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The Ghazi Attack backdrop

The Ghazi Attack

17 February 2017HindiorigTelugu2h 6m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 22 scored reviews · 2 not rated

A lean submarine thriller that surfaces more for spirit than craft.

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

  • Praised: restrained approach to war genre
  • Criticised: weak visual effects and writing

Audience

User score 6.0 out of 10 from 5 ratings, Mixed
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 24 critics are saying

The Ghazi Attack receives a broadly positive but mixed reception, with most critics appreciating its restrained, no-frills approach to the war genre — notably its absence of romantic subplots, songs, and melodramatic backstories that typically characterize Indian war films. Performances from the lead cast and the claustrophobic submarine setting are frequently cited as strengths, and several critics note the novelty of India's first underwater war film. Common criticisms include weak or unconvincing visual effects and special effects, inconsistent writing, and the poorly integrated subplot involving Taapsee Pannu's character, which multiple reviewers flagged as unnecessary and unexplained. A minority of critics found the film's heavy patriotic tone and uneven storytelling to be significant drawbacks.

How the 22 scores spread

2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

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

AI-generated summary of 24 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (24)

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

  1. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    The film delivers many a riveting moment and is bolstered by the talent of a few capable actors. Its plot however, is devoid of any mystery...
  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Rana Daggubati and Kay Kay Menon film could have been an engrossing crisis-at-sea drama but the film is so busy slaying Pakistanis that it loses sight of its core strengths.
  3. Fully Hyderabad

    Film review ·

    ...the good news is that we left the hall with one single happy thought - the film works.
  4. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Really, an engaging piece of cinema. But what was Taapsee Pannu – as an East Pakistani refugee rescued by Varma from the high seas -- doing in the movie? Totally wasted after her performance in Pink. The rather poor dubbing is another minus point. But on the whole Ghazi is gripping.
  5. India Today

    Film review ·

    Stripped of all the saturated fats that we associate with Indian war films (courtesy JP Dutta) such as sentimental backstories of soldiers, romantic subplots that only serve to bore and unrealistic heroism, The Ghazi Attack, helmed by first-time filmmaker Sankalp Reddy, deserves kudos for its smart, smart filmmaking.
  6. Rediff

    Film review ·

    The Ghazi Attack is a riveting telling of a war story and absence of any unwanted distraction is only justified, though one is literally at sea trying to make sense of Tapsee Pannu's -- yes she is a East Pakistani refugee onboard a merchant vessel that is sunk by the Pakistani submarine -- presence in this war film. Nevertheless, if you love watching a war movie, that too about a mission that is mired under the weight of being 'classified' and under the sea, the truth about which can surface only exploring the depth of the sea bed, then The Ghazi Attack is a must watch film.
  7. Sify

    Film review ·

    A brilliant film...Three rousing cheers to producer PVP Cinemas for pumping in so much money, effort and technical expertise into this movie.
  8. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    If you want to see an inspiring story into which great effort has been put in to make it as real as possible, The Ghazi Attack is definitely for you. Also, there's Kay Kay Menon.
  9. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    THE GHAZI ATTACK is a rare phenomenon on Indian screen. We don't have much war epics and further its shows underwater submarine combats and most important in today's Bollywood days - this ode to Mother India doesn't feature the current poster boy of patriotism Akshay Kumar and still its satisfyingly entertaining cinema that rings the right bells on our macho patriotisms meter.
  10. India Glitz

    Film review ·

    'The Ghazi Attack' is a meticulous attempt with some great performances by the lead actors. Such movies are different and deserves to be seen and should be supported for the betterment of our film industry.
  11. Filmfare

    Film review ·

    This taut thriller has a no nonsense approach. There are no songs, masala twists and over the top action. This is a good clean thriller that makes good with history and the naval setting.
  12. FilmiBeat

    Film review ·

    If you ain't in the mood for some lovey-dovey watch, then 'The Ghazi Attack' is a perfect pick for you to turn back the pages of the Indian history and revisit a gripping tale of unsung heroes who risked their lives to rescue the tricolor!
  13. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    The Ghazi Attack has a riveting story and good performances from its lead cast. It lacks perfection in terms of its visual appeal.
  14. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    Yup, you don't take your eyes off the screen. The production design appears exceptional, because it's unexpected. We don't make such movies in India, even while we've been watching such from the West since forever.
  15. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    While the visuals and special effects lack finesse, the film compensates for it with its riveting story. The second half keeps you on the edge of your seat as the submarines go head-to-head, firing torpedoes while dodging and defending themselves. Despite the hitches, this underwater thriller is worth a watch. It leaves you in awe of the soldiers, who lay their lives for their country.
  16. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    The Ghazi Attack is an interesting choice for this weekend unless you aren't willing to watch a patriotic film which the makers haven't projected it as at all. But don't expect the chills you get after seeing films like Border, Chak De India, Rang De Basanti or Dangal. Watch it for its performances and technicalities.
  17. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Watch it once. More so, if you haven't watched the likes of Hollywood films Crimson Tide or U-571. Watch this one for Rana and some great underwater action sequences.
  18. FridayMoviez

