Randeep Hooda's "Main Aur Charles" hits screens on 30 October, but early reviews are out.
Directed by Prawaal Raman, the film is based on a real life story of serial killer Hatchand Bhaonani Gurumukh aka Charles Sobhraj, who is currently logded in a jail in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Randeep Hooda portrays the role of the notorious killer Charles and gave a splendid teaser of his role in the trailer, which impressed critics and Bollywood celebrities. The film also features Richa Chadda in an important role.
Charles Shobraj got the reputation of an escape artist and was also known for his ability to impress women with his charming avatar and Randeep has portrayed his character well.
But has the film impressed critics? Read below to know what critics have said in the review:
Subhash K Jha in his review said: "There is so much here that's pleasurably authentic and yet given that twist of tadkathat makes the story vigorously attractive.
"Charles Sobhraj gets an unexpectedly arresting lease of life in this gutsy lucid and robust bio-pic . Director Prawaal Raman sweeps us into Sobhraj's exploits .Once in, there's no way out."
India.com critic said: "The movie posters and trailer created much excitement as to what the story would be like. Yes, the movie is an entertaining crime thriller, however, Randeep Hooda as Charles does justice to the role but not completely."
Meena Iyer of The Times of India said: "Randeep is convincing; the uncanny physical resemblance and accent help bring Charles alive. Most of the supporting cast is good, but Adil Hussain is a notch above."
Manjusha Radhakrishnan of Gulf News said: " There are many interesting strands in Main Aur Charles, but the strands don't weave together well because the thrills that give us a window into the cat-and-mouse-game between a determined cop and a rabid creep come at a staggered pace. In short, Main Aur Charles is a grim, no-frills cop and criminal saga, but we wish the thrills were as potent and magnetic as Sobhraj's notorious personality."
Shreemi Verma of Miss Malini said: "All in all, Main Aur Charles is a good start in this sub-genre. Watch it with complete concentration and please don't leave your brains at home."
Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in said: "Had Raman stuck with his investigation into Charles's mystique and his self-mythologisation, this movie might have actually become the sophisticated biopic it wants to be. Main Aur Charles should really have been about the poster, not the case file."
Pinkvilla critic said: "The prime problem is that the film is too much soul and very less substance. It was promising but half-baked, with the thrills falling short in supply."
