The film leaves you with a feeling that it had the potential to be an absolute humdinger. But stray flashes apart, the dramatized true story drifts too far from the heart of the matter without delivering the expected drama

John Abraham starrer not Independence Day treat, but good one-time watch

Batla House is a needlessly convoluted and garbled interpretation of the 2008 encounter case which entirely sides with the police.

There’s no escaping basic Bollywood tropes here either. But it’s done all so smartly to never take attention away from a deeply realistic crime-drama. This is clearly Advani’s best work in a long while; suspect since the animation film Delhi Safari (2012), if not his rom-com debut, Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)!

The protagonist, as we always know, is never in any real danger of losing either his job or credibility because the film clearly establishes the sequence of events early on. The Rashomon Effect, contradictory interpretations of a single event, is only introduced towards the end. By then, the film’s conclusion is like most other police encounters. Fairly predictable.

Unlike Madras Cafe, however, Abraham’s Kumar sulks big time throughout the film in an effort to win your sympathy for facing the consequences of doing his job as an honest and upright police officer.

Mrunal Thakur and Ravi Kishen barely have anything to do.

John Abraham is strictly one-note, which may be how dour cops are meant to come off, but it becomes same-same in a screenplay stretched to show off a well-muscled chest.

John Abraham tries hard but this police drama isn’t arresting enough…

A Semi-Effective Police Portrait That Commits To Its Hero…Batla House is forced to take a stand. And it does, in good conscience. Which is more than can be said about other Hindi movies of whitewashed history

John Abraham is at his home territory as he portrays the role of a decorated officer and it’s nothing we have not seen already. Watch it for the depiction of real life incidents and the obvious cinematic liberties. It’s not really the independence day treat but makes for a one-time watch.

Batla House gains all the marks in keeping us thrilled till the end. John Abraham’s flawless performance, Nikkhil Advani’s effortless direction and Ritesh Shah’s absorbing story help the story to flourish in its own enthralling way. Informs you things in an exciting manner!

Batla House is a movie made for those who want to revisit the pages of history. On the Independence Day, the police officers deserve a film like Batla House to remind us that there is a world in between the two extremes of ‘memes’ and the ‘hyper-national portrayal of the forces’.

John Abraham’s dramatic film seems burdened by its patriotic ambitions…

What transpired at Batla House remains unclear, and Indian courts continue to hear cases linked to the encounter to this day. As far as this film is concerned, there is no room for debate. In true Bollywood tradition, “Batla House” chooses to hide its grays under black and white.

John Abraham’s Film is a Crowd-Pleaser…Batla House combines all the essential tropes of mainstream Bollywood films in remarkably entertaining fashion, and make you sit and notice the fluidity of the narrative.

Despite some of the flaws, ‘Batla House’ makes for a gripping, intense watch.