Saali Mohabbat, now streaming on ZEE5, arrives with the promise of a dark and unsettling mystery wrapped inside a psychological thriller. It marks Tisca Chopra’s debut as a director and features the ever dependable Radhika Apte in the lead. With a strong concept and an interesting setting, this film could have been a sharp, haunting story about love, betrayal and lies. Unfortunately, it never quite lands the punch it promises.
The story: A quiet town and a shocking crime
The film is set in the calm little town of Fursatgarh, where a brutal double murder shakes everyone. At the centre of it all is Smita, played by Radhika Apte. She is a housewife whose life slowly begins to fall apart. The film moves between two timelines. One shows Smita’s past, while the present unfolds at a lunch gathering where her friend Kavita reveals her own story after discovering her husband’s affair.
As the layers peel back, the film tries to explore what really led to the crime and how far people will go when love becomes an excuse for toxic actions.
What works
Radhika Apte single-handedly lifts this film. She delivers a beautifuly controlled performance and captures the confusion, fear, and emotional chaos of her character pushed to the edge. Whenever the writing falters, she manages to hold the scene together.
The small-town atmosphere adds a nice touch of tension, and the first half builds curiosity well. The movie drops small clues, plays with perception and keeps you guessing for a while into the movie.
Where it falters
The biggest issue with this movie is its uneven writing and pace. What begins as an engaging psychological mystery slowly turns messy and predictable. The second half feels stretched, and certain twists do not land as effectively as they should have. Either they are predictable or feel rushed.
Supporting actors like Divyenndu Sharma and Anurag Kashyap have interesting roles, but their characters are not developed well enough to leave an impact on the story. The two timeline structure also becomes confusing at times and holds the film back from delivering a powerful emotional payoff.
Final verdict
Saali Mohabbat is a thriller with a solid concept, but the execution is inconsistent and could have been better. Radhika Apte’s performance is easily the best part of the film, and there are genuinely gripping moments. However, the slow pace and weak second half stop it from becoming a memorable thriller.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
It is a decent one-time watch for those who enjoy psychological stories, but if you are looking for a sharp and tightly written mystery, you may end up wanting more.