A muddled reincarnation drama where weak writing undoes its charming leads.
Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Raabta is largely negative, with most reviewers finding the film a missed opportunity given its premise. A number of critics acknowledged the chemistry between lead actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon as a relative bright spot, with some noting the film's appealing visual presentation of its European locations. However, the screenplay and writing drew widespread condemnation, with critics citing a lack of emotional connection, poor logic, an imbalance between its two timelines, and an overlong runtime. Several reviewers deemed the film outright unwatchable, and the villain's portrayal was also singled out as ineffective.
2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 21 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Sushant Singh Rajput has moments and he makes the most of it, but suavity is not one of his strengths. Kriti Sanon is a surprise, having made clear strides since we saw her last. And one of our best actors, Rajkummar Rao, is hidden under layers of latex.
Top critic
Film review ·
This is the kind of movie that film critics must endure so you don't have to.
Film review ·
Raabta is fun most of the way.If only Jim had loosened up and had as much as Sushant and Sanon.
Film review ·
Raabta lacks the finesse required to pull off a theme like this, but it is definitely good to look at. From Budapest to colour blasts during flashback scenes, it features some captivating moments. Sadly that doesn't seem enough. Poor writing is Raabta's nemesis provided you don't want to settle for a 'being there' done that' kind of a story.
Film review ·
Romance, comets, revenge, dreams and death wishes- Raabta has it all! But it's Sushant Singh Rajput- Kriti Sanon's alluring chemistry which turns out to be a more 'paas rakhe ki cheez'!
Film review ·
It's the contemporary parts of the film that are relatively enjoyable. While you may wonder how a rich, eccentric man is allowed to roam free in Europe kidnapping women, the film doesn't bow down to logic.
Film review ·
'Raabta' is a love story between two decades. The latest one highly appeals and the earlier one refuses to charm its audience.
Film review ·
'Raabta' is a good attempt, but given a few minor irritants, an emotional connect is hard to come by. Ironic, considering 'Raabta' in Urdu means connection. The biggest issue is how detached the two worlds are. With the audience being pulled in different directions, the mismatch can only prove detrimental to the film.
Film review ·
If sparks flew more organically, it would have been easier to make a connection with this epic tale of love.
Film review ·
Sushant and Kriti' s terrific chemistry deserved so much better. I hope filmmakers take notice and cast these two in a film that exploits their full potential. Raabta is an opportunity wasted.
Film review ·
The film doesn't have the requisite mystery associated with the genre and the screenplay co-written by Siddharth-Garima neither reaches the great heights claimed through its promotional schemes nor the promise of its interesting premise, nor is it a groundbreaking reincarnation drama. Though well executed and photographed, it's too implausible and takes too many liberties with the meaning of the term "reincarnation", making it into a gross literal reality. At best, it merely pretends at some great gravitas but never gets past being only moderate entertainment.
Film review ·
Watch it if you are a Sushant Singh Rajput fan. For non-fans his chemistry with Kriti Sanon will see you through! There is nothing new or unpredictable about the story so nothing much there! In fact, it will give you a major throwback to Mirzya, which in itself was an unimpressive film! Dinesh Vijan has captured the beauty of Budapest and Vienna decently and the film might give you wanderlust!
Film review ·
Raabta is a confused film that never establishes a firm balance between its crossover love stories.
Film review ·
It is a Sushant Singh film all the way and all those who like him will find it endearing and fun. For the rest, it is a chance you might want to take.
Film review ·
Avoid this one and save your money. If not for this one then perhaps for the next life. This Raabta is a strict no-no.
Film review ·
Watching Raabta possibly can't be anyone's idea of entertainment in this birth or last...
Film review ·
It is possible that Raabta's writers Siddharth-Garima got the initial inspiration for their story from Rajamouli's film. Or maybe they did not. The truth is this project has no new ideas.
Film review ·
Love aaj kal, flowers, chocolates, kisses, Pritam, Deepika. Vijan lays out all his trump cards and tried-and-tested elements of his ouevre, but nothing can save Raabta.
Film review ·
Raabta is a brainless, pointless romance with pretenses of rebirth, set in a foreign country. Utterly devoid of chemistry, the lead pair talks inanities until you fall asleep.
Film review ·
Raabta is a terribly boring fare which will meet with a disastrous fate at the box-office.
