Apurva movie review: Tara Sutaria headlines a predictable tale of brutality and bravery
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Had the makers of Apurva not harboured the ambition of being gritty and realistic, this probably would have come close to being a ‘slasher’ movie. The Disney+ Hotstar movie aims to make a feminist statement as well as show the power of a brave, though vulnerable, woman when she encounters a bunch of ruthless men.
The film opens with a gang of four brutally attacking three men travelling in a car on a lonely highway stretch in Chambal and plundering the jewellery in their possession. As they set out for their next mission, they come across Apurva (Tara Sutaria) who is travelling in a bus to Agra to give her banker boyfriend a surprise on his birthday. Of course, it is easy to guess that her plan will go awry. She is kidnapped as she catches the fancy of a gang member Sukhi (Abhishek Banerjee), who is menacing. Most of the scenes that follow are meant to make the audience shudder.
The flashbacks about Apurva’s life and her engagement with Sid (Dhairya Karwa) are meant to help in building their characters and love story, apart from giving some breather to the viewers from the violence. There are some interesting moments featuring both, especially when Apurva and her parents visit Sid’s home to meet him before deciding on the arranged match. Though the two exude sweetness on screen, sparks don’t fly. That affects the emotional connection one could have established with them, especially the titular protagonist.
The cat-and-mouse chase between Apurva and her captors shifts to a deserted village with vacant houses. The setting adds to the atmosphere as Apurva tries to survive her nightmarish ordeal and escape. There are several gripping and tense moments with the threat of assault constantly looming large. But it does not help that the storyline is mostly predictable.
The four gangsters in the film are meant to be distinct in terms of their age, personality and background. But the script does not pay attention to details or work on developing these pitiless male characters who find pleasure in making a woman suffer and see her only as an object of their lust. The film does refer to countless incidents where men gleefully record incidents of sexual abuse on their phone cameras. Yet, it falls short of an impactful comment on social conditioning, misogynistic mindset or warped masculinity. That makes the characters played by Banerjee and Rajpal Yadav appear cardboard-like.
Tara Sutaria is expected to do the heavy-lifting and carry the film on her shoulders. She is good in certain action sequences that often involve sprinting around in a pink flowing chikankari kurta-pyjama or heavy breathing. But she fails to meet the demands of intense emotional scenes.
In terms of its subject and storytelling, the film comes close to NH10 which had Anushka Sharma’s character witnessing honour killings; struggling to save her husband and herself; and in the end taking revenge. Apurva, however, lacks the layers and nuances that NH10 (2015) has. As a result, it is shocking in parts but not thought-provoking.
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Apurva movie director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat Apurva movie cast: Tara Sutaria, Abhishek Banerjee, Dhairya Karwa, and Rajpal Yadav Apurva movie rating: 2 stars
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