    Film review ·

    ...it's been long since we have had a war film and what's better is that debutante director Sankalp Reddy's 'The Ghazi Attack' is a complete underwater affair, in fact its India's first underwater war film. So go watch it.
  19. Wogma

    Film review ·

    The film alternates between the murky blue, deep sea and the cringy, clanky, claustrophobic insides of a submarine without any respite. This makes the film stand out from the usual Hindi films and helps it stay true to what it wants to be – an uncomfortable, edgy watch. If only, the consistency in tone had stuck through the other departments of the film – especially the writing.
  20. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    It's a fictionalized account of a brave unsung Indian submarine that downs the Pakistani super submarine that has better capabilities and a supposed most decorated Captain. Shoddily made, with terrible special effects and worse physics, you will be bombarded with melodrama and patriotism that will make you upchuck. Completely avoidable.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

5 ratings · user score 6.0

  1. 6/10

    Ever since partition, our nation have constantly seen unrest at its borders as Pakistan never lost an opportunity to needle us. This has led to four fledged battles with them in 1947, 1965, 1971 & 1999; & even though we faced serious casualties, our brave soldiers ensured that we could still feel safe within our country. The war of 1971 was unique in the sense that it wasn't fought over the Kashmir issue but due to the differences between East & West Pakistan, which eventually led to the formation of Bangladesh. One of the contributing factors for India being part of that war was the sinking of Pakistani submarine, PNS Ghazi off the east coast by INS Rajput. So this week we have Sankalp Reddy's "The Ghazi Attack" hitting the screens which is inspired from that event & hopefully it will be able to give us a gripping account as to what must have happened on that day. The year is 1971 & India was keeping a close watch on Pakistan who was flexing their muscles on its brothers in East Pakistan, who was fighting for liberation. In order to send supplies to its forces, Pakistan decides to use the sea route but in order to do so they had to negate the threat posted by INS Vikrant. The task is entrusted to Commander Razaq (Rahul Singh) & his crew of PNS Ghazi. Indian Intelligence gets wind of it & the Eastern Naval Command at Vishakhapatnam assign S21 under the leadership of Captain Rannvijay Singh to patrol the region. As Rannvijay is known for his impulsive, hot headed nature, Lt Commander Arjun Varma (Rana Daggubati) is also accorded equal responsibilities to ensure orders are followed as per the book. This naturally causes sparks to fly between the two as Executive Officer, Devraj (Atul Kulkarni) plays peace broker. In due time, S21 locates Ghazi but how they went about their task with two contrast characters at the helm forms the crux of the movie. Scripted & directed by debutant Sankalp Reddy, "The Ghazi Attack" is the first submarine war movie that has been made in our country. With regard to the story, it was mentioned in the credits itself that it is a fictional creation of an incident that has been shrouded by mystery. Whatever might be the case, the story is brilliantly conveyed & executed as well. The tension is palpable & provides an edge of the seat experience for the audience in majority of the sequences in the second half. Though I found the patriotic fervour a bit too overpowering & artificial in the end, it had all the other emotions in apt measure & the director made sure that he didnt squeeze in any romantic angle or song-dance sequence into the proceedings. The interiors of the submarine were well depicted but the special effects & Madhi's visuals could have been better. Rana Daggubati has acted in a mature & restrained manner which was apt for the character. Kay Kay Menon was excellent as the impulsive Captain who didnt care a shit about orders. Atul Kulkarni also deserves praise for a convincing performance while the rest of the cast seemed adequate. The reason for including Taapsee defies logic as she had nothing to do apart from look shell shocked in the doorways. Verdict: Having seen movies like "Crimson Tide", "K21", etc, this one would feel amateurish at times, but it is absolutely unfair to make such a comparison due to the disparity in production costs. However, on saying that Sankalp succeeds in making a movie which is both engrossing & interesting. It might not take the box-office by storm but it's definitely worth checking out. In short, dont miss it!!! Rating: 3/5 Regards...Ben

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