The Malayalam version had a bit of flab which is also seen here – both the films clock the same time, even though it looked like the original film took longer to establish the plot and cut to the chase. While the family bonding element it essential it should not take almost an hour to set it up. In the end, Drishyam comes across as a thriller and not so much as a family drama.

‘Drishyam’ picks up momentum towards the second-half, so if you are willing to indulge the filmmaker, you wouldn’t be disappointed.

Drishyam is a well-made film with some exciting moments but it has appeal more for the classes. It is also too lenghty. At the box-office, it will be difficult for the film to break even despite recovery of more than 50% of the investment (Rs. 65 crore) from sale of satellite rights alone.

On paper it belongs to Ajay but on screen it is Tabu who walks away with it. And even when she is effortlessly seeking attention, the underrated Rajat Kapoor excels as the husband who retains his sanity amidst the moral chaos.

Watch it for them, watch it if you haven’t watched the original.

It is hardly flawless, but it glues you – body and mind alert – to the story. A thing you can only rarely say for a thriller. It is not a visual treat that ought to be watched in the theater, but it is a film which can be appreciated and encouraged for its writing. And of course, no home theater can enhance the thrill like a dark cinema hall

For anyone who has not watched any of the other versions Drishyam would be a welcome addition to the range of cinema that the month of July has sprung out.

When was the last time you enjoyed a film for its gripping plot, its compelling story? Drishyam, with its refreshingly original screenplay and its many moments of tension, is just that. Kamat’s Hindi version pales in comparison to both the original Malayalam film and the Tamil remake, but the plot nevertheless keeps you hooked till the end.

With the sluggish first half in which Kamat gives Tabu a dramatic slo-mo entry, the more suspense-driven second half is a vast improvement. Kamat just about holds it together as he takes a will-they, won’t-they approach to the Salgaonkars and engrosses viewers into their fate. Nonetheless, you’ll be better off watching the Malayalam original.

You possibly should not miss this film, because one it has those intense eyes of Ajay Devgn along with realistic performance by Tabu. And if that’s not enough, then you have another reason – content surely is the king.

DRISHYAM is a spot-on crime thriller that has some ‘heart-in-your-mouth’ moments. It’s set up in a made-up village called Pondolim in North Goa. What’s satisfying about the entire screenplay is that what Vijay is doing on screen is what you will do for your family.

Nothing less; after all, family is all that we have!

…the film remains watchable for the story, a few suspenseful moments, and Tabu’s electrifying act.

Drishyam is everything a Bollywood film should be – smart, hard-hitting and story-driven. It’s a must-watch, especially if you enjoy suspense films!

For an engaging battle of wits, watch this film. The second half, thankfully a direct adaptation of the original, also draws you in as audience, making you think of right and wrong, justice & fairness. Also do catch it if you are an Ajay Devgn or Tabu fan. Otherwise, for those who like watching quality films on crime & passion, I would rather leave the decision to you.

A lot is salvaged in the crackerjack reveal during the finale and it becomes easy to be swept away by the climax’s sheer populist wave. If a better, more convincing central actor had brought some authenticity to the table, Drishyam could have been a must-watch. Right now, it just gets a mild thumbs-up.

Handicapped by its stars, Kamat ends up making a decent film that doesn’t live up to its potential, lacks wow moments and seems too long at 163 minutes. And that’s a shame, because there’s a good story and an intelligent adaptation hidden out of sight in Drishyam.

In all, Drishyam squanders much of its potential, leaving one wondering what the film could have been, had it been executed well. Watch it if you have to, for Ajay and Tabu’s display of duelling willpowers.

The climax is just awesome and worth watching and waiting for. Performance-wise, Ajay is very good, as is Tabu. Shriya and the daughters have also acted brilliantly and do justice to their characters. The film’s direction and screenplay is very good, while the music is okay. I would say, the movie is must watch.

Drishyam works because it doesn’t talk about a hero but a common man. Drishyam works because you feel for every character in the film. Drishyam works because it leaves you stunned. Drishyam works because it keeps you glued to your seat till the last moment. Drishyam works because it’s a finely crafted suspense thriller after a really long time. Drishyam works because you thought Indian filmmakers can’t make good thrillers. Drishyam works because it shows two different India. Drishyam works because visuals can be deceptive.

The film, which stays mostly faithful to the original but has a few inserts, could have been better if it had been tighter.
Second half is where the movie and Ajay Devgn– both take time to get into their groove– come into their own.

… several parts of the film work and, for the most part, Drishyam motors along far more efficiently than most Hindi films — but isn’t that too low a bar?

Drishyam could’ve been crisper (runtime: 163:33 minutes) and woven in a few more tricks and surprises. But it is only a lazy remake and a lot is lost in translation.

Drishyam isn’t an edge-of-the-seat thriller. In fact, it is one that makes you sit back and think.

… the film raises an important question on what’s right and what’s wrong. A film that sparks off a debate is such a rarity in Hindi films.

There are no loose ends in the plot; every character, every situation is well planned and visualised to perfection. The background score is evocative though a song that served to highlight the trauma of the characters seemed eminently forgettable.

In the end, it all comes down to the twist ending. The story has all the trappings to keep you engaged and then the surprise climax rounds it all up nicely. But these are things not original to Drishyam’s Hindi iteration. And yet those are the strengths of this film.

Those who have seen the Malayalam version must steer clear of this movie.Ajay can never match up to Mohanlal’s performance. Otherwise it could be called an average Bollywood thriller.

If the Hindi remake, also called Drishyam, proves anything, it is that Joseph’s movie, which borrows its central idea from the Japanese thriller The Devotion of Suspect X, is a hard act to follow. The Hindi Drishyam, directed by Nishikant Kamat, works just fine so long as it reproduces its original twisty quality, but it nevertheless suffers from miscasting and unnecessary scripting tweaks.

Drishyam is the fourth remarkable film this July. The story of an ordinary family under extraordinary stress, Kamat puts his finger on the pulse of the original Malayalam film to convert into into an all-new gripping thriller.

Watch ‘Drishyam’ to see the actor Ajay Devgn returning to his intensity best in this emotionally packed powerful, faithful, pulse riser, powered by superlative performance that envelopes a relevant message of morality and upbringing.

Drishyam is worth a watch. It has a strong engaging second half that will have you on the edge of your seat. Watch it for some terrific performances from Ajay and Tabu.

Drishyam is nifty and is all about the nail-bitingness that edge-of-the-seat stuff are made of.

If you haven’t watched Drishyam in any other language then book your tickets immediately and don’t miss out watching this thrilling movie.

Kamat’s film works well if you haven’t seen the original. Otherwise, this remake might fall a tad short.

Drishyam is a solid remake, but a film with Tabu as in the Vijay role and Devgn as the cop would have been so much more exciting.

What works against the film is the loud Ramsay-like horror film background music and mediocre performances by most other actors, except Rajat Kapoor and Prathamesh Parab. But do watch this film for Ajay and Tabu’s performances and of course, that one-in-a-million story. Content, after all, is the key.

…an absolute winner that keeps you hooked completely right till the end. It is definitely a must watch movie this weekend.

A suspense drama with a nail-biting finish, Drishyam holds the viewer by the eyeballs till its’ engaging climax.

Ajay, who is the prey here, shines in his role of the protective father. While his family definitely needed to be cast in a more discerning fashion, half a star in this review is reserved for Tabu, who is outstanding as his predator.

Drishyam is gripping in parts but is anything but an unblemished humdinger.