Plot:

A psychopath targets film critics and kills them in gruesome ways. Detective Arvind Mathur (Sunny Deol) is called in to investigate the case and soon finds similarities between the killings. Meanwhile, a love story blossoms between a florist Danny (Dulquer Salmaan) and entertainment reporter Nila (Shreya Dhanwanthary).

Acting:

Dulquer Salmaan delivers a convincing performance as a complex character, while Shreya Dhanwanthary is endearing as a woman in love. Sunny Deol steals the show with his beautifully restrained performance. Saranya and Pooja Bhatt have limited screen time but make their presence felt.

Cinematography:

Vishal Sinha's camera work captures Mumbai's monsoon-soaked imagery with a refreshing new eye. The exquisite shot taking creates a mystical atmosphere that adds more chills to the killer's carefully crafted murders. Direction: R Balki's dedication to cinema shines through in many frames, executed with exquisite shot taking and a haunting background score recreated from yesteryear chartbusters. The love story, however, drags down the narrative in the second half, making it harder to care about the insipid romance.

Writing:

The screenplay tries its best to keep the love story related to the core plot of the bloody killings, but it falls short, and the narrative starts to drag. The dialogues have situational appeal, but they fail to pack a punch.

Verdict:

Chup is a highly watchable and layered thriller that examines the relationship between art and its critics. Its promising premise exceeds its potential, thanks to a skillfully executed screenplay and brilliant performances from the lead actors. Despite a few flaws, it's a refreshing and thought-provoking movie that will leave you with a lot to ponder.

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