Raghavan takes one of the most worn-in genres in Bollywood and makes it fresh. Raghavan questions the nature of revenge, he questions whether the revenge justifies the crime, and whether our ideas of good and evil might need a rehaul. In an age when an eye for an eye is considered fair game, “Badlapur” makes us wonder if there is any point in keeping score.

If it weren’t for the performances of the two lead actors and the great story by Massimo Carlotto, Badlapur would’ve been average fare. But it’s not. This is one heck of a thriller. The climax, that one final dialogue, where Huma Qureshi’s character lays it down for Varun’s character changes the entire context of the movie. These are moments that you’d usually associate with noir classics from Hollywood. Badlapur might just be our first little step towards making films that matter.

Raw and gritty, this revenge drama is a must-watch cinematic fare…

The question of comparison to Ek Haseena Thi and Johnny Gaddaar is irrelevant. Badlapur is the kind of film we need more of, and also the kind of film that you need to see. It’s in theaters now, so if you want to see a change in the quality of Bollywood products, buy a ticket or two.

The tempo does pick up after the interval, but at the expense of logic and it isn’t enough to whip up our flagging interest in Raghu and Liak. Part of the problem is that there is no tension in Badlapur. Liak and Raghu circle each other from safe distances. There’s no threat to Liak’s life or to that of anyone he cares about. Raghu’s actions become increasingly illogical and his motivations become difficult to fathom. The last part is intentional, but it doesn’t help to hold the attention of an audience that cares less and less for Raghu.

Badlapur will be liked more by the classes and will score in the big cities, ultimately proving a safe bet. Its appeal for the womenfolk, families and the small centres is limited.

It is easy to mistake an unpleasant viewing experience for a bad one. Badlapur is as uncomfortable as it gets, but it’s also as good as it gets. Exemplary craft apart, this film also reiterates the importance of challenging convention-an art long abandoned for the haze of commerce.

When was the last time you saw a film with such meticulous attention to character detailing? The film might not land smoothly after this ambitious a jump but it is certainly an effort that deserves applause. Or as the believers say, Jai Sri Ram.

What you mainly take away from this movie is its core; a story (written by Sriram Raghavan) that tells us that most often the situation is the villain. And, perhaps, each of us is capable of turning a criminal when faced with an extreme situation.

Badlapur is a psychological roller coaster. It’s a brilliant cinema that would change the meaning revenge thrillers.

BADLAPUR is worth 80 percent of your ticket value- if you are the kind who enjoys watching twisted, psychologically testing entertainment. I would advise definitely give it a chance.