'Neeyat' Movie Review: A Mediocre Murder Mystery

Plot

'Neeyat' is a murder mystery set in a secluded Scottish castle. The story revolves around Ashish Kapoor, a businessman who flees India after being exposed for financial misappropriation. On his birthday, he invites his close friends and family to the castle, but everyone's intentions are not pure. After a supposed murder, CBI Officer Mira Rao takes on the task of investigating the crime. As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed and suspects emerge. However, the execution of the plot lacks finesse and falls into cliché tropes of the murder mystery genre.

Acting

Despite a star-studded cast including Vidya Balan, Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, and more, the performances in 'Neeyat' are disappointing. The actors come across as caricatures, and even the serious scenes become laughable. Vidya Balan delivers a decent performance as the brainiac CBI officer, but it is not her best work. Ram Kapoor stands out with his finessed portrayal of the infamous businessman. Shashank Arora also shines as the troubled son. Overall, the performances fail to leave a lasting impression.

Cinematography

The visuals in 'Neeyat' do not leave a significant impact. There are hardly any standout scenes that you will remember. The setting of the Scottish castle is beautiful, but the cinematography fails to capture its true essence. However, some spooky scenes add to the overall ambiance of the film.

Direction

Anu Menon, known for her work on 'Four More Shots' and 'Shakuntala Devi,' co-writes and directs 'Neeyat.' While the film offers a decent storyline and a non-linear format that engages the audience in a guessing game, it falls short in execution. The plot gets thinner as the mystery unravels, and the pace dips at times. The direction lacks the tight screenplay, suspense, and surprise elements that a thriller requires.

Verdict

'Neeyat' is an entertaining film as long as you are able to overlook the mediocre performances. Despite its flaws, it still offers a decent story with a shocking twist, reminiscent of films like 'Kahaani.' The setting and atmosphere add to the overall appeal of the movie. However, it falls short of being a standout murder mystery. If you are a fan of the genre, you might find some enjoyment in watching 'Neeyat,' but it is not a must-see.

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