Anshuman Jha, a filmmaker recognized for his unique approach to twisted love stories, ventures into new territory with ‘Lord Curzon Ki Haveli.’ This film masterfully weaves together mystery, historical undertones, and generous dollops of dark humor, all unfolding over a single, unforgettable night.
Set entirely within the confines of a UK summer home, ‘Lord Curzon Ki Haveli’ is a quintessential chamber film, its narrative swirling around a central crime. The scene is set for an evening dinner where two couples converge: Rohit (Arjun Mathur) and his wife Sanya (Zoha Rahman) host Dr. Basuki (Paresh Pahuja) and Ira (Rasika Dugal). What begins as a seemingly harmless jest about a dead body in a drawing-room trunk quickly escalates, exposing deep-seated tensions and vulnerabilities between Dr. Basuki and Ira, hinting at the true, sinister agenda behind the gathering.
Lord Curzon Ki Haveli (Hindi)
Director: Anshuman Jha
Cast: Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, Paresh Pahuja, Zoha Rahman
Runtime: 108 minutes
Storyline: When four immigrants meet in an English countryside home for dinner, an innocuous joke about a dead body in a trunk spirals into a life-changing adventure.
Drawing inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s signature suspense and the raw, compelling violence seen in films like ‘Natural Born Killers,’ the movie deliberately builds its atmosphere, demanding a degree of patience from the viewer. However, as the intricate layers of each character’s motivations are peeled back, the narrative accelerates, finding its rhythm and delivering a truly impactful, gut-wrenching climax.
Beyond the central enigma of an Englishman’s body—whose very name echoes a painful colonial history—writer Bikas Mishra skillfully integrates a powerful social commentary. The film delves into the complex struggles of immigrant identity and the deep-seated insecurities that often accompany it.
A remarkable achievement of the film, and arguably its most challenging feat, is Anshuman Jha’s unwavering commitment to the thriller genre. He deftly prevents the weighty social commentary from overshadowing the core narrative. Instead, Jha empowers the audience to uncover the characters’ intricate motivations and hidden insecurities. He ensures that nationality does not simplistically define the moral complexities of the crime and the underlying passions. Subtly, themes like Asian squatters in the European countryside and Dr. Basuki’s sexuality are woven into the fabric of the story, like secrets kept carefully tucked away.
Rasika Dugal delivers a compelling performance as a woman from Bhatinda trapped in an unhappy marriage with an NRI doctor, a role convincingly brought to life by Paresh Pahuja. Arjun Mathur tackles arguably the most demanding role, embodying his character with such depth that he resonates powerfully with the audience.
While Zoha Rahman plays a charming character intended to distract from the main plot, her portrayal doesn’t quite hit the mark. Conversely, Tanmay Dhaniana shines in a brief but memorable role as the Bangladeshi pizza delivery boy. Anshuman Jha effectively utilizes accents to add depth and nuance to his characters, enhancing the storytelling.
However, it must be noted that the film’s broader themes aren’t always fully developed, occasionally feeling as though certain narrative inconsistencies are glossed over. The integration of social commentary and historical context doesn’t consistently merge seamlessly with the thriller’s mystery. Nevertheless, ‘Lord Curzon Ki Haveli’ largely succeeds, leaving a strong impression with its unique structure and profound emotional depth.
This thought-provoking film is currently showing in theaters.