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Movie Review: Hindi Film Berlin streaming on Zee5!!

Berlin is an espionage thriller, set in 1993 , a few days prior to the visit of the Russian president to India, a deaf- mute person Ashok (Ishwaq Singh) is arrested for being a spy. He is the only person who might have a clue to an assassination plot that threatens to derail the entire fabric of Indian politics.

Pushkin ( Aparshakti Khurana), a sign language expert is brought in by the Bureau chief Sondhi ( Rahul Bose) to interrogate Ashok . As the interrogation proceeds , the thin line between guilt & innocence blurs. Things are not what they seem and there is something sinister brewing in the backdrop !!

A mind bender in the true sense . A gripping faceoff between Aparshakti & Ishwaq is the highlight as both try to get an upper hand in the interrogation!! The effort put in by the lead characters, especially their proficiency in sign language shows, as they breeze through the interrogation like 2 specially abled persons talking effortlessly ! Impressive indeed 👍 🙂!

Another aspect showcased brilliantly is the intense rivalry between 2 top security agencies in India , the Bureau & Wing , their disjointed way of working and reluctance to collaborate for the greater good of the country!! Sad State of affairs indeed !!

And finally, how is the name Berlin relevant in the context of the narrative ??

The climax too is out of the world that will blow you away!!

If you're a fan of edge of the seat thrillers, this Aparshakti Khurana, Ishwaq Singh, Rahul Bose starter is definitely recommended!!

Going with 3.5/5 for this one.. Adios 🙂!!

#sanjuzzreviews #berlinfilm #ZEE5 #AparshaktiKhurana #RahulBose #ishwaqsingh #moviereview #filmreview.

BERLIN is a very slow,dull & dreary movie with competent performances by almost everyone except the main accused Ishwak Singh and Rahul Bose,with both giving very good and restrained performances. Aparshakti gave an above average performance with no one being particularly brilliant. Although the film at 2hrs 4minutes was not long as regular Hindi movies,it should have been trimmed about 15 mins more.

Although it had a fairly decent script its biggest drawback was its very very slow pace. If the pace was a bit faster and the movie could have been edited a bit more tightly and crisply it would have been a much better film.

6/10.

I had my reservations about watching the film due to its mood and Aparshakti leading the cast. I'm glad to have been proven wrong, at least in terms of the former.

In 1993, after the end of the Cold War, a deaf and mute person is arrested on suspicion of being a spy. A sign language expert is brought in to interrogate him, only to discover that there are more lies than truths.

The story is based on Sabharwal's short story, The Decipherer. Right from the start, you're thrown into a world full of questions, even before the premise is set. Hold your horses-by the time the credits roll, you'll have all your answers and feel heavy with the weight of the truth. Atul Sabharwal manages to maintain the thrill while keeping the story engaging.

Aparshakti Khurana plays the most important role, but I feel he was the weakest among the cast. He has a similar acting style in every movie, regardless of the character. His emotional scenes are jarring, with an odd tendency to widen his eyes. Rahul Bose, on the other hand, nails his part, and it was a pleasure to watch him after such a long time. The surprise package, Ishwak Singh, was natural in his role, delivering a solid performance.

At many points in the movie, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat or biting your nails-a true sign of a well-executed thriller. The dark mood fits the narrative perfectly, and the accurate depiction of sign language adds to the film's authenticity.

If you have a taste for serious drama with a thriller edge, you'll definitely find this film interesting.

#pranureviews #Berlin #BerlinReview"

Can you have a slow moving thriller? Yes you can and this is a perfect example. Granted that this is a spy story set in early 90s Delhi and a major part of the movie consists of interrogation of a deaf mute by a sign language expert, the pace could have been made faster. A sluggish portion of around 30 minutes could have been easily clipped off resulting in the creation of a 90 minutes long taut and riveting thriller.

