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Simran

15 September 2017Hindi3h 58m
Drama
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 21 scored reviews · 1 not rated

Kangana carries a film that its writing keeps letting down.

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

  • Praised: Kangana Ranaut's committed performance
  • Criticised: weak, illogical screenplay and writing

Audience

User score 6.2 out of 10 from 5 ratings, Mixed
Read 3 audience reviews ↓

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Top cast

Full cast & crew

Critic consensus

What 21 critics are saying

Critical reception for Simran is mixed-to-moderate, with the majority of reviewers finding the film watchable but flawed. Kangana Ranaut's performance is the near-unanimous point of praise, with critics repeatedly describing it as full-blooded, committed, and the primary reason to see the film. The screenplay and writing draw the most consistent criticism, with reviewers citing weak logic, a sloppy second half, tonal inconsistency, and a failure to generate genuine emotional investment in the protagonist. Several critics note that the film falls short of its premise's potential and is best approached as a one-time watch.

How the 21 scores spread

1 not-rated review isn't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

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

AI-generated summary of 21 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (22)

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

  1. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    There's ample meat in the story, yet the writing itself is weak. The film's second half feels particularly sloppy, and don't even get me started on the caricaturish villains. But it's a testament to Kangana's full-blooded performance that Simran works despite these complaints. She's in excellent form, an artiste at the top of her game, as she gives us another indelible character in the perplexing Praful Patel. Come to think of it, the movie's no slog. Mehta keeps the pace going, and delivers some terrific moments that'll make you smile.

  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Kangana keeps us watching. With her plain unvarnished face, and mobile features, she comes across as a real, solid, complex woman, someone you can reach out and touch. When she's on the top of her game, helping us ignore so many of the film's loopholes, she's glorious. It's a pity her own story lets her down.

  3. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Kangana Ranaut's solid performance keeps the film watchable, but Simran is ultimately an exhausting film.

  4. Sify

    Film review ·

    Overall, this frothy entertainer Simran is a film Kangana carries squarely on her shoulders and makes the most slipshod scenes look endearing. Watch it only for Kangana Ranaut.

  5. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    Frankly, you can't emotionally invest in Simran or root for her as much as you might want to. But when you watch the film, you will find yourself warming up to her occasionally, because she's all you've got. Let's give Kangana her due.

  6. Wogma

    Film review ·

    The struggle of Indian parents and children in America to be both American and Indian at the same time isn't new. But put together, they make the film a rich experience that cannot be slotted into one genre. My heart leaped with joy at the climax. If only, the 20-30 minutes in the second half didn't distance you from the film.

  7. Firstpost

    Film review ·

    Simran has come to theatres following an ugly controversy over its writing credits. The final rolls read: story, screenplay and dialogues — Apurva Asrani, additional story and dialogues — Kangana Ranaut. The truth about what went on behind the scenes may never be fully revealed, but what has emerged now that the curtains have been drawn aside is a compact, sweet, unconventional entertainer.

  8. Gulf News

    Film review ·

    Reserve this for a one-time watch as it's incredible to see Ranaut play a self-destructive rebel. But if you are looking for a cohesive cinematic piece, then you are looking at the wrong film.

  9. IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Simran is undoubtedly entertaining, but it is more of a presentation of the acting prowess of the incredible genre-crossing actor Kangana Ranaut.

  10. KhaleejTimes

    Film review ·

    Overall, 'Simran' is an honest film made with a true heart and totally recommended to watch this weekend. The last scene will leave a smile on your face as you leave the theatres.

  11. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Go and watch this film for Kangana Ranaut's yet another stellar performance. This film also proves one more thing – there never could be a best for Kangana as she's unstoppable. Hansal Mehta! Thank you for Simran.

  12. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    A tighter second half, fewer songs and a less hurried ending would have made Simran a watch for keeps. But there's more reason to celebrate Simran than diss it. The quirky perspective at finding laughs in troubled times is a refreshing way of viewing problems. And then there's Kangana, making badass look simple, human and so full of heart.

  13. PinkVilla

    Film review ·

    Simran has so much going for it that you really want to like the film, root for Praful, draw satisfaction from a stellar performance of a fine artiste like Kangana. But then, something doesn't work for the film. Unfortunately, it's a great one-time watch which makes you wish that the makers had fine-tuned it enough to propel it towards a huge success!

