Fashion Parade Films and 21st Century Arts’ Dilli Kaand (A) is the story of a girl who is raped in Delhi and left to die on the street. Although she survives and is hospitalised, she ultimately dies because of the heinous crime.
The story is, quite obviously, inspired by the Nirbhaya rape case of Delhi, which shook the entire nation. Kritik Kumar’s story borrows heavily from the real-life rape case. Since the case is so well-known, there is zero novelty in his story. Even his screenplay is devoid of freshness or imagination. It would not be incorrect to say that Kritik Kumar’s story and screenplay are extremely shoddy and fail to move the viewers. Emotions, which should have been the high point of the drama, are missing. His dialogues are very poor.
Kaashvi Kanchan is ordinary in the role of rape victim Alishka. Sam Sundesa does not impress as her boyfriend, Sameer. Amit Shukla overacts and, therefore, fails to create an impact as police inspector Pandey. Preetika Chauhan is alright as news reporter Riya Batra. Virendra Saxena has his moments as Alishka’s father, Manoj. Reem Khan is so-so as Alishka’s mother, Madhuri. Shahbaz Baweja is a big letdown as rapist Rizwan. Shashank Sethi (as Tony), Rajesh Singh (as the minister) and Mona Mathew (as the home minister) are pathetic, performance-wise.
Kritik Kumar’s direction is as terrible as his script. Music (Shashank Ranjan) is poor. Nikhilesh Negi’s lyrics are ordinary. Song picturisations (choreography by Subhash Shukla and Kritik Kumar) are commonplace. Background music is dull. Camerawork (Mohsin Khan and Shakeel Khan) just about passes muster. KK’s action and stunt scenes lack thrill. Sets (Pawan Swaroop and Rajesh Pandey) are nothing to shout about. Praveen Angre’s editing leaves a lot to be desired.
On the whole, Dilli Kaand is an apology of a film and will, therefore, meet with a disastrous fate.
Released on 24-9-’21 all over except in Maharashtra, Assam and Kerala. Publicity & opening: very poor.