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Te3n backdrop

Te3n

10 June 2016Hindi2h
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 26 scored reviews · 9 not rated

Bachchan and Nawazuddin keep this slow, predictable thriller worth watching.

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

  • Praised: lead actors' performances
  • Criticised: slow pace and predictable screenplay

Audience

User score 7.5 out of 10 from 4 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 35 critics are saying

Te3n receives a mixed-to-moderate reception, with most critics finding it a watchable but flawed thriller. The performances of Amitabh Bachchan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui are the most consistently praised element across reviews, with several critics citing them as the primary reason to see the film. Common criticisms include a slow pace, a weak or overly predictable screenplay, an unsatisfying climax, and an inability to generate genuine edge-of-the-seat tension expected of the genre. Several reviewers also noted the film's failure to escape comparisons to producer Sujoy Ghosh's earlier thriller Kahaani.

How the 26 scores spread

9 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

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

AI-generated summary of 35 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (35)

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

  1. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Even if you do end up predicting the climax, it's an engaging journey following all the clues and dodging the red herrings. Dasgupta's efficient direction and an inherently riveting plot (thank you Korean film Montage, whose official remake this is!) ensure that you're consistently invested in the outcome of the investigation. The film is as much about old age, guilt, redemption, and the morality of revenge.
  2. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    It isn't an edge-of-the-seat humdinger. The motivations of its key characters are at times rather fuzzy. And it suffers from a pronounced Kahaani hangover (which is not surprising given that director Sujoy Ghosh is the producer). But Te3n is never less than eminently watchable.
  3. Top critic

    Rediff

    Film review ·

    Overall, like the Calcutta police station that features a library of audio cassettes full of ransom demands -- a shelf of kidnapper mixtapes, if you will -- TE3N feels like it was put together by people who didn't know where things should go. Amitabh Bachchan is excellent, no question.
  4. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    TE3N is a case of sadly missed opportunities. Because there are rousing actors in here, and there's a real city to play it all out in. Kolkata is a perfect location for a film like this with its atmospheric patches and the iconic Howrah-Hoogly vistas, reminding you of producer Sujoy Ghosh's far more engaging 'Kahaani', but how a man clad in a dark hoody ( in sultry Kolkata) manages to move around those streets so freely remains an unsolvable mystery.
  5. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    Watch it for the raw display of human drama and the realistic approach to many situations which has been missing at the movies for sometime now.
  6. IndiaWest

    Film review ·

    Watch this one for its sheer ingenuity, though at 136 minutes, it is probably about 16 minutes too long.
  7. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    TE3N catches you by the neck and keeps you engrossed till the end credits. Amitabh's superlative form is just one of the incentives to watch it. TE3N has enough to make you like it.
  8. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    Even though this film is a remake of a Korean film, 'Montage', full marks to Ribhu Dasgupta for giving it a strong local flavour, with familiar and comfortable sights and sounds.
  9. TheQuint

    Film review ·

    A more convincing back-story and more time at hand to grapple with the various clues would have been ideal. But go for Te3n to witness the beauty of Amitabh Bachchan. He alone is reason enough!
  10. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    The film's ability to maintain the suspense right till the end makes it a must-watch for those who like whodunnits. However, a better pace could have lifted this film a notch higher.
  11. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    ...after lack of thrills and glaring loopholes like the silence of the child during the climax, TE3N is a watchable flick if you go without carrying the baggage of high expectations of a thrilling 'Kahani' post KAHAANI. It will struggle to make its space in the midst of the reigning blockbusters but those who hate crap in the name of entertainment and loyalists of Mr. Bachchan will find something for them this weekend.
  12. Gulf News

    Film review ·

    The ending, despite having a stellar cast including Sabyasachi Chakraborty, leaves you wanting for more. But as long as you manage your expectations, you will be satisfied at having seen some good actors play out their parts effectively.
  13. India Today

    Film review ·

    TE3N, however, is no Kahaani. It is at best a hotchpotch of a film that could have been so much better. Watch it though. For the brilliant acting.
  14. TheStatesman

    Film review ·

    Although quite predictable, what truly works for the movie is the fact that the climax follows a logic and reason instead of being too dramatic or not-so-believable. If you're looking for a chance to scratch your brain, TE3N might be the right choice for the weekend!
  15. Zee News

