'Dedh Ishqiya' Review Roundup: Better than Prequel; Must Watch for Madhuri

Madhuri Dixit's "Dedh Ishqiya" has opened to rave reviews. The film which is a sequel to "Ishqiya" has mostly received positive reviews from reviewers.

The comedy thriller has been directed by Abhishek Chaubey and features Madhuri Dixit Nene, Huma Qureshi, Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Vijay Raaz in lead roles.

"Dedh Ishqiya" marks the comeback of dancing queen Madhuri.   

Read the critics' reviews here:

Mihir Fadnavis of Firstpost writes: "Dedh Ishqiya outdoes the first film in wit and intelligence. Few filmmakers have the ability to deliver dark and nuanced humour with such confidence, and the Chaubey-Bharadwaj team has scored with this deeply awesome instalment.

"Dedh Ishqiya is a very entertaining movie. It's got a generous doses of cinematic comedy, a terrific special-effect-aided romance between Naseeruddin Shah and Madhuri Dixit, a superb villain and more. The story picks up an indefinite amount of time after the events of the first movie. Babban (Arshad Warsi) and Khalujan (Shah) continue to con their way through life in the hinterland and evade being buried alive by their former boss, Mushtaq (Salman Shahid).

"Dedh Ishqiya is smarter, funnier, richer and way more gorgeous than its predecessor. If you're a fan of clever lines with terrific actors, great writing, masterful direction and Urdu poetry, Dedh Ishqiya hits your sweet spot. If you don't really give a damn about any of this and just want a fun time at the movies, Dedh Ishqiya is perhaps the most hilarious thriller Bollywood has produced."

Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama writes: "ISHQIYA was sharp, spicy and volatile, with impulsive characters and a storyline taking a somersault every few minutes. DEDH ISHQIYA is no different. It transports you to a diverse world, but like the first part, this one focuses on love and deceit as well. Also, it's far more complex this time around... and the truth hits you like a ton of bricks!

"Sure, one is familiar with Khalujaan and Babban, but the new characters that Abhishek Chaubey introduces us to in DEDH ISHQIYA -- Begum Para and Muniya specifically -- are shrouded in secrecy/ambiguity. While ISHQIYA was earthy and rustic, one gets to witness an alternate universe in DEDH ISHQIYA. There's a lot of poetry, music and color this time around. At the same time, there are layers to the story that baffle

"On the whole, DEDH ISHQIYA is a worthy follow up to the widely admired ISHQIYA. Powerful writing, superb direction and outstanding performances make DEDH ISHQIYA a must watch. Just don't miss it!"

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV writes: "Rare is a Bollywood release that one genuinely looks forward to. Dedh Ishqiya, for sure, is one such atypical film, and certainly not for its capricious title alone.

"Co-writer and director Abhishek Chaubey delivers a delightfully droll thriller set in an upcountry feudal milieu where adorable rogues and unfettered tricksters have a field day. In fact, Dedh Ishqiya is in many respects appreciably more enthralling than Ishqiya.

"The screenplay is laced with acidic wit, the comic touches are subtly sly, and the on-screen performances are marvellously modulated. Dedh Ishqiya entertains, but does so in a manner that does not trifle with the intelligence of the audience.

"The quality of the writing and the sharpness of the editing (A Sreekar Prasad), too, deserve an equally large measure of praise. Each neatly constructed sequence leads into the next flawlessly and without leaving any creases behind.

"From dilkashi to junoon, the start and end point respectively of Khalujaan's take on the seven stages of love, the film has them both and everything in between and beyond."

Vinayak Chakravorty of Indian Today writes: "It's dedh times more wicked than Ishqiya and it flaunts Madhuri Dixit's return. Dedh Ishqiya would be worth a watch if only for as much, but there is plenty more in store (as expected) that shouts out loud for applause.

"Ishqiya started off with an advantage this sequel will not get. Like all first films, it had concept novelty on its side. You had a couple of brazen rustic conmen with hearts that flutter at the tiniest tease, thrown into a mix of dark wit, crime and amoral amour.

"Director Abhishek Chaubey goes one up with treatment in Dedh Ishqiya, seamlessly fusing his tale of love in the time of intrigue with suspense and humour. He also reserves ample space to excel for each of his talented actors.

"Dedh Ishqiya makes desi go dangerous all over again. It's a whopper of a start for Bollywood in 2014. In a line, not to be missed."