Kaalakaandi

"Kaalakaandi may not be for all palates, but the film has enough spice for those in the mood for an off-the-beaten-track Bollywood experience."

"Akhsat Verma's directorial debut is very much of the it-happened-one-night format, where all kinds of people are on the move, and stuff happens. Saif Ali Khan makes the most of his part, even though you wish it had a little more heft."

"The humor is hysterical but never consistent. And sadly there's not a lot more to it."

"Kaalakaandi assumes  many identities and  eventually abandons  all  of them for that one core truth that controls our destiny. Death .This film  dares to laugh in  face  of  mortality.That's  what makes it so  brave  and unique."

"Kaalakaandi is a great ride. At an hour and fifty minutes long, the film tells its story effectively and without any side-tracking. Sure, there are some expectations in the second half that are not met - like the sudden excitement when you see Khan in a Birdman-like costume, only to see it lead nowhere - but that would be akin to nitpicking just for the heck of it."

"...if you like your cinema experimental and edgy, give this one a try."

"It remains a lot like Delhi Belly instead, the (Akshat Verma) writer of which makes his directorial debut here. He's on the ball for sure. Is it as good as Delhi Belly? As a script? Possibly. As a film, I felt it lacks rhythm, with too much being force-fed to suit the timeline of one never-ending night in Bombay, even if that's the genre. The end might make you go, "Eh?" But through it all, you're more likely to go, "Hah!" So nah, I'm not complaining at all."

"This Saif Ali Khan starrer is not a masterpiece to be kept in the Oscars library, but it is f****** contemporary."

"Kaalakaandi doesn't always provide it, but there's enough intrigue to play along."

"Even as you continue to watch the film patiently, beyond a point, it's nothing to write home about. You eventually sum up your thoughts on the film by borrowing the film's expletive-laden dialogue —, 'experimental ke naam pe chu*****'?"

"Kaalakaandi is just about Saif Ali Khan's and his amazing performance as a recently turned stoner. Akshat impresses with his wild imagination but unfortunately when a film is bad not the biggest of the superstars can save it."

"'Kaalakaandi' tries a fresh approach – it's for a niche audience with some edgy scenes and bawdy dialogues – but I am not sure if this is everyone's cup of tea. Watch it if you must. Saif – in top form here – will keep you entertained, even if the film fails to."

"Saif Ali Khan outshines a sloppy script...The Saif ALi Khan-starrer is a thriller at best and an attempted comedy at worst."

"The direction of photography by Himman Dhamija saves the film as some wonderfully shot scenes are the bearable visuals that you can definitely admire. What's wrong with this soaring black comedy is that it fails to convince some real-life karmic lessons through a night that turned everyone's life topsy-turvy."

"KAALAKAANDI has a promising first half but goes completely downhill. At the box office, it has slim chances of becoming commercially successful."

"The Film Has Less Than 10 Percent of the Hilarious Quotient of the Writer's Past Work."

"It is hard to believe that a film directed by the writer of Delhi Belly is, for the most part, a drag. Despite Saif Ali Khan being in cracking form, Kaalakaandi lacks fizz and purpose."

"If you think a story like Delhi Belly could be replicated or something 'as cool' could be made, Kaalakaandi will disappoint you. Three random stories in one night in one terribly pretentious film that tries too hard. Fails."

"Overall with good production quality, debutant director Akshat Verma's attempt at this noir comedy is engaging but it goes without saying that the script material tries to sell itself a little too hard."

"The best thing about Akshat Verma's debut feature is a performance by Saif Ali Khan that is both outrageous and moving."

"Watch it if you possess a keen eye to find art in the places where others can't. If you are a regular movie-goer who just wants to be entertained, sit this one out."

"Khan is especially delightful, alternating between the slapstick and the sombre with an off the cuff ease. The "Cape of Good Hope" and "Australia" bits he gets to speak are the noteworthy chuckle-inducing bits in a largely bland, facile and slight fare."

"'Kaalakaandi' is an inconsistent but madcap film, with a couple of terrific performances"