    Film review ·

    All in all, Amitabh Bachchan will leave a lasting first impression in this flick while Nawazuddin Siddiqui excels in his dual job of a Father and an Inspector. Vidya Balan will remind you to not forget her 'Kahaani' performance, just as we know a sequel is in the pipeline.
  16. CatchNews

    Film review ·

    Te3n is far more competent than the similarly themed Wazir this year, but is nowhere near as smart as it pretends to be. It holds your gaze, and sucks you into the chase, only to shy away and go home with bat and ball once you get too close. At best, the film is an honest attempt at being dishonest - a slow and middling effort, given the remarkable resources at hand.
  17. India

    Film review ·

    On paper Teen promises to be a gripping thriller that brings together these two parallel investigations into the two kidnappings but sadly does quite tie up the things together and the elements that bring about the mystery remain obfuscated throughout the tale.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

4 ratings · user score 7.5

  1. Rushabh ShahJun 2016
    9/10

    The movie is like a slow poison, slowly it takes your hold,grows on you and till climax it has completely gripped you. Story is unique, and ...its suspense thriller so i cant tell u much Coming to performances,Amitabh has ensured a long list of awards to his Kitty(Might be National award too),Nawaz and vidya dont let you down. Cinematography and Background score gets brownie points too. PS: First half is slightly slow but dont worry in interval, second half especially last 30 mins will keep you right on edge of the seat.

  2. Tejas NairJun 2016
    6/10

    Since 2013, I'm sure I have seen at least 5 films that are based on the topic of self-righteous crime where the protagonist takes law into his own hands and embarks upon a journey to make peace with a certain crime that has affected his life. Ribhu Dasgupta's middling thriller is just that, plus a little slow.<br /> <br /> John (Bachchan) is an aged, grief-stricken man whose granddaughter was kidnapped and subsequently killed by an unknown man 8 years ago. He had done all that he could to save the kid's life, including doing what he was told to do by the police, led by the unskilled detective Martin (Siddiqui). Presently, he has still not gotten over the incident and has resolved to attain justice, if not revenge. So he sets out, rather courageously and convincingly, racing back in time to decode what really happened. He seeks the help of Martin, who is now a padre at a local church after leaving police force and much more skilled at it. But more than he can help John find his granddaughter's killer, he assists Sarita (Balan), a detective who is investigating a kidnap case eerily similar to the one he handled 8 years ago...<br /> <br /> The premise is fine and is set in the enigmatic state of Kolkata. But what affects the narrative is the dull execution. John is crestfallen, yes, but the aura that encapsulates him, and for that matter, every other character in the film, is very thin, and made of clouds which make everything look they are superficial. Not to mention the slow pace of the first half. The writers have given more importance and screen time to the lead actor than what was necessary, throwing the narration partially under the bus. This makes the plot look like it is only a pillion rider without a helmet.<br /> <br /> What a man can and will do to finally attain peace during testing times is what the primary theme of the film is. Taking the law into his own hands, simultaneously teasing the law-enforcers about their incapability and callousness, is what John explicitly engages in throughout the film. There are few loopholes in the film, which also raises questions about ethics and rationalism, but that is exactly what Mr. Dasgupta wanted to raise. For that, I'll give him a firm handshake. But it's because of the tepid execution that I will restrict the engagement time of that handshake to half of what I generally would.<br /> <br /> Bachchan is terrific, but I must confess that his baritone voice can sometimes become inaudible to follow, no matter the media. Balan's is introduced as a cameo, but she has enough screen space to be a curious cop and to engage in top-layer and superfluous chemistry with Martin, whose celibacy is in question then. Supporting actors are good, especially Sabyasachi Chakrabarty.<br /> <br /> A good score and average camera work further makes the film watchable for people who love thriller mysteries. But the predictability of the plot again forces me to remind potential viewers that, overall, the film is mediocre, but better than Wazir (2016).<br /> <br /> BOTTOM LINE: Ribhu Dasgupta's Te3n is an average attempt at a crime thriller where the protagonist mocks the police and gets away with crime just because his cause is a good one. Wait for DVD, and then rent it. And then forever lapse into a reverie thinking about the meaning of the title.<br /> <br /> Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Credits

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Cast

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