It seems as though Bollywood is immensely inspired by the idea of making thrillers and money heist movies because perhaps the idea sells like hot cake and filmmakers go head over heels to grasp the plot without analysing its aftermath. Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (CNKB) looks inspired from a 2006 Hollywood flick [keep guessing until I share the name at the end]. The film features the new favourite Netflix actor Radhika Apte and Yami Gautam in key characters paired with young, dapper and charmingly talented Sunny Kaushal. Sharad Kelkar also appears in an integral character. Let’s see what the film offers to its viewers.

The writers of CNKB have a flair for the dramatic, much like a group of crafty card players out to hustle the unsuspecting. They skillfully weave a complex web of intrigue and deception that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. However, at times, their tactics seem to get far-fetched, like overconfident players who overplay their hand. Nonetheless, their cleverness and ability to keep the audience guessing are undeniable, making it difficult to discern what is a misstep and what is part of a greater scheme. The result is a thrilling ride that leaves viewers both enthralled and uncertain, as they are taken along on a journey of unexpected twists and turns.

The film takes audiences on a high-flying adventure as it weaves a tale of desperation and danger. The plot centres around a flight attendant, Neha Grover played by Yami Gautam, and her boyfriend Ankit Sethi played by Sunny Kaushal, who are backed into a corner when the latter incurs a debt to a ruthless loan shark. To clear the debt, the couple must steal diamonds from a courier on board their flight. However, their plans are thrown off course when the courier is switched mid-flight, and the plane is hijacked by terrorists. There are two to three stories running simultaneously which keep the audience hooked, thinking and guessing what is going to happen next.

On paper, the storyline seems like a recipe for a nail-biting thriller, but the true test is whether the filmmakers have done justice to the concept. As the tension builds and the stakes become higher, audiences will be on the edge of their seats, wondering if the couple will successfully complete their mission or fall victim to the hijacking.

The film is a crime caper with a unique twist that will keep audiences guessing till the very end. The writers Shiraz Ahmed and Amar Kaushik team up with director Ajay Singh to bring audiences a thrilling tale of a mid-air diamond heist that brings an unanticipated twist when the plane with more than 150 passengers is hijacked.

As the story unfolds and the plot thickens, viewers will find themselves immersed in a complex and convoluted narrative that never fails to surprise. Yes the film gets boring and feels lengthy, and at times a little too stretched even in terms of performances, let alone duration. The unneccesary scenes make the film less effective.

Gautam is a versatile and gifted actor who has demonstrated her ability to play a wide range of roles with exceptional grace and skill. Her ability to captivate audiences with her stunning appearance and outstanding performances is appreciated in every film that she does, and she has yet again proven her mettle in this film with her noteworthy performance. Her performance in the film was that of a solid character, and she aced the role with conviction and poise, yet again flaunting her versatility and acting prowess. However, it is safe to say that her potential as an actor was not fully realised in the film, and a few tweaks to her character could have elevated her performance to even greater heights. Despite this, Gautam’s fans are well aware of her talent, and they know that she is capable of delivering exceptional performances if given the right material to work with. Her portrayal in the climax of the film was both surprising and calculated, but still predictably enjoyable to watch. Her ability to capture the audience’s attention and hold it through her acting skills and stunning looks is something that makes her truly a gifted and blessed actor.

Sunny Kaushal is a gifted actor who possesses a natural talent and charming personality that shines through in his performances. The portrayal of his character is carried out with exceptional ease and skill, and he impressed audiences with his ability to showcase a range of different shades and personalities. At times, Sunny’s performance reminds one of Saif Ali Khan’s memorable work in Ek Hasina Thhi. The sudden changes in his role and his antics were all enjoyable, and he kept himself on his toes throughout the film, delivering a solid performance, after his previous work in Shiddat. Kaushal has the potential to become another versatile actor in the industry if given the right kind of characters and films. He has shown that he is capable of doing wonders, and his performance in the post-interval and climax of the film was a true delight to watch.

Sharad Kelkar is an astounding actor who has demonstrated his acting chops in numerous movies and TV shows. Unfortunately, in this film, his character is the weakest link, but that is not Kelkar’s fault. Instead, the writers are to blame for giving him a shallow character that offered him nothing substantial to work with. Kelkar’s character had the potential to be intriguing and effective, but unfortunately, the writing failed to do justice to his talent. Moreover, his dialogue lacked punch-lines, which made it difficult for him to make a lasting impression on the audience. For a film like CNKB the character played by Kelkar should have been of immense weight and focus, just like the one Akshaye Khanna played in Drishyam 2 and Ittefaq.

Despite the shortcomings in his character, Kelkar did his best to make the most of the limited material he was given. His acting skills were on full display, but it was clear that the character was not written to showcase his full potential, but he should have had a meatier character to play.

There is no doubt that people are talking about CNKB, with some critics hailing it as a triumph and others bemoaning its lack of coherence. While it certainly has some strengths, it’s hard to escape the feeling that this is a film that falls somewhat short of the mark. One of the key issues being Ajay Singh’s handling of the material. At times, it feels as though they are struggling to keep all the different strands of the narrative together, resulting in a somewhat bewildering experience for the viewer. The use of flashbacks, in particular, can be disorienting, and the romantic angle between the main leads feel tacked-on and not particularly or aesthetically engaging. Another problem is the way the film deals with traumatic experiences. While there are undoubtedly some intense and powerful moments, there is a tendency to overload the viewer with these scenes, leading to a sense of overwhelm rather than genuine emotional engagement.

One of the most frustrating things about the film is the uneven fluidity of the storytelling. At times, the narrative feels airtight and compelling, drawing the viewer in and keeping them on the edge of their seat. However, there are also moments where the storytelling feels disjointed and confusing, leaving the viewer struggling to keep up.

Of course, it’s not all bad news. There are certainly elements of the film that are entertaining and enjoyable, for instances the change of personalities and the immediate change of emotions take the audience by surprise and shock. However, these moments are often somewhat jerky and uneven, failing to build on the momentum of the film and leaving the viewer feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

Ultimately, it’s hard to escape the feeling that the film could have been much tighter and more effective. With a few cuts to the length, or a greater focus on refining the script and screenplay, it's possible that this could have been a much more successful venture. As it stands, however, it’s a film that falls somewhat short of the mark ― entertaining in parts, but ultimately lacking the coherence and fluidity needed to truly captivate the viewer.

It may not be the most groundbreaking film of the year, but CNKB is still worth checking out for its quirky characters, unpredictable storyline, and decently crafted heist scenes. It is a film that will keep viewers guessing until the very end with heart-pumping action, suspenseful plot twists. A hint for movie buffs, do you remember Denzel Washington and Jodie Foster starrer Inside Man that was directed by Spike Lee? CNKB is a comparatively sloppy attempt to recreate the same effects, but all it offers is a typical Bollywood film that has a lot going on which make the movie a potpourri of lousy narrative and hotchpotch of tedious tracks.

Shafiq Ul Hasan Siddiqui is an avid movie buff, and film and drama critic and a digital inbound marketer. He tweets as www.twitter.com/shafiqulhasan81. All information and facts are the responsibility of the writer