‘SUMERU’ REVIEW | 1 October, 2021

Padma Siddhi Films’ Sumeru is the story of a young man who sets out in search of his father but finds a companion in a girl.

Avinash Dhyani’s story and screenplay are as ordinary as ordinary can be. Novelty is conspicuous by its absence. Since the drama moves on a single track, monotony sets in quite early. The proceedings simply fail to involve the viewers, thanks in no small measure to the protagonists (Avinash Dhyani and Sanskriti Bhatt) who lack the looks of lead players. Avinash Dhyani’s dialogues are dull.

Avinash Dhyani (as Bhavar Pratap Singh) neither looks like a hero nor acts like one. Sanskriti Bhatt (as Savi Malhotra) performs quite well but is not heroine material. Shagufta Ali lends good support as Shamaira. Suruchi Saklani is so-so as Roshni. Megha Joshi does an ordinary job as Shanaya. Abhishek Maindola, Arvind Panwar, Jeet Maila Gurung, Prashil Rawat, Satish Sharma, Bhumesh Bharti, Vimla Dhaundiyal and Madhvendra Rawat provide routine support.

Avinash Dhyani’s direction is no better than his insipid script. Sunjoy Bose’s music is below the mark. Lyrics (Rishi Raj Bhatt, Rishika Mishra, Vinay Joshi, Vijay Bhatt and Nishant Mishra) are nothing to shout about. Amit V. Kapoor’s background music is functional. Harish Negi’s camerawork is fair. Locations are good. Deepak Rawat’s art direction is commonplace. Editing (Mohit Kumar) needed to be sharper.

On the whole, Sumeru is a flop show.

Released on 1-10-’21 all over except in Maharashtra and Kerala. Publicity & opening: poor.