TheReviewMonk is back — critic reviews for Indian cinema, aggregated. Read our story →

TheReviewMonk
Bank Chor backdrop

Bank Chor

16 June 2017Hindi2h 9m
out of 10
Unfavorablemost critics didn't like it
Monk Score · 19 scored reviews · 1 not rated

A heist-comedy too juvenile in script to pull off either genre convincingly.

Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: lead cast performances and banter
  • Criticised: weak juvenile script and genre inconsistency

Audience

User score 3.0 out of 10 from 1 rating, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 1 audience review ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 20 critics are saying

Bank Chor receives a largely negative critical reception, with most reviewers finding it an unsuccessful blend of comedy and thriller genres. A handful of critics acknowledge entertaining banter between the lead characters and some effective moments in the second half, with Riteish Deshmukh's performance drawing occasional praise. The most common criticisms center on a weak, juvenile script, tonal inconsistency, and repeated comparisons to the Dhoom franchise and other heist films. Several reviewers felt the film's comic ambitions were undermined by lame writing and an inability to commit convincingly to either genre.

How the 19 scores spread

1 not-rated review isn't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 20 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

From the papers

Critic reviews (20)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    This Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi film is shockingly lame and juvenile whose title seems to have been chosen because it rhymes with a cuss word. Funny much? Not really.
  2. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    I would definitely love to watch a sequel to this wedding of thriller and comedy. This is a film which you can enjoy with your family and even if you're watching alone. Lovely performance by Riteish and Vivek.
  3. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    Film may have its flaws especially in the first half but to quote Robert McKee from one of my favourite films, Adaptation, "The last act makes a film. You can have flaws, problems, but wow them in the end, and you've got a hit." Watch the film for its performances mainly by Riteish, Vivek, Vikram and Bhuvan. If you can survive through the first half, the film will surprise you and how! Watch it.
  4. Filmfare

    Film review ·

    Bank Chor and its 'smart comedy' setup, especially in the second half isn't the most intelligent piece of creative writing. Even though the film and its narrative treatment feels like a Delhi Belly, it never quite becomes as detailed and sharp as it should be. But what Bank Chor excels at is creating a hilarious banter between its lead characters. Three guys deliver some excellent punchlines and quirky dialogue to entertain in a breezy two-hour film. Director Bumpy and his team of writers may not have done enough to please the classes, but their spunky little film has enough thrills and laughs to give the massy crowds value for money. Bank Chor is definitely a comedy worth watching.
  5. FridayMoviez

    Film review ·

    If you have not enjoyed a light-hearted comedy so far, this is your chance to watch it. Although the comedy part is missing from the film, it is the thriller part which make you glued to the seats. Y-Films makes a good attempt in this genre and Ritesih Deshmukh nails it once again.
  6. Sify

    Film review ·

    The production quality of the film befits the Yash Raj Films label, and the background score, in parts, creates the adrenaline charged atmosphere, befitting a thriller.
  7. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    ...it is too reminiscent of bank-heist movies of the past; there are even clear shoutouts to the Dhoom franchise. A better plan of action and a few dry runs with the script would have ensured a product to bank on.
  8. FilmiBeat

    Film review ·

    Bank Chor is a poor cousin of Dhoom franchise minus all the frills. Stay away from this buffoonery if getting 'bheja-fried' isn't your idea of entertainment!
  9. India Today

    Film review ·

    Director Bumpy does not yet have the finesse to make a smooth transition from one genre to another. What you get as a result, is a bumpy ride.
  10. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    Its not that BANK CHOR doesn't aim for a cinematic statement, it does, the maker has tried to make a comment on the cultural and other divides in this film but it's so juvenile that it hardly registers and ends up a mockery - a joke on itself. Watch it at your own risk.
  11. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    Towards the end, when the film keeps inventing too many rapid developments, even the unconvincing knots run out of ideas before the halfway point, and you know these are obligatory attempts to lift your sagging spirits from snoozing, and seem more like afterthoughts. It's just that by then you may be too tired and uninterested to care!
  12. Firstpost

    Film review ·

    Despite its many misses, Bank Chor has more verve. Whatever little progress Bumpy has made as a filmmaker, however, is far outweighed by the insidious messaging of this film which cashes in on the prejudices that wrack Indian society today below a mask of good intentions, comedy and thrills. Sorry young man, you do not get to claim maasoomiyat here.
  13. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    This is an aspiring comic thriller that fails miserably at being either. Even brilliant actor Riteish Deshmukh and his gang of "stupid thieves" fail to rise above the lame storyline and its pathetic comic sense.
  14. IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Bank Chor is a misfit in both comedy and thriller genre but it sees Riteish and Vivek undertake something different from what they've been doing too much off late - slapstick adult comedies and just for that, you might want to watch the film.
  15. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    Bank Chor is one of the most unbearable movies of recent times. The problem is no one cared to make it well. The only saving grace is that Vivek Oberoi and Riteish Deshmukh haven't teamed up for an offensive sex comedy this time around
  16. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    If the one line of premise had not been stretched so long and stayed focussed on comedy, this film could have been a hoot. But unfortunately it isn't.
  17. SKJBollywoodNews

    Film review ·

    This  is film that THINKS itself incredibly clever and cocky.  In actuality it is just a woefully tacky Dhoom ripoff with characters who seem to have watched the dubbed Bhojpuri version of Oceans 11 at least 11 times.
  18. Reuters

    Film review ·

    Even Deshmukh's usually reliable comic timing cannot come to the rescue, and Oberoi seems to have little to do but twirl his moustache and act menacing. And in the ultimate cop-out, the robbers are redeemed and turned into Robin Hoods, stripping the film of the last vestige of honesty.

From our readers

Audience reviews (1)

1 rating · user score 3.0

  1. Tejas NairNov 2017
    3/10

    Bank robbery films have always excited me but in the case of Bank Chor, it is like watching an unfunny joke being told by the least popular kid in the class. Riteish Deshmukh plays a smart-alecky bank robber who gets embroiled in a mess while robbing a bank with two of his dim-witted associates. Things take a turn when they realize that amidst the hostages is one more bank robber who is more experienced and cunning than the trio put together. Amateur director Bumpy has tried to expand a 10-minute short into a 2-hour narrative that powers itself with fast-delivered one-liners and occasional twists. Instead of supporting the film's movement, Vivek Oberoi and Rhea Chakraborty disrupt it by playing nonsensical characters that do not hold muster. There's a reeking political angle in the plot that worsens the proceedings. Even though everything falls in place towards the end, to make Bank Chor look like a clever film, whatever happens in the first 30 minutes is enough to doze you off. Sahil Vaid goes borderline overacting but makes it at least bearable. There are a lot of issues with Bank Chor and even if the makers corrected it, it would still be a film that should not be recommended. There is just no substance here. TN.

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

You may also like

Hindi films like Bank Chor

TMDB

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.