TheReviewMonk is back — critic reviews for Indian cinema, aggregated. Read our story →

TheReviewMonk
Raajneeti backdrop

Raajneeti

4 June 2010Hindi2h 47m
DramaThriller
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 9 critic reviews

A sprawling political saga carried by its cast but let down by a stumbling finale.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: ensemble cast performances
  • Criticised: weak uneven third act

Audience

User score 5.7 out of 10 from 3 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Top cast

Full cast & crew

Critic consensus

What 9 critics are saying

Critical reception for Raajneeti is mixed, with most reviewers acknowledging it as a compelling and engrossing portrait of Indian political ambition, even as opinions diverge sharply on its overall success. Several critics praised the film's sweep and the performances of its ensemble cast, particularly Ranbir Kapoor, while Subhash K Jha singled out the cinematography as outstanding. However, detractors felt the film failed to live up to its potential, with complaints about an overlong runtime, a predictable narrative arc rooted in its epic source material, and a third act that some found unconvincing or even farcical. The gap between the film's ambitions and its execution is the most consistent fault line in the reviews.

How the 9 scores spread

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 9 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

From the papers

Critic reviews (9)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    `Raajneeti' could have been the film of the year. It had the potential, and the actors, but it comes together only intermittently. This is not the Prakash Jha who has made some of the most politically resonant films in Hindi cinema.

  3. Top critic

    Rediff

    Film review ·

    The film starts off aggressive, turns into a game of toppling pawns, and ends up a farce as Kunti meets Karan and the audience dissolves into giggles. Jha's films, while often flawed nearing the end, usually provide some sort of grass root insight; this one pretty much dares you to take it seriously. Don't even try.

  5. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    Take time out for a serious and compelling celluloid experience. Don't miss Raajneeti.

  7. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    Watch it for Ajay, Arjun, Nana and Manoj; Ranbir's stunning portrayal and Katrina's coming-of-age. The rest of Raajneeti will put you off politics forever.

  8. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    ...is not just a film that opens up the tattered edges of Indian politics. It dares to walk right into the muck with restraint, vigour and some sensitivity. The film has some outstanding cinematography by Sachin Kumar Krishnan. The camera seems to be looking into places in the characters' psyche that perhaps even the screenplay isn't aware of.

  9. Wogma

    Film review ·

    This almost 3-hour affair doesn't slacken but doesn't keep you waiting for the next move either. Because somehow there's a foregone conclusion given the epic characters the film is based on.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

3 ratings · user score 5.7

  1. Saheb AbdullahMay 2016
    6/10

    A Well Made Movie.. With Big Ensemble Cast It Goes Well, And Sticks To The Point

    Report
  2. Prashast SinghJul 2017
    3/10

    Watching political drama films is not in my routine list. Thus my review may not appeal to each and everyone. It's true that Prakash Jha is a master at making Political films, but its also true that he faltered to handle such a sensitive subject. Raajneeti is a predictable political revenge saga that has no soul in itself. The positive efforts of the film are overshadowed by damp writing, poor direction, and of course, a very 'political' type of routine screenplay. The film starts off well. Till the interval, many things go well. However, a poorly scripted second half just doesn't impress. Talking of the performances, every actor, except Katrina, gives an immensely powerful performance. Rather, performances are the only redeeming feature of this film. The music is charming, but was however, not just needed at all. The cinematography is excellent. The climax of the film is well scripted. Talking about what's not good in the film, its obvious that a poor writing and characterization kills the film. Although you see Naseeruddin Shah in all posters prominently, you don't get to see him for more than 2 or 3 minutes. Ranbir Kapoor's character is the worst scripted. One is lost in translation, thinking whether his character is positive or negative. There are various moments where you realize that the film's canvas was very big and the subject could have been exploited better. But, the film falls short of all the expectations one makes from this film. But, there are a few scenes, which really deserve praise. The sequences involving Ajay Devgn are simply the best ones. Apart from this, there is nothing you can expect from this film. On the whole, Raajneeti is a film that never takes itself seriously in terms of doing justice to its subject, but does take itself too seriously in terms of being a "Raajneeti" as a bad film. If you like such political revenge sagas, watch it, otherwise, avoid it with no regrets. Heavily disappointing.

    Report

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

Director

Cinematography

Producer

You may also like

Hindi films like Raajneeti

TMDB

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.