Despite this shortcoming all credit is due to director Atul Sabharwal for realistically presenting the environment of a questioning in progress in a claustrophobic room and the dark interiors all this amidst the ongoing intrigue filled action. Even the shrill ringing of the archaic telephone is made to sound ominous and sinister. The question and answer in sign language is far too extensively picturised and becomes monotonous after some time. The old world charm of the 90s including the buses, Fiat cars, cradle telephones, tape recorders etc has been brought out well. (The setting and picturisation resembles the work of Martin Scorsese at places.) The series of complex events and the subplots at one point become boring to pursue and correlate. In the acting department Aparshakti Khurana and Rahul Bose have done fairly well though I felt that they were unnecessarily wooden. There are also a few inaccuracies which have become glaring.

The world of espionage and hidden agendas takes center stage in Atul Sabharwal's 'Berlin,' a gripping tale that whisks viewers back to the politically charged atmosphere of 1993 New Delhi. With a captivating premise and a unique narrative twist, this film is a thrilling ride through the intricate dance of truth and deception.

Set against the backdrop of a historic diplomatic visit, the story begins with a heart-pounding arrest. A deaf-mute man is taken into custody by the Bureau, accused of being a Russian spy. The tension ramps up as an unlikely duo takes the spotlight: a seasoned interrogator and a sign language interpreter who becomes the bridge between the accused and his interrogators. As the film unravels, it delves into the complexities of communication, trust, and the murky ethics of espionage.

'Berlin' excels in creating an atmosphere thick with suspense, where every glance and gesture becomes a potential clue. The absence of dialogue between the accused and his interrogators adds an intriguing layer of complexity. The audience is drawn into a game of interpretation, questioning the reliability of non-verbal cues and the authenticity of intentions. This unique dynamic keeps the narrative fresh and unpredictable.

Atul Sabharwal's direction is meticulous, showcasing a keen eye for detail. The film's pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension to simmer and build as the mystery deepens. The performances are a standout, with the actors delivering nuanced portrayals. T

The script cleverly explores the challenges of communication, not only between languages but also between individuals with conflicting agendas. The interrogation scenes are intense and thought-provoking, leaving viewers questioning the nature of truth and the consequences of miscommunication. As the plot twists and turns, the line between hero and villain becomes increasingly blurred, adding a moral complexity that elevates the film beyond a typical spy thriller.

While the film's strength lies in its suspense and character development, some viewers might crave a more action-packed experience, as the focus remains firmly on the psychological aspects. The absence of high-octane set pieces, however, allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' motivations and the intricate web of international politics.

The production design and cinematography deserve praise for authentically recreating the era, from the gritty backstreets to the bureaucratic offices, enhancing the sense of realism. The use of sign language as a central narrative device is both innovative and challenging, demanding the audience's full attention.

In conclusion, 'Berlin' is a captivating spy thriller that offers more than just edge-of-your-seat suspense. It delves into the intricacies of human interaction, the power of language, and the moral dilemmas inherent in the shadowy world of espionage.

"Berlin" is a special film in Bollywood's context. Rarely are films made this perfectly. An edge-of-the-seat spy thriller, it stands out because it isn't the typical action-packed spectacle. Instead, it offers a more grounded and realistic portrayal of espionage, where the tension comes from intense interrogations rather than over-the-top stunts. "Berlin" beautifully captures that gritty, psychological battle that plays out in the world of spies.

The casting is flawless. Aparshakti Khurana delivers a career-defining performance, showcasing his versatility like never before. Rahul Bose, a seasoned actor, brings gravitas to his role, while Ishwak Singh and Kabir Bedi add depth and complexity to the narrative. Anupriya Goenka's presence, though understated, is powerful and impactful.

Beyond the performances, the film's production design is impeccable. Every set, every location feels meticulously crafted, immersing the audience in a world of shadows, secrets, and suspense. The script, too, is tight and engaging, with dialogues that reveal just enough to keep you hooked without giving away too much.

In a time when Bollywood is often criticized for formulaic storytelling, "Berlin" is a breath of fresh air. It's smart, intense, and beautifully crafted-a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

A very interesting thriller with very unusual cinematic treatment. On the backdrop of a spy story, this delves deeper into human pysche and politics within intelligence department.

