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Zed Plus backdrop
28 November 2014Hindi141 min

Zed Plus

5.818 reviews
CriticsMixed

Bayesian avg · 18 critic reviews

7.5+ Exceptional · 6.5 Recommended · 5.0 Mixed

7.03 ratings
Users

User Score · avg of 3 ratings

8.0+ Exceptional · 7.0 Recommended · 5.5 Mixed

Zed Plus is a story set in contemporary India in a small town of Rajasthan. A coalition Government, troubled by corruption and communalism, is on the verge of collapsing due to fights within the coalition partners. All the ministers are making efforts to save the Government, but still it appears that the Government will fall.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Zed Plus is mixed-to-moderately positive, with most reviewers appreciating its satirical intent, earthy authenticity, and grounded performances. Several critics highlighted the film's integrity, subtle socio-political commentary, and earthy dialogue rooted in a believable rural milieu. Common criticisms center on inconsistent storytelling, lack of narrative logic at key points, and a tendency toward heavy-handed, obvious comedy that reduces characters to caricatures. A recurring concern is the film's limited commercial appeal and its failure to fully deliver on the promise of its talented director.

18 reviews · 8 positive · 3 mixed · 1 negative

Praised: satirical intent and performancesCriticised: inconsistent, obvious storytelling

AI-generated summary of 18 critic reviews · may contain errors

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Critic Reviews (18)

Shubhra GuptaTop Critic· Indian Express
4.0
"Zed Plus turns out to be a mildly engaging but overall patchy attempt at political satire from the man who gave us the memorable Doordarshan serial Chanakya. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi still has the touch, but is not consistent, and a lot of the story-telling gets drowned in obviousness."
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Subhash K Jha· SKJBollywoodNews
8.0
"You may not agree with the cheeky politics of Zed Plus. But you can't deny its integrity warmth and humour."
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8.0
"Zed Plus is one of the films that is difficult to review. You would not want to say too much, and you would not like to say too little. It is a film that makes you laugh, makes you think and the leaves you with a smile. It is one of the better satires that have come out from Bollywood. If you are sharp enough to get the subtle hints you would enjoy it more so. Watch it!"
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IANS· Bollywood Life
8.0
"Zed Plus is that precious work of art where every actor and technician gets into the correct mood without caring about who's watching.Tongue wedged firmly in cheek, Chandraprakash Dwivedi delivers a trenchant and ticklish comment on present-day politics where individuals get sucked into exploitative politics more by will than force."
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Martin D'Souza· Glamsham
7.0
"ZED PLUS is a must-watch....without trying too hard Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi, of 'Chanakya' and PINJAR fame, belts out a classic without straining his, or any of his actors' vocal chords."
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6.0
"It's worth a watch for the intent, the unique story, powerhouse performances and bits of genuine humour. After all, who doesn't like a biting parody, even if you wish it were sharper."
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Sukanya Verma· Rediff
6.0
"Zed Plus may not be perfect but it doesn't insult your intelligence like most Friday fare."
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IndiaTvNews Reviewer· IndiaTvNews
6.0
"Cleverly written screenplay, brilliant dialogues and wise performance, Zed Plus rolls in all into a good film, which despite being different from reality is relevant to the political and social system of the country."
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Rahul Desai· Mumbai Mirror
6.0
"After the admirable Dekh Tamasha Dekh, Zed Plus - directed by Dr CP Dwivedi (Chanakya, Pinjar)-is another largely uncompromised and well-crafted example this year. What works in its favour is the primary thread of an ordinary man in an extraordinary situation."
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IndiaGlitz· India Glitz
5.0
"Zed Plus isn't a bad film and it's a light hearted move over the off repeated b-town regular potboilers but we expected some depth and cinematic statement from the talented Chandra Prakash Dwivedi's comeback after the brilliant 'Pinjar'."
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Shaheen Parkar· Mid Day
5.0
"The film does manage to raise chuckles and has its moments, but the deliberate exaggeration for repeated comic effect ends up making the assorted characters into caricatures. Things are in-your-face and nothing is left to the audience's imagination."
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Reagan Gavin Rasquinha· Times Of India
3.0
"The subject matter could have been interesting but it is mired in tedious, very boring, rural and regional cliches that audiences have already seen, so many times."
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Devesh Sharma· Filmfare
"You are in for a treat if you forgive the rather silly premise. Writers Ramkumar Singh and Chandra Prakash Dwivedi have created a vivid picture of a vibrant village society, where everyone knows each other inside out. The film was shot entirely on location in Mandawa, a heritage village near Jaipur and hence the milieu feels authentic. The look of the actors too is real and not the uber villager get up that we see in big budget masala entertainers. The dialogue hit home with their earthy humour. It was nice to hear idioms after a long, long time in films."
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Johnson Thomas· The Free Press Journal
"'Zed Plus' is a highly engaging attempt at socio-political satire with humour laden benefits all along the route. The script has its sublime moments. Unfortunately the plotting is not altogether believable."
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Shomini Sen· IBNLive
"The film isn't bad, it is definitely not unwatchable- but with actors like Adil Hussain, KK Raina playing key roles, one hoped to be awestruck or overwhelmed. Sadly, 'Zed Plus' doesn't leave you with any such feeling."
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Komal Nahta· Komal Nahta's Blog
"On the whole, Zed Plus is a political satire which is well-made and which has some truly fine performances but as far as its commercial prospects are concerned, they are almost nil because the film will find appreciation among a very thin minority, referred to as the high gentry audience in a handful of big cities only."
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Anupriya Kumar· Reuters
""Zed Plus" isn't a frighteningly boring or stupid movie; it has its moments and most actors manage to effectively carry their roles. But the film is marred by a conspicuous absence of logic at crucial points. It remains, till the end, just marginally more engaging than your average Bollywood flick."
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Anuj Kumar· The Hindu
"Cut from the same cloth from which films like Well Done Abba and Welcome To Sajjanpur were stitched, Zed Plus warms the cockles of the heart with its simplicity and integrity, ingredients that are fast disappearing from our cinescape. Far from the gloss and fakery of larger-than-life stories which rely on flying kicks and superheroes living next door, director Chandraprakash Diwvedi creates a scenario rooted in socio-political reality and gives it a satirical treatment."
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Cast & Crew

Cast

Details

Release Date
28 November 2014
Runtime
141 min
Language
Hindi
Genre
Drama

User Ratings & Reviews

Users7.03 ratings

3 ratings from the community

Community Reviews (1)

RONov 2014

I personally feel Zed Plus is a classic, breezy, rib-tickling & meaningful Political satire that has come like a whiff of fresh air amidst the superficial potboilers that we are being subjected to watch these days and is a must watch for all real Cine-Maa lovers. If you have a penchant for good cinema and brilliantly made Political Satires, don't even dare to miss this one. This one is bound to bring smiles to your faces.

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