"Gumraah" (2023) is a crime thriller about a murder case involving two lookalike suspects. However, the film fails to impress with its predictable plot and average performances. Aditya Roy Kapur's double role doesn't offer anything exceptional, and the supporting cast, including Ronit Roy and Mrunal Thakur, also delivers perfunctory performances.
The latest addition to the Hindi cinema's crime thriller genre is Gumraah, starring Aditya Roy Kapur in a double role. Directed by Vardhan Ketkar, the film follows the investigation of a murder case where two men with the same face are the primary suspects. While the premise is intriguing, the execution is lackluster, and the film fails to stand out in a genre that is already crowded with similar stories.
The film's attempt to create an 'aha' moment with its big reveal falls flat. While there are some well-done action sequences, the romance detour in the first half feels like a whole other film. Overall, "Gumraah" feels like an overlong episode of a television show.
"It felt like life had come full circle" Says Sheena Chohan As She Addresses Over 1,000 Army Officers, Honouring Her Roots
Apr 2, 2026Gumraah starts on a promising note, with a brutal murder that sets the stage for the rest of the film. Aditya Roy Kapur plays two characters, Arjun Sehgal and Sooraj Rana, who are suspected of committing the crime. Mrunal Thakur's character, Shivani Mathur, is assigned to the case and starts investigating with her team. However, her superior, ACP Dhiren Yadav (Ronit Roy), already has a vendetta against Arjun and has already assumed his guilt. The film then shifts to a flashback that tries to explain the lives of Arjun and Sooraj leading up to the night of the murder.
The problem with Gumraah is that it takes too many predictable turns and fails to create any genuine suspense. The big reveal of how Arjun and Sooraj are connected to each other is underwhelming, and the film tries to play it up as a 'aha' moment that falls flat. Additionally, the romance subplot in the first half feels unnecessary and disconnected from the main plot, almost like a whole different film.
The performances in the film are perfunctory at best, with no real standout. Aditya Roy Kapur separates both characters in a typical manner, with one being respectable and the other being a rogue. Ronit Roy and Mrunal Thakur's characters are also opposites, with both assuming guilt of one man over the other. Their dogged beliefs in their convictions lead the second half of the film, but even that fails to create any genuine tension.
Afsar Amrohi Steals the Spotlight as a Ferocious Villain in 'The Legend of Udham Singh'; Proves to be the Ultimate 'Dark Horse' Under Waseem Amrohi's Direction
Apr 2, 2026The film's direction and editing are adequate, but they do little to elevate the formulaic plot. The action sequences are well-done, but they feel disconnected from the rest of the film. There are also a few unintentional laugh-out-loud moments with the dialogues, which only add to the film's overall mediocrity.
Gumraah is a remake of the Tamil film Thadam (2019), which featured Arun Vijay in a double role. While the basic plot remains the same, Gumraah fails to capture the essence of the original and ends up feeling like an overlong episode of a television show.
The film tries to be a criminal versus law enforcement thriller, but it falls short in its execution. It's a pattern seen lately in many similar films, where the police officers, despite their technology and vast manpower, remain one step behind the culprit, who has thought ahead. It's a tired trope that Gumraah does little to reinvent.
Gumraah is a run-of-the-mill thriller that fails to deliver on its promising premise. Aditya Roy Kapur's double turn does little to elevate the film, and the lack of genuine suspense makes it a forgettable experience. While it won't bore you, it won't excite you either, and there are better films in the genre to invest your time in.