The direction is such that it does not reveal clearly what is the motive. What starts as a story about unveiling an assassination attempt on Russian President's visit in India actually turns out to be an internal political slugfest. Director Atul Sabharwal is at his best when it comes to working on a story heavy on political state-of-affairs. However, its not your regular suspense-thriller plot. Forget being a who-dun-it or even a why-dun-it, for a very long part in the film, the audience keeps wondering what-is-happening. Until the entire mystery unveils layer by layer in the penultimate moments. Even here, there isn't easy spoonfeeding of information and the audience has to be discerning enough to grasp the overall narrative. Thereby the treatment is not like a regular thriller but the director wants you to learn things on your own. Thankfully amidst this, the storytelling does not turn abstract though it has its moments of ambiguity.

Performances are a mainstay with Aparshakti Khurana, Ishwak Singh and Rahul does in absolute form. The slow burn pacing can be overlooked thanks to the speed up facility in Zee5 OTT app.

One of the best thrillers to come out recently. The story is quite engaging and at par with Hollywood movies . The movie is not for ones seeking acton but for those who enjoy a good story build-up. The story is engaging from the start and does not take time to delve into the main plot .

The climax comes with a twist that is almost non existent in Bollywood.

The cinematography depicting the Delhi of the 90's is quite beautifully done.

The acting is commendable especially for Iswak Singh, whose facial expressions convey his emotions aptly

The story stays on with you even after you have finished the movie.

Give this move a chance and you will not regret it.

Berlin team tried to setup vintage story with suspense..but second half was pathetic and climax was utter failure. Giving 4 stars just to actors for there performances ..but story wise later part of the movie was disaster. Director and writer needs to improve their skills. Started with proper build up but slowly it started going towards poor story ..no suspense on spy related movie , one of the worst climax I have seen in worldwide spy movies including all languages. Typical bollywood angle added in between which spoiled the whole context of story. Even the slow movies around the globe are full of suspense and catchy stories which force us to use brains.. this was brainless.. common guys improve yourself you are lagging lot behind around the world( for movie makers,).

I don't think i have ever seen a film like this come out of Indian Cinema before. It's a one of a kind film and a film which i am immensely proud to call it a part of Indian Cinema. This is a Beautifully Crafted Story which is so much more than just your typical spy film. Atul Sabharwal's direction shines through every shot, every scene of this film. The screenplay engages you and doesn't let you loose for even a second. The cinematography enhances the tension we sense in a scene, the choice of shots specially the dual focused shot is placed so wonderfully and at the most crucial moments that it elevates the already masterfully crafted scenes. Rahul Bose, Ishwak Singh and Aparshakti Khurana gave spectacular performances expressing every little and high emotion through the intensity in their eyes. I wish more people see this film and appreciate for what a Spectacularly made film it is.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

BERLIN.

Berlin (2023) sets out to be an intense thriller, but unfortunately, it falls flat, especially when it comes to the suspense that the movie promises. The buildup of tension is decent in parts, with intriguing twists, compelling characters, and an eerie atmosphere. However, as the movie progresses, it becomes apparent that all the mystery and suspense is leading to a hollow,

The final reveal felt uninspired, making the entire suspenseful journey seem worthless. What could have been a nail-biting ending fizzles out into a predictable and mundane resolution. Instead of a shocking twist, I was left feeling frustrated, as if all that careful buildup was for nothing.

While the cinematography and performances were commendable, they couldn't save the plot from crumbling under the weight of its own ambition. In the end, Berlin left me wishing I had invested my time elsewhere.

Brilliantly made Rahul Bose is fantastic.

Berlin" is a captivating blend of thriller and drama, showcasing masterful storytelling and a talented cast. It's a must-watch for fans of edge-of-your-seat cinema, offering both entertainment and thought-provoking themes direction is sharp, balancing tension with moments of introspection that delve into the psyche of the characters. The screenplay is tightly woven, maintaining a brisk pace that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The dialogues are crisp, enhancing the narrative's intensity.

