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Not a Love Story backdrop
19 August 2011Hindi104 min

Not a Love Story

5.012 reviews
CriticsMixed

Bayesian avg · 12 critic reviews

7.5+ Exceptional · 6.5 Recommended · 5.0 Mixed

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Sandeep Chowta MusicRam Gopal Varma DirectorHarshraj Shroff CinematographyM. Ravichandran Thevar Cinematography

Top Cast

Not A Love Story is a 2011 Indian crime-thriller film inspired by the gruesome murder of Neeraj Grover in 2008 that led to the arrest of Emile Jerome and Maria Susairaj. Starring Mahie Gill, Deepak Dobriyal and Ajay Gehi and directed by Ram Gopal Varma, the film was released on 19 August 2011. Ram Gopal Varma has announced that the film is not a biopic but is inspired by the case.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Not A Love Story is sharply divided, with scores ranging from outright dismissal to high praise. Supporters found the film engaging and impactful, with some noting it as a return to form for director Ram Gopal Varma, while detractors found it made in bad taste, visually unpleasant, and exploitative in its camera work. The most consistent criticism across negative reviews is the film's gratuitous and voyeuristic treatment of its subject matter, while even mixed reviews acknowledged it held a degree of watchability.

12 reviews · 6 positive · 2 mixed · 4 negative

Praised: engaging and watchable narrativeCriticised: exploitative voyeuristic camera work

AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors

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Critic Reviews (12)

Nikhat KazmiTop Critic· Times Of India
6.0
"Gory, yes but Not A Love Story is an interesting study of the darker and more devious spots of friendly neighbourhood types."
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Saibal ChatterjeeTop Critic· NDTV
6.0
"The lovers are anything but loveable characters. And this tale is a tragedy woven around the ugly face of love. Downbeat? Yes. But it's engaging and watchable – if for nothing else, for the flashes of the RGV of yore."
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Rajeev MasandTop Critic· IBNLive
4.0
"It's far from Varma's best work, but it's not entirely unwatchable."
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Shubhra GuptaTop Critic· Indian Express
3.0
"All we are left with is the detritus, of the body, and a film that could have delved into the minds of those whose lives unravel when a crime of passion occurs."
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Raja SenTop Critic· Rediff
3.0
"This is a film made in bad taste, and -- with apologies to Mr Capote -- in old blood."
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Taran Adarsh· Bollywood Hungama
8.0
"On the whole, NOT A LOVE STORY shocks and stuns, which only goes to prove how impactful the film is. But, most importantly, it reiterates the age-old adage, anger is short-lived madness and how things can change for worse at the spur of the moment. It must be said that NOT A LOVE STORY is amongst Ramgopal Varma's best works. An intense mindbender, NOT A LOVE STORY is a wonderful illustration of how the accurate approach to storytelling can levitate a film. Try not to miss this one!"
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Subhash K Jha· Bollyspice
7.0
"You leave the film with the painful sound of crashing dreams reverberating in your ears."
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Rachana· Glamsham
6.0
"NOT A LOVE STORY is not a bad film!"
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Zeenews Bureau· Zee News
6.0
"Although the film is based on Neeraj Grover murder case, it does not show anything beyond what`s already known. In fact, RGV sticks to fiction and fictionalizes almost all the characters."
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Mayank Shekhar· Hindustan Times
4.0
"Moving images can cause a genuine migraine to some. At least the ones in this film could."
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Komal Nahta· KoiMoi
3.0
"On the whole, Not A Love Story has limited appeal. It is more for the classes, that too in the big cities, than for the masses. It has curiosity value more than entertainment value and although its biggest plus point is its limited budget, it lacks the merits to score at the box-office."
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Aniruddha Guha· DNA India
2.0
"When Not A Love Story started, it seemed like it was a bad film so enjoyable that it could be recommended. But soon, you realise that this kind of skullduggery wouldn't be advisable for anyone. As the low-held Canon 5D follows Mahie Gill's bosom, or is placed strategically below her legs, you are sickened by the desperate attempt at titillation."
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Cast & Crew

Cast

Details

Release Date
19 August 2011
Runtime
104 min
Language
Hindi

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