Tisca Chopra’s directorial debut, Saali Mohabbat, now streaming on Zee5, boasts an evocative setting and a talented cast led by Radhika Apte. Yet, despite its promise, the film struggles to maintain narrative consistency, ultimately landing as an atmospheric but undercooked murder mystery.
A Bold Directorial Debut with Mixed Outcomes
Tisca Chopra steps behind the camera for the first time with a small-town thriller rooted in Uttar Pradesh. While the film immediately establishes a textured, lived-in world, its storytelling doesn’t match the same finesse. Clocking in under two hours, the pace remains tight and rarely drags, but the screenplay feels uneven—at times rushed, at times scattered.
Producer Manish Malhotra, fresh off the gentler tones of Gustaakh Ishq, attempts a stark tonal shift with this darker narrative. Despite the ambition and the strong pool of performers, Saali Mohabbat stops short of delivering the emotional resonance or narrative cohesion it aims for.
A Woman Caught in Quiet Desperation
At the center of the story is Smita (Radhika Apte), a former gold medallist in botany whose promising academic future has given way to a monotone life of domestic duties. Her husband Pankaj (Anshumaan Pushkar), drowning in gambling debts, eyes her father’s ancestral property as a quick escape.
Into this strained household enters Smita’s younger sister Shalini (Sauraseni Maitra), newly employed in Chhapraula. Her arrival alters the household dynamic dramatically: Ratan (Divyenndu), a corrupt local cop, is instantly drawn to her, while Pankaj’s intentions blur into lust. When Shalini and Pankaj are later found brutally murdered, the seemingly ordinary family setup collapses into a grim mystery.
Atmospheric Strength, Fragmented Thriller Elements
The strongest aspect of Saali Mohabbat is its sense of place. The Uttar Pradesh milieu feels authentic—its rhythms, tensions, and social layers are all captured with skill. Yet, the film falters where a murder mystery must not: its writing lacks sharpness.
Several plot points are left hanging or underexplored. Anurag Kashyap’s Gajendra Bhaiya is introduced with flair but fades without payoff. In contrast, Sharat Saxena’s enigmatic gardener emerges as a more crucial presence, though he remains frustratingly unexplained until the end. Shalini’s motivations, choices, and emotional arc also never gain clarity, leaving a void in understanding the stakes of the narrative.
Performances That Outshine the Script
Despite writing flaws, the ensemble elevates the material.
- Radhika Apte anchors the film with a layered portrayal of Smita—her simmering frustration and suppressed intelligence come through with quiet power, even if her UP accent occasionally slips.
- Divyenndu brings authenticity to Ratan but is hindered by the script’s lack of depth.
- Sauraseni Maitra adds spark and presence as Shalini, making the most of her limited material.
- Anshumaan Pushkar effectively embodies the desperation and moral weakness of Pankaj.
- Sharat Saxena delivers one of the film’s most intriguing performances, though the writing withholds too much about his character.
Jay-Ho Verdict
Saali Mohabbat is a film rich in mood and potential, bolstered by committed performances and an authentically crafted setting. However, its uneven screenplay and unexplored character arcs prevent it from becoming a gripping or emotionally satisfying thriller. It intrigues in flashes but leaves too many questions unanswered—making it a debut with promise, but also with evident room for refinement.