A must watch movie for all drama movie fans. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes, utilizing innovative effects and creative choreography to enhance its multiverse concept. The editing is brisk yet purposeful, maintaining a frantic pace that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The score, punctuated by eclectic music choices, perfectly complements the film's erratic energy.

"A Character-Driven Spy Story" Unlike many spy thrillers that focus on elaborate plots, Berlin is deeply character-driven. The film allows the audience to get inside the heads of its main characters, exploring their motivations, fears, and desires. This makes the stakes feel much higher because the viewer is emotionally invested in their outcomes. The performances are nuanced and deeply human, offering a fresh take on the archetypal spy character. This is a film for those who appreciate strong character development as much as a well-crafted plot.

Twists, turns, and spies - keeps you on edge!!!

The story is weak, there are loose ends all over the story. Most of the time it is confusing on what is happening in the movie.

Aparshakti Khurana is a good actor and has performed well. The Ashok character could have done better. Good to see Rahul Bose after a long time. Anupriya Goenka had a very small part to play and with her acting skills, I wished she had more part and dialogues.

The story could have been great and the thrill is next to none. The entire plot of the story revolves around the assassination of the Russian President but it hardly has any action. Even the interrogation scenes lack structure.

The movie is a gripping political thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The film's intricate plot, set against the backdrop of 1970s espionage in divided Berlin, delivers suspense, intrigue, and emotional depth. Stellar performances, particularly by its lead actors, bring the complex characters to life, while the atmospheric cinematography captures the tension of Cold War-era Berlin beautifully. The film's pacing is tight, with unexpected twists that leave a lasting impression. Director Atul Sabharwal skillfully balances historical authenticity with thrilling storytelling, making Berlin a must-watch for fans of smart, high-stakes dramas.

This story actually resembles a spy thriller without the traditional potboiler and the fuss. Berlin revolves around the story of the two premier intelligence agencies in India who, instead of competing against the foreign enemy, compete against each other to gain brownie points.

The plot of this movie slowly unfolds, and when it actually unfolds, I bet you will be in awe of the storytelling technique. Lots of breadcrumbs have been intentionally left to give you the wow factor that you get when confronted with a fact hidden in plain sight. I recommend this movie for the pure joy you get when a mystery is unfolded and the mystery is about your country.

"Berlin" is a standout Bollywood film, offering a grounded and realistic take on espionage. Unlike typical action-packed thrillers, its tension comes from gripping interrogations and psychological battles. Aparshakti Khurana shines with a career-defining performance, supported by the brilliant Rahul Bose, Ishwak Singh, and Kabir Bedi. Anupriya Goenka's understated role is quietly powerful.

The film's production design is impeccable, with every set and location adding to the suspense. The tight script and sharp dialogues keep you hooked from start to finish. In a world of formulaic stories, "Berlin" is a fresh, smart, and unforgettable experience.

"Berlin," starring Rahul Bose and Aparshakti Khurana, is a disappointment in almost every aspect. The movie lacks any real thrill or suspense, which is essential for a film of this genre. The story drags on at an excruciatingly slow pace, making it hard to stay engaged. Despite the talented cast, both Rahul and Aparshakti seem underutilized, their performances overshadowed by a poorly written script and weak execution.

The plot feels uninspired and offers no real depth or excitement, which makes it incredibly boring to sit through. Even the moments that seem intended to build tension fall flat due to the lack of direction. Overall, "Berlin" fails to deliver on its promise, leaving viewers underwhelmed and wishing for a more gripping experience.

While Berlin is set in the past, its themes of political division and surveillance feel incredibly relevant today. The film explores how governments manipulate information and control their citizens, drawing clear parallels to modern issues of privacy and state power. This gives the film a sense of urgency and importance, making it more than just a period piece. Berlin successfully uses its historical setting to comment on contemporary issues, adding another layer of meaning to an already complex narrative.

