The Devotion of Suspect X

I read the book "Devotion of Suspect X" before I watched the movie. The book truly was unputdownable with an ending which stayed with me for days.

Unfortunately, the movie doesn't live up to the book at all, I was expecting something crafty from Ghosh but it was as if he tried to fit in everything from the book in the movie. There were a lot more characters in the book like Yakuwo and Kudo which were as it seems amalgamated in Vijay Verma's character (Karan Anand).

The ending felt rushed with no solid explanation and Ghosh gave a new angle of "first love".

Performances were stellar and solid with Jaideep Ahlawat being the brightest star. He was so well suited for the role of the teacher and sank his teeth into the role with such ease.

Kareena did justice to her role but I felt she was trapped by the script. The scene in the beginning was a testimony to her acting abilities especially when it came to her being vulnerable and fierce at the same time. I wish Ghosh could have explored her guilt a little better.

Vijay was as usual excellent.

Jaideep Ahlawat delivers an exceptional performance, intricately portraying subtle nuances like his character's realization of Maya's (Kareena) true feelings, reflected in his expressions throughout. When Jaideep interacts with the students, it brings a delightful touch of joy. Coupled with a captivating storyline, this movie is an absolute must-watch.

Kareena blends seamlessly into her role, becoming just another face in the crowd, while Vijay's performance leaves a lasting impression. The director ensures there's no excess of songs, which is highly commendable.

This movie is a must-see if you're seeking a compelling storyline combined with powerful acting.

Impressive. Unexpected plot twists. Excellent use of colors and cast.

Portrays the intensity of one-sided love and that too from an eccentric academic. A dark experience.

Naaru brought back memories of a guy from my school days who had an equally eccentric way of expressing his feelings, just like the character in the movie. It's not about judging but noticing the resemblance.

While the movie had a strong presence, the ending left me wanting a bigger revelation. Perhaps my anticipation for more depth in this film, beyond a short-story format, influenced my slightly underwhelming experience.

To begin with, I loved the casting for this movie. All three 3 are great fit for their part but Jaideep Ahlawat just shines a bit brighter. The story begins in a mellow, small town, following the same mood but picks up straightaway. Love the mood it sets and the world it tries to create. There's a good amount of thrill, if not absolute mystery, all along the way. The story keeps building and building to the big reveal, the final act, the 'Prestige' ....BUT, the climax just lets you down. Not that it's a failed climax. No, not at all. But you're just left wanting for a more shocking moment after such a long buildup. It is perfectly believable but not what the remaining 2 hours built up to. It lacked a level of shock and awe that was expected. It's a mixed feeling. Would have given the overall film a good 8, but the climax pull it down to a 6. Still a good watch.

Now, this is the kind of film I'm sure many people like, and for a reason. Based on Keigo Higashino's novel The Devotion of Suspect X, it is directed by none other than Sujoy Ghosh, a man who sure knows his stuff, especially when it comes to directing mystery films of this sort. The story is well adapted into an Indian setting, and the choice of Kalimpong is very refreshing, providing a nice insight into the local influence of Nepali culture. Technically the film is excellent. The cinematography is very dark and dim, contributing to the atmosphere the director seeks to create. Jaane Jaan benefits from a tight script and solid pacing, and its twists and turns help the narrative. It first gave me some Drishyam (2015) vibes, as it seemed to have a similar plotline of two women dealing with a man intruding their lives and then finding a way to clamber out of the situation with the help of a sophisticated, strategic man who calculates every step and is always a few moves ahead. Sadly, towards the end, it did start to strain credulity, and considering the unusual premise of the story, I wished for an alternative, more satisfying conclusion than the one we ended up getting, which had no justification whatsoever.

Still, the film remained a captivating and engaging watch through and through, enough to make an impact even despite its rather disappointing ending. Above all, it managed to make the characters relatable and even likable, and that's why you might end up wishing for a different outcome. The three stars work well opposite one another to create a nice team. Jaideep Ahlawat infuses his part with the right amount of stoic awkwardness to successfully create a rather shady and questionable man. Film after film, Vijay Varma appears to make a name for himself as a solid actor who can always be counted on to deliver the goods. He is excellent. It's been a while since I saw Kareena do something as worthy as this film. I even felt sorry she didn't use the extraordinary opportunities available to actresses in India to promote her artistic career. And I'm so happy she picked this film. Here, she looks very much a real person - raw and authentic, and never a star. She intelligently uses her sex appeal to a quiet, more implicit effect, and even though she appears a little indifferent and conscious of the situation in some scenes, she puts in an impressive turn overall. I hope she keeps doing similar projects. Very nice film, overall.