research firm Ormax Media, the second half of 2025 is likely to contribute 52% to the all-India box office revenue of ₹13,500 crore estimated for 2025.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store