These ten reviews offer varied perspectives on Berlin, exploring its thematic richness, emotional depth, visual impact, and its place within the spy and historical drama genres. Each review touches on different aspects to give potential viewers a well-rounded sense of what makes the film worth watching.

Set in the cold, foggy streets of 1993 Delhi, Berlin on Zee5 brings a touch of nostalgia with its portrayal of Connaught Circle from another era. Ishwak Singh shines as Ashok, a deaf-mute orphan, entangled in a high-stakes spy game, while Aparshakti Khurana plays a schoolteacher helping to bridge the communication gap between Ashok and the spy agency. Rahul Bose, a reliable performer, adds weight to the cast, but even with such strong talent, the movie falters in delivering the tension expected from a spy thriller.

The makers have worked hard to recreate the feel of old Delhi, with small details giving viewers of a certain age moments of nostalgia. While Ishwak Singh looks effortlessly charming and cute in some frames, his performance, along with others, can't quite rescue the film from its slow pacing. The movie is tagged as a spy thriller, but instead of edge-of-the-seat excitement, it unravels at a leisurely pace, often testing the audience's patience.

Clocking in at 124 minutes, the story delves into the dark, gritty side of the espionage world but fails to keep up the energy throughout. It has moments where the tension builds, but those are few and far between. The emotional depth of the characters is there, yet the overall execution leaves much to be desired. Fans of intense, fast-paced spy movies might find themselves disappointed as the film doesn't match the thrilling pace expected of its genre.

With a storyline that promises more than it delivers, Berlin does succeed in showing the less glamorous, grim side of the spy business. But for many viewers, the slow build-up and somewhat weak narrative might make the journey feel longer than it is. Though the film has its moments, it doesn't quite rise to the expectations of a gripping spy thriller.

For me, it's a 3.5-star experience.

I think this movie is a cult classic, what a story, what a direction, screenplay, dialogues, acting, etc etc, none of the aspects has unturned, I love it and everyone should see such Classics. I think words won't justify this. I'm a Rahul Bose critic, but he is an amazing actor. No words for Ishwak, he is the show stealer, lastly Aparshakti can be seen his life's best performance. I feel it's an underrated film but it's a muat watch of you are a true movie lover and Quality choice, then it's for you. Highly recommend. This could be a coach for the nurturing actor, director total package. I'm waiting for next classic from this director.

A Zee5 original Berlin movie starring Ishwar Singh, Aparshakti Khurana, and Rahul Bose under the direction of Atul Sabharwal is a must-watch one. The dizzily crafted background, suspenseful music, interesting concept, smooth storyline, alluring acting, and the beautifully delivered theme erasing the fine line separating the notions of guilt, innocence, patriotism, crony individualism, sacrificial attitudes and humanist mirages.

The story was effectively successful in bestowing its mere surprises in its best run possible, making the viewer stick to their seats throughout the 2-hour (approx.) movie. The astonishingly engulfing and living character played by Ishwar Singh, accompanied by Aparshakti, sincerely in the allotted shoe.

The theme of very tinkling selfish acts of our government officials is best to be one of the best ever portrayals of these times, along with the loud message of even these prestigiously 'respected patriotic' agencies and their officials working for, by, and to their interest and reputation only. It is good to see that this film attempts to question the very glorified image of these 'BABUS/AGENTS' in public minds.

Apart from the climax scene of Aparshakti out of his burst of frustration yelling at Rahul scene, I am unable to find a bit of improvement as such and sincerely going to recommend all to watch it for once. Your time and resources will find a suitable place to invest in.

