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Setters backdrop

Setters

3 May 2019Hindi2h 6m

What critics are saying

Critical reception for Setters is largely negative to mixed, with most reviewers finding the film underwhelming despite its promising premise.

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A thriller film directed by Ashwini Chaudhary, starring Aftab Shivdasani and Sonalli Sehgall in the lead roles.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Setters is largely negative to mixed, with most reviewers finding the film underwhelming despite its promising premise. A few critics appreciated its ensemble cast and its grounding in the social realities of India's examination malpractice culture, with some comparing it favorably to a heist-style caper. However, the dominant criticism across reviews is weak writing and an overlong, tedious execution that fails to generate suspense or explore its subject with sufficient depth. The film is widely seen as one that squanders its potential.

8 rated reviews · 2 positive · 2 mixed · 4 negative

Praised: Ensemble cast and milieuCriticised: Weak writing, overlong execution

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

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Critic Reviews (9)

Updated
Saibal ChatterjeeTop Critic· NDTV
5.0
The film remains a middling affair because it asks many important questions but answers only a handful with any degree of clarity.
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Shubhra GuptaTop Critic· Indian Express
4.0
Setters lays all its cards on the table in the first act itself: the follow-up is over-long and tedious. And, barring a few sharp moments, flat.
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7.0
A Sharp Comment on Indian Education System...Setters is designed like an Oceans 11 kind of caper where the stakes are not just a heist idea, but the education system of India.
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IANS· Sify
7.0
But then again, this could be a wildly profound reading of a film that wants to be mischievous enough to be "India's Oceans 11". It succeeds in being that, and then some more.
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Renuka Vyavahare· Times Of India
5.0
A thriller devoid of any sort of pressure, falls flat and thus feels never ending. Solid writing would have done wonders for a film like this that had the potential to be gripping.
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Sukanya Verma· Rediff
4.0
Even if Setters shows no inclination to understand the dark desperation that drives parents to buy marks for undeserving children, it could've made a little more effort to be sly or suspenseful,
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Arnab Banerjee· Deccan Chronicle
4.0
Wish there was more to the story or its writing that would have made the 125 minute film worth the time and effort!
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Anna MM Vetticad· Firstpost
4.0
In terms of concept and cast, Setters has a lot going for it. In its execution though, it does not quite add up.
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Namrata Joshi· The Hindu
Not rated
Chaudhary gets the milieu, lingo and the social nuances and hierarchies right and has a fabulous ensemble of actors, some in smaller roles, but the film doesn't hit a high note. It remains facile rather than probing or provocative. It's also too protracted to hold your interest. Incidentally, two of the actors here—Jameel Khan and Ishita Datta—can also be seen in the other release of the week, Blank.
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Cast & Crew

Details

Release Date
3 May 2019
Runtime
2h 6m
Language
Hindi

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