‘Yeh Saali Aashiqui’ Movie Review: Vardhan Puri, Shivaleeka Oberoi & Cherag Ruparel’s psycho-thriller revenge drama will keep you hooked onto the end!

Directed By
Cherag Ruparel

Produced By
Rajeev Amrish Puri, Dr Meena Rajeev Puri, Dhaval Jayantilal Gada, Akshay Jayantilal Gada

Cast
Vardhan Puri, Shivaleeka Oberoi, Ruslaan Mumtaz

Bollywood Bubble Rating
3.5/5

About The Film
‘Yeh Saali Aashiqui’ is a psycho-thriller revenge drama which leers a lot on a female bashing plot. The film is about the life of two college buddies, Vardhan Puri and Shivaleeka Oberoi. From how they fall in love, to how everything they did for each other had a hidden agenda, to them becoming bloodthirsty for each other 3 years after college, forms pretty much the plot of the story. With numerous twists and turns along the way, this film harps on the travails of these two individuals. Will they ever be able to sort out their differences? Or will they end up falling in love? Or is there much more than meets the eye? Well, you’ll have to watch the movie to know the same.

What’s Hot
The two newbies in the block – Vardhan Puri and Shivaleeka Oberoi – you two have put in your heart and soul to the film. Your performance should be a template for people wanting to make a debut in Bollywood. You guys may have had minimal resources and a shoe-string budget, but it is both your performances which lift this film all through. If things go well, you both are set to have a long career ahead.

Cherag Ruparel, my man! Being a first time director is already a tough enough task, and you managed to bring out such an intriguing canvas, which is not only believable but also relatable in the truest sense of the word. The way you have played with the lead characters and the varied twists and turns in the movie made me sit on the edge of my sets wondering what more is going to come next. If you keep giving such fantastic plot twists, you my friend, are sure to be among the top of the directors within the next decade.

The screenplay of the film, written by Cherag and Vardhan together, is another masterpiece. Your story, script and screenplay make me once again believe in the fact that if a story is good and presented well, it will surely find praise, irrespective of the budget of the film or the presence of big stars in it. Kudos to both of you for bringing back the sense of trust towards good writing!

The music of the film by Hitesh Modak with lyrics penned by Tanveer Ghazi is worth a mention. Even though there isn’t too much of a necessity for songs in a psycho-thriller revenge drama, songs like ‘Hawa Banke’, ‘Sanki’ and ‘Bewaqoofi’ stick on with you even after you leave the theatres

What’s Not
The minimal budget of the film shows in pretty much every second frame. Had there been any bigger star doing this movie, there would have been a lot much more money coming in, making this a much more thrilling experience. Sadly, the shoe-string budget of the film shows in the location of the scenes to way scenes are shot. Despite that, it was a great effort by the team.

There may be a certain portion of the audience which might end up calling this movie a female bashing enterprise. We have seen the same happening with films like ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’, ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2’, ‘Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety’, ‘Kabir Singh’ and many others. This too could end up falling in that bracket, which might be detrimental for the success of the movie.

Harping slightly on the acting, Vardhan Puri, your beard at places looks pretty fake. You do make it up by giving a stellar performance, but you could’ve gotten a better-bearded look.

Ruslaan Mumtaz is a total waste of talent in the film as he gets the least of the screen space. It’s not something that he has done a wow job in that, and you will be gasping to see more of him. But yes, he could’ve chosen a better role for himself.

Verdict
Shivaleeka Oberoi and Vardhan Puri prove that they’re not just pretty faces or products of nepotism. Cherag Ruparel is destined for great things to come ahead. For these 3 and the brilliant twists and turns in the plot, I am going with  3.5 stars. Had there been more budget, I am sure this rating would have gone a couple of notches higher.

Box-Office
Considering the movie has newcomers, it will not get that initial pump at the ticket windows which a big starrer would get. However, the film’s trailer has been tremendously well-received. Considering the good word-of-mouth for the film, it could actually end up pulling in the crowds to the theatres over the weekend. To add to it, there aren’t any big releases over this Friday, which could also help the fate of this film. ‘Yeh Saali Aashiqui’ would be one of those films which get great reviews, but doesn’t end up turning them into huge box-office figures. Probably with films doing great on digital, this film might end up earning its worth.

Watch Trailer

Also Read: ‘Commando 3’ Movie Review: Gulshan Devaiah’s villainous avatar outshines Vidyut Jammwal’s patriotic act in this predictable action thriller

Prateek Sur

Born a Movie Buff, working as a Film Critique and enjoying life as a Bollywood Reporter.

Email: editor@bollywoodbubble.com Phone: +91 8355910465