Karwaan – Movie Review

Directed by Akarsh Khurana, Karwaan stars Irrfan, Dulquer Salmaan and Mithila Palkar in the lead roles and is one of the three movies releasing on this (August 3rd) weekend. The film follows the journey of three lost souls (Shaukat, Avinash, and Tanya) joining together for an unexpected road trip across the beautiful state of Kerala with the purpose of solving a confusion involving two dead bodies.

Let’s start with the story, which I should say is surprisingly unpredictable for the most part. It took a few twists and turns and by and large kept me captivated. Story writer Bejoy Nambiar and screenwriter/director Akarsh Khurana infused quite a few undertones throughout the film whether it’s about death, life, self-analysis and introduced a refreshing tone filled with good vibes, affection, and celebration.

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Similar to Irrfan’s previous film Blackmail, Karwaan is also entertaining in regards to Black Comedy or Dark Comedy. The way the characters made fun of such dramatic situations is something I rarely see in Bollywood, and it exposes the vulnerability and complications of these characters in the most blatant way possible.

Advancing to the characters and performances, Irrfan stole the show with his carefree and jovial attitude and is solely responsible for the majority of laughs. Dulquer Salmaan who is known for his solid acting in South Indian Film Industry is a surprise and charming addition to the film, and perfectly fit the role of Avinash. Mithila Palkar also had a significant presence, and her unusual chemistry or dialogue with DQ worked well inside and out.

But, the heart and soul for this film (at least for me) is the exquisite cinematography that showcased the alluring beauty of Kerala which is essential for a road trip movie. The scenic views accompanied by some sweet-sounding music is a treat for the audience member, and it also positions you in a calm and cheerful mood which is vital for social media magnets like us.

However, before I wrap this up, let me discuss the drawbacks. The film certainly had a few problems especially at the beginning of the second half where it stalls for a while and then picks up, and the 120-minute runtime is IMO a bit unnecessary.

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Nevertheless, Karwaan is overall a feel-good road trip film wrapped with few significant themes, amusing jokes, euphonious music, and is a sweet love letter to the “God’s Own Country” Kerala. Watch it on a cozy weekend with your loved ones or partners it will not disappoint you.

Rating – 3.25/5 | Grade – B