The existing trend in Indian cinema is to dramatize and sensationalize an incident fictitious or real that took place decades ago. There is nothing wrong in this, But such experiment requires skill as it needs to recreate the past in a convincing manner so that the impression never becomes that viewers are watching something which has no relevance in the present comntext. Today's sensation is Crime Thrillers. But Crime Thrillers Films and Web Series drastically seem failing as this miss important point. The tone of crime and killing ultimately strings a tragic tune. But irony is that these films can hardly be categorized as tragedy. I am not referring to classical tragedy of Marlowe and Shakespeare, Similarly, despite mindless violence, deaths, conspiracy and intrigues, these films lack the standard what Webster did centuries back. If one writes dozen film-scripts in a year, creativity will be compromised.

The new Hindi movie Berlin 2024 can be termed if not crime thriller but it tries to depict conspiracy and intrigues among different wings of Intelligence Agencies of India and others. But the film seems to make both factual and technical mistakes. The list is long.

1. Inappropriate Title: Whatever be the logic one provides, the Title of the Movie can never be Berlin. Watching the movie proves the casual approach of the writer Atul Sabharwal who is also the director of the film. The film has no relation with Berlin or Germany. No doubt, the film depicts a restaurant named Berlin which has been projected as a place of conspiracies. But the pivotal theme is different. Similarly, many films have already been made different languages with the same name Berlin. This will restrict Hindi Berlin attaining identity no matter what OTT platforms say.

2. Boring Prelude- The Disclaimer section is too lengthy and boring. One does not need to read all the words in different version of Disclaimer. Viewers and film-censor board know this.

3. Factual Errors: It seems the writer did no homework about the international socio-political situation and geo-strategic affairs before writing the script. Naturally, serious factual errors are there which includes: i) Reference to Cold War ii) Russian armament in India in 1990s iii) India-US rift in that decade just like previous decades iv) Post liberalization in 1990 v) Fall of price because of ending Cold War and as the direct impact of liberalization.

All are factually wrong. These are just few examples. But this is not expected from an Officer who held top position in Indian Intelligence. Someone holding that position can give expert's opinion on such matters. But what the Film has done is just disgusting.

4. Imperfect Background: As the film tries to recreate an incident of 1990, the background should have been like that era. But films showed some items which came after one decades, the filmmaker seems keeps careless while using LED bulb, other electronic items, and devices that did not exist in 1990.

5. Lengthy and Boring Interrogation: this has made the film more monotonous. The film shows interrogation of a deaf and dumb almost 10 times. This creats distraction and such element can never revolve the wheel of action. This could have been minimized and replaced with some scenes relevant to the theme.

6. Unnecessary Characters- The film has too many unnecessary characters. It seems as if film the maker has tried to show the audience the entire demography of Delhi.

If a film makes such basic mistakes, it is bound to distract the attention of audience. But poor characterization is another weak point of the film. Except Aparshakti Khurana and Rahul Bose, no one seemed impressive. The effort of Ishwak Singh portraying the character of deaf and dump is relatively better. But this is surprising why veteran like Kabir Bedi and potential actress like Anupriya Goenka agreed to act in such a dull film.

These entire make that the film lacks potentiality. Writing, direction, plot, execution, cast and above all silly Mistakes have made Berlin 2024 a boring narrative. Don't waste time watching this.

Berlin immerses its audience in the intricacies of a divided city, with a plot that keeps viewers at the edge of their seats. Set against the backdrop of post-war Berlin, the film masterfully explores the paranoia and uncertainty of the Cold War era. The narrative unfolds slowly, gradually building tension as the characters navigate a city caught between two ideologies. The director's attention to period detail and the slow-burn storytelling creates a palpable atmosphere of distrust.

The performances, especially from the lead, anchor the film, lending it a sense of realism that makes the stakes feel personal. What really sets Berlin apart from other political thrillers is its emphasis on character development-each role is complex, and their decisions, often morally ambiguous, add layers to the plot. It's a movie that doesn't rush, allowing the viewer to fully experience the anxiety that filled the streets of Berlin during this turbulent period.

For those who enjoy historical dramas and political intrigue, Berlin is a must-watch. Its narrative style may not appeal to fans of fast-paced action, but for those willing to immerse themselves in its nuanced storytelling, the payoff is incredibly rewarding.