&w=3840&q=100)
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
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
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NDTV
29 minutes ago
- NDTV
War 2 Trailer: Hrithik Roshan And Jr NTR Lock Horns In The Name Of "India First". Bonus
The much-awaited trailer of War 2 released on Friday (July 25). Add some philosophical musings over self, identity, war, and service to a spectacular show of Hrithik vs Jr NTR in the stunning backdrop of foreign locations, and the trailer of War 2 will show how it's different from the Yash Raj Films' formula of a spy film. Breaking Down The Trailer Unlike Yash Raj Films' other spy movies, the trailer of War 2 opens on a contemplative note, where the two nameless warriors, played by, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, introduce themselves through their starkly different ideas of a warrior. The only thread of commonality is they are fighting the war in the name of "India first." Hrithik Roshan AKA Kabir says he wants to become a shadow, dissolving his familial ties, love and identity. Jr NTR takes an oath that he will fight a battle that no one has ever fought. He will become a weapon of destruction. Either he will get destroyed or he will kill - there's no second way about it for Jr NTR. "Death before dishonour," says Hrithik Roshan. To this, Jr NTR replies, "Service before self." Kiara Advani enters the scene with some scene-stealing action stunts along with some romantic scenes with Hrithik Roshan. The stage is set. Kabir said at the end of War (2019), "The war is still on." As the battle intensifies, Colonel Sunil Luthra (played by Ashutosh Rana) reminds Kabir that they (he and Jr NTR) are warriors. But will the hero fall to save a warrior? The trailer ends with the famous saying about Karma from the Bhagavad Gita. Background The teaser of the film released in May. Sharing the teaser, Jr NTR wrote, "Double the fire. Double the fury. Pick your side. #War2Teaser out NOW. #War2 only in theatres from 14th August. Releasing in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. #YRFSpyUniverse." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yash Raj Films (@yrf) Hrihik Roshan shared an adorable post from the last day of the shoot on Instagram. An excerpt from his long note read, "Felt a mixed bag of emotions as the cameras stopped rolling for #War2. 149 days of relentless chase, action, dance, blood, sweat, injuries... and it was all WORTH IT!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan) The film will release in theatres on the eve of Independence Day, August 14. This is the first time Hrithik Roshan and JR NTR collaborated for a Hindi film. The film has been directed by Ayan Mukerji, mostly known for his romantic films.


Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Vishwambhara: Chiranjeevi and Mouni Roy team up for a special dance number in final schedule of film
Vishwambhara is Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi's most-awaited film that has been in the making for the last two years. Earlier slated to release during the Sankranthi season of 2025, the film was postponed due to poor VFX. A teaser was unveiled on the occasion of Chiranjeevi's birthday, but sadly, the promo was trolled for its tacky VFX, following which, the megastar asked the makers to redo those portions entirely. Vishwambhara to be wrapped up with special number featuring Chiranjeevi and Mouni Roy Meanwhile, the last leg of the film's shoot has kick-started in Hyderabad, with a special song featuring Hindi actress Mouni Roy being canned at a specially-erected set. This song will also feature Chiranjeevi in a proper dance number after a very long time. As the film has been delayed, Vishwambhara has lost some of its buzz, and to make things interesting, the makers have added this special number. Vassistha, of Bimbisara fame, is directing this film, and it is only his second movie in his career. Trisha Krishnan is playing the female lead in this film, and this is also the second time she is teaming up with Chiranjeevi after Stalin. MM Keeravani, the Oscar award winner, is composing music for this film, which is a fantasy drama being made on a massive budget. Vishwambhara aiming at a Dussehra 2025 release With the completion of this special song, the shoot will be wrapped up. The news in film circles is that the makers are planning a Dussehra release in October 2025. Vishwambhara is high on fantasy and is expected to be on the lines of Chiranjeevi's iconic hit, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, featuring Sridevi as the female lead. On the other hand, Chiranjeevi has also started shooting for yet another film of his that is being directed by Anil Ravipudi, who is high on the success of Sankranthiki Vasthunnam. The yet-untitled film has Nayanthara as the female lead. But all eyes are on Vishwambhara as it has finally reached completion, and the release date will be announced soon.


Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ed Sheeran teams up with Arijit Singh for magical Hindi-Punjabi version of "Sapphire"
Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh have released a special version of "Sapphire". The Grammy winner said that he loves this version of the song and it's the one he listens to every morning with his daughters because he loves the Bollywood singer's voice. Sheeran said: "One of my fav experiences ever in my career was going to Jiaganj Azimganj with my dad to go and see Arijit for the final jigsaw piece of Sapphire." The "Perfect" singer said it was a "24 hour trip, and it felt like a pilgrimage of music. After a five-and-a-half-hour drive after we landed, we arrived, and Arijit took us on a boat to see the sights. We talked, ate, and drank coffee." "Then, once we were in the studio, he taught me how to sing in Punjabi, and a bit of Sitar. We then went on a late night scooty ride, with me on the back of Arijit's bike and my dad on the back of his securities'. We listened to A Prayer By The River and talked about music." "It was honestly one of the most amazing days in my musical career and it was the ending of a beautiful journey of this song but the beginning of something bigger. Heaping praise on Arijit, Sheeran said: "I love this version of the song; it's the one I listen to every morning with my daughters because I love Arijits voice, tone, flow and rhythm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo I hope you feel the same way I do about it. Thank you, Arijit, for your time, grace and talent." The special version adds another dimension to Ed's vibrant summer track. Recorded in Goa, Ed and Arijit worked on both the original version, which was released last month and remix version during their original studio sessions. With the new release seeing Arijit sing a verse in a mix of Hindi and Punjabi and a chorus in English, and Sheeran sing a chorus in a mix of Hindi and Punjabi. The result is a blissful cross-cultural fusion of languages and cultures, adorning the song's celebration of love. Both versions of the track - featuring intricate South-Asian percussion - have been produced by llya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid, and Savan Kotecha. Ed Sheeran will release his new album 'Play' on 12th September 2025.