Single Salma movie review: Huma Qureshi-led film falters due to overwrought writing and uneven storytelling
Single Salma movie review: Huma Qureshi, Sunny Singh-starrer Single Salma explores themes of self-love, freedom of choice, and the courage to resist societal pressure to marry.
What’s not to love about a coming-of-age story centered on a 30-something woman from a conservative Muslim family in Lucknow who chooses self-love and decides to live life on her own terms? The makers of Single Salma, headlined by Huma Qureshi as the titular protagonist, certainly believe in the power of such a narrative. They enthusiastically pack in multiple ideas about feminism and individuality, questioning society’s obsession with marriage.
It’s commendable that the film places an unconventional woman (by Indian standards) at the heart of the story. As it follows her journey, Single Salma explores themes of self-love, freedom of choice, and the courage to resist societal pressure to marry. These are worthy ideas. The film, however, falters in its execution. The storytelling often turns didactic and middling, undermining its good intentions. Despite the earnest efforts of Team Single Salma, the result is underwhelming.
Hindi cinema has explored similar themes before. The 33-year-old Salma is a bright engineer working in Lucknow’s urban development department. She shoulders the entire family’s responsibilities — marrying off her younger sisters, meeting her younger brother’s demands, and repaying a loan her father took by mortgaging their old haveli. Except for her mother, no one seems particularly grateful or concerned about her happiness.
Single Salma movie trailer here:
When Salma meets Sikandar (Shreyas Talpade), a 40-year-old businessman eager to impress her, it seems she may finally have found a partner. But before they can tie the knot, she leaves for London for a two-month training programme. There, she meets Meet (Sunny Singh), who heads their training programme.
The London experience proves transformative for Salma and her colleagues — though some of their ‘overnight changes’ feel contrived and meant to serve the plot. The exposure broadens Salma’s worldview and helps her recognise her own needs and desires. She finds herself drawn to Meet, even as Sikandar waits devotedly for her back home. This awakening of selfhood and desire adds to the film’s feminist tone, but the drawn-out sequences and unnecessary melodrama make the narrative tedious.
Huma is convincing as Salma, but her performance could have used more nuance. Sunny lacks spark, and Shreyas’s look, with hennaed hair and moustache, makes his character caricaturish in spite of his good comic timing.
Single Salma could have built on the legacy of Queen (2014), which celebrated self-discovery in an engaging manner. While the settings and characters differ, Single Salma had the potential to take that conversation forward. Unfortunately, overwrought writing and uneven storytelling prevent it from finding its own confident voice.
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Single Salma movie director: Nachiket Samant Single Salma movie cast: Huma Qureshi, Sunny Singh, Shreyas Talpade, Kanwaljit Singh, Asif Khan and Navni Parihar Single Salma movie rating: Two 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
