Saali Mohabbat Movie Review: Radhika Apte in a Dark Thriller That Struggles to Surprise
Saali Mohabbat marks Tisca Chopra’s return, this time as a director, placing Radhika Apte at the center of a psychological thriller that aims to be unsettling but ends up feeling familiar. While the film attempts to explore betrayal, revenge, and suppressed rage, it never fully commits to either being a sharp whodunit or a layered psychological drama.
Film Details: Saali Mohabbat
Star Cast: Radhika Apte, Divyenndu, Anurag Kashyap
Director: Tisca Chopra
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes
Streaming On: ZEE5
What Works: Radhika Apte’s screen presence
What Doesn’t: The predictable premise
Watch or Skip: Depends on your patience for slow thrillers
Loo Break: Almost anytime
Saali Mohabbat Movie Review: Script Analysis
Saali Mohabbat is not a traditional murder mystery. In fact, the film reveals its core plot fairly early. Within the first half hour, the audience knows what has happened, how it happened, and why it happened. That early reveal takes away most of the suspense, leaving little room for intrigue later.
The story feels heavily inspired by Tisca Chopra’s own short film Chutney, where betrayal within a marriage leads to dark, unexpected consequences. Once again, we see a seemingly ordinary woman discovering her husband’s infidelity. Instead of confrontation, the narrative chooses silence, repression, and eventual violence.
The idea of using plants and gardening as metaphors and tools for revenge is genuinely interesting. However, the film does not explore this concept deeply enough. What could have been a psychologically rich thriller instead settles for a familiar and uneven narrative that feels stretched, especially in the second half.
Saali Mohabbat Movie Review: Performances
Radhika Apte shoulders almost the entire film, and her commitment is evident throughout. She tries to portray a woman who is emotionally vulnerable, morally conflicted, and quietly dangerous. While her performance has moments of intensity, the weak writing does not give her enough room to fully develop the character’s transformation.
Divyenndu and Anurag Kashyap appear in supporting roles, but their presence feels unnecessary. Both actors perform well, but the script does not justify their inclusion, making their characters feel more like add-ons than integral parts of the story.
Saali Mohabbat Movie Review: Direction, Music, and Technical Aspects
As a director, Tisca Chopra shows intent but struggles with execution. The film has a raw, unsettling tone, but it lacks narrative control. The pacing is inconsistent, with the second act dragging significantly. The final act attempts multiple twists, but instead of elevating the story, they dilute its impact.
The emotional depth needed to make the audience connect with the protagonist’s actions is missing. The music does little to enhance the tension and, in places, slows the film down further. For a thriller, the inclusion of songs feels unnecessary and disruptive.
Saali Mohabbat Movie Review: The Final Verdict
Saali Mohabbat sets out to explore dark emotions and moral ambiguity but gets tangled in its own ambitions. While it does not preach or moralize overtly, it also fails to clearly define what it wants to say. Radhika Apte remains the strongest element of the film, but even her performance cannot rescue a story that lacks focus and emotional clarity.
The film also raises uncomfortable questions about romanticizing violence in the name of love or revenge. Betrayal and rejection are painful realities, but portraying murder as empowerment blurs an important line. Saali Mohabbat might have worked better as a grounded crime drama rather than a confused psychological thriller.
Rating: ⭐ 1.5 / 5
FAQs: Saali Mohabbat Movie Review
Q1. Is Saali Mohabbat a murder mystery?
No, the film reveals key plot points early on. It is more of a psychological drama than a traditional whodunit.
Q2. Is Saali Mohabbat inspired by Chutney?
Yes, the premise closely resembles Tisca Chopra’s short film Chutney, especially in its themes of betrayal and silent revenge.
Q3. Is Saali Mohabbat worth watching on ZEE5?
If you enjoy slow-paced psychological thrillers and are a fan of Radhika Apte, you may give it a try. Otherwise, it can be skipped.
Q4. What is the biggest drawback of Saali Mohabbat?
The predictable story, weak pacing, and lack of emotional depth are the film’s biggest shortcomings.
Q5. What stands out in Saali Mohabbat?
Radhika Apte’s performance is the highlight, even though the script does not fully support her character.