  14. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Though it is clearly a one-woman film, the film hangs together with the help of its supporting actors who do their job contributing additional desi flavour like Praful's MCP, hot-tempered father (Hiten Shah) who treats his grown daughter like a child.

  16. India Today

    Film review ·

    Kangana's Queen made you want to fly to Amsterdam right from the theatre. There is nothing that you want to do after Simran, save go back home. Watch the film if you swear by Kangana Ranaut. She spreads her wings like the tiny butterflies in her stomach and flies, but Simran does not take off.

  17. Yahoo

    Film review ·

    Overall, 'Simran' is sunny but lacks the emotional heft and gravitas that would have placed it in a higher league.

  19. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    As the idea behind the title of this film SIMRAN demands an extra dose of patience, tolerance and imagination, Hansal Mehta had an interesting badass women robber - the bombshell bandit to churn into an intriguing piece of cinema like his previous SHAHID and ALIGARH which were based on characters from real life but this time in order to turn a bit quirky it turned murky resulting in a lost bet.

  20. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Kangana mostly does a fine job of bringing the character to life but at times goes overboard while portraying the antics of Praful. However, all of it seems so self-indulgent that neither the film nor the protagonist is successful in making the audience empathise or identify with her.

From our readers

Audience reviews (3)

5 ratings · user score 6.2

  1. Chinmay RatnaparkhiSept 2017
    10/10

    As expected, Kangana Ranaut's performance in Simran is absolutely praiseworthy. The story line is extremely engaging and bittersweet. Definitely recommended!

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  2. Midhun Ben Thomas (Dilseben)Sept 2017
    3/10

    This weekend could be termed as the week of "Girl Power" as we had Sindhu making the nation proud with her exploits at the Korean Super Series. Even in Bollywood, we have a women centric movie with Kangana Ranaut, the reigning queen in the lead. There were numerous controversies leading to the release of the movie with regard to her statements on her male counterparts & nepotism. Whatever might be the case, the trailer of "Simran" seems to convey that it is going to be yet another gem from Kangana. With Hansal Mehta calling the shots, the quality of the movie wont be in question. But will it be able to satiate the audience??? Praful Patel (Kangana Ranaut) is a divorced, independent Gujarati female who worked in the hospitality industry in Atlanta. As her parents constantly nagged her to get hitched, she has been on the lookout for a suitable apartment where she could move into. After years of hard work, she finally managed to hoard sufficient savings along with a loan from the bank that would enable her to get a place of her choice. But before she could seal the deal, she goes on to Sin City with her cousin. Just like it has happened to many, she loiters into the casino & gets hooked onto the dealer's table once she starts winning. Hoping to cash in on more money, she gambles the next day as well & that's when reality hits her hard as she looses whatever she had including the deposit to her apartment. Her desperation to win it back makes her borrow money from a loan shark. Little did she realise that she was in an absolute quagmire which would change her life forever. Hansal Mehta's credentials as a director is well established with movies like "Aligarh", "Shahid", "City Lights" etc to his credit. His latest venture is loosely based on Sandeep Kaur aka "Bombshell Bandit", a Punjabi Sikh nurse who is presently serving jail time in the US for robbing several banks. The story by Apurva Asrani as such is interesting especially the complex character of Kangana that is intriguing, childish & crazy all rolled into one. But his screenplay falters in the second half, as the robbery, police investigation & climax seemed rather silly & preposterous. All the technical aspects has been handled adequately be it Anuj Rakesh's cinematography, Antara Lahiri's editing & Sachin Jigar's music. Coming to performances, it was a one woman show with Kangana being absolutely brilliant. Her goofiness in Vegas reminded me of Mr. Bean which was spot on. Equally impressive was her ability to convey her vulnerability & establishes her position as one of the finest actresses in the industry. Since the story basically revolved around her, none of the other characters barely got much screen space but even then Sohum Shah as Sameer deserves praise along with characters like Praful's parents & the bar attender in Vegas. Verdict: Well it's not a type of movie that will be lapped up by the masses but it will have the urban audience interested. There is no doubt that the film has flaws in the screenplay just like the protagonist. But if you ask me, Kangana's performance definitely makes it worth watching. In short, do check it out!!!! Rating: 2.75/5 Regards...Ben

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  3. Rhiki Ranjan NeupaneOct 2017
    7/10

    Good. Good : Kangana's extraordinary performance ( the movie is completely on her shoulders and could be flat without her presence ) , Fine performance by the cast , Decent direction , good story Weakness : overall screenplay is a let down , second half is disappointing

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