Max Studio, Golden Ratio Films and First Ray Films’ Lord Curzon Ki Haveli (A) is a dark comedy. Four immigrant Indians — Rohit (Anuj Mathur), Sanya (Zoha Rahman), Ira (Rasika Dugal) and Dr. Basuki Nath (Paresh Pahuja) — meet in London over a dinner party at the house of Rohit and Sanya. Ira and Dr. Basuki Nath reach the house of Rohit and Sanya. Rohit tells the guests that there’s a dead body in the trunk placed in the living room. That sets off a chain of hilarious events.
Bikas Mishra’s story and screenplay are of the kind which would appeal to a very thin section of the class audience. As it is, dark comedies are not everyone’s cup of tea. Over and above that, the drama is so elitist that it holds appeal only for the high gentry among the viewers. The track of Ira and Dr. Basuki Nath is a bit weird and may not be understood and appreciated by many among the masses. Of course, within the dark comedy, there is a comment sought to be made on issues of identity and gender. The pace of the drama is slow. Frankly, this kind of a drama is more for the viewers who frequent international film festivals. Bikas Mishra’s dialogues are so-so.
Arjun Mathur is fair as Rohit. He is natural but there’s nothing outstanding about his performance. Rasika Dugal performs very ably in the role of Ira. Her mood swings are well enacted. Zoha Rahman is alright as Sanya. Paresh Pahuja is okay in the role of Dr. Basuki Nath. Tanmay Dhanania lends average support as the pizza delivery boy. Garrick Hagon hardly gets any scope to act, as Henry Curzon. Sheila Tarpey (voice acting as Mrs. Curzon) and Anshuman Jha (as the chef) are okay.
Anshuman Jha’s direction is good, given the script. Simon Fransquet’s background music is reasonably nice. Ramanuj Dutta and Jean Marc Selva’s cinematography is of a fine standard. Jim Dowdall Harley Action Enterprises Ltd.’s action and stunt scenes are functional. Tiya Tejpal’s production designing is appropriate. Aasif Pathan’s editing is fairly sharp.
On the whole, Lord Curzon Ki Haveli is a well-made film but its box-office chances are bleak.
Released on 10-10-’25 at Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Cinepolis India. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.