Film review ·
Vijan doesn't seem to have the directing chops to make this kind of film, and at 154-minutes, "Raabta" is much too long and overwrought. Sanon and Rajput drum up chemistry in the beginning and try to make their parts work, but Jim Sarbh is out of his depth. He is uncomfortable as the villain and unintentionally funny when he tries to portray the charming psychopath.
From our readers
5 ratings · user score 3.8
Personally, I feel that we are now way past a stage in Bollywood, to rely on scripts dealing with 'punar janam' unless, there's something really unseen in it. Raabta comes across as a mishmash of a contemporary love story that suddenly changes to an unlikely twist of Game Of Thrones. While the makers try hard to change the whole angle of Rajamouli's Magadheera, it doesn't really get any better. The only saviour in the movie was its Soundtrack with instant hits like Ik Vaari and Raabta sung by Arijit. There was a lack of chemistry between Sushant and Kriti and this add to the disappointment of 'Raabta'. Avoid this one and the save your money. 'Raabta' is strictly no to watch in theatre. My Rating : 2/5
Raabta, a film by producer turned director Dinesh Vijan, attempts the same old formulae of reincarnation. But films with reincarnation concept are very much made in the past as well viz. Mehbooba, Om Shanti Om, Karan Arjun, Karz, Ek Paheli Leela etc., a few of them being successful films and a few others did not do so well. According to Dr. Brian Weiss, a Past-Life Regression Therapist and author of many books, the souls move in families. Certain inputs from him convey that destiny will place us in a particular circumstance, which will encounter with a particular person at appointed time and place. This will happen with every person we have chosen to bring into this lifetime. The film Raabta has such protagonists, coincidences bring them together, but somehow the treatment given to the idea is not at all new and not different. The whole concept of reincarnation is dealt in a very lousy manner. The very meaning of Raabta is 'Connection' and unfortunately audience may hardly be able to connect with the film. Shiv (Sushant Singh Rajput) travels (or moves) to Budapest along with his best friend Varun. Shiv is supposed to be a banker, but one hardly sees him beyond chasing / flirting with girls, partying etc. He meets Saira (Kriti Sanon) who runs a Chocolate store. Both of them feel instant connect with one another. Saira does get nightmare of getting drowned. She often wonders why she gets these dreams. Saira's character is developed as the one who is confused, although apparently cool. Zakir (Jim Sarbh) , a liquor baron, enters into the scene and events take a different turn altogether. And as it is predictable, the lives of Shiv, Saira and Zakir are intertwined from the past life itself. A love comet is also scheduled to fly across the skies for the first time in 800 years. The film takes us to their past lives. And there we get to see Rajkummar Rao in a very much unrecognizable get up. In fact, certain elements in the past life story is not very well developed. The story weaving is very poor. How Shiv, Saira and Zakir were connected in the past life? What purpose was left behind that the paths of three of them cross ? Sushant has certainly evolved a great actor but in Raabta he goes overboard at times, his acting looks a bit superficial. Kriti Sanon is beautiful and her character is almost consistent in her nature, be it in past life or present life. But could not find her character getting developed. The on-screen chemistry between Sushant and Kriti might have looked great, but this is not explored appropriately. Jim Sarbh (Neerja fame) is ok. Overall the actors are trapped in a confused plot. The cameo by Deepika Padukone shaking her legs on the title song Raabta does not do any good to the film. Raabta means 'Connection', but ironically the film fails to connect with the audience. The same old concept of reincarnation is dealt in a very lousy manner. The actors are trapped in a confused lot.
Below average. Good : Chemistry of the lead , few songs , deepika's item number ( its difficult to take eyes off her ) Weakness : Poor script , Tacky direction , below average cinematography , typical Bollywood clichés
'Raabta' makers are ling because the film is vishnu the adapta yoon of the Rajamouli epic 'Magadheera' which shrey adapta the original's cheesiness, sans the eye dor conviction and visual splendor. Its a smashing bore, a film that doesn't even expend half its potential. Its also the most incompetent Hindi love story you'll see this year, saved a little bit because it's leading hero understands a little bit that he has to deliver, and Rajkumar Rao's earnestness. Without them, the film doesn't have the right to be called a 'film'. In the end of the tale I have only one thing to say to the film: Quit if you get similar scripts to be written. You have no film industry to live on.
Credits
Sushant Singh Rajput
Kriti Sanon
Jim Sarbh
Rajkummar Rao
Rahul KohliKabir
Varun Sharma
Deepika PadukoneDancer
Nidhi Subbaiah
Irrfan Khanthe narratorHindi films like Raabta
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