Review : Ek Chatur Naar: A ‘Clever’ Revenge Drama!

In recent years, Bollywood has increasingly moved toward telling stories led by strong female characters, shifting from conventional portrayals to narratives centered on agency, dignity, and empowerment. Gangubai Kathiawadi, Chhapaak, Darlings, Panga, Raazi are a few examples and now Ek Chatur Naar joins the list. The film is a comic thriller, and its lead actress #DivyaKhosla delivers a layered performance.

Mamta Mishra (Divya Khosla) lives secretly in Lucknow with her son and mother-in-law (Chhaya Kadam) because Thakur (Yashpal Sharma) is after her as her late husband had taken a loan of ₹30 lakhs from him. Abhishek Verma (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a businessman with political ambitions, assists a political leader (Zakir Hussain) in the movement of black money. When Mamta steals his mobile phone and discovers incriminating videos, she begins blackmailing him, demanding ₹2 crores. Abhishek tries to recover the phone with the help of Inspector (Sushant Singh), but Mamta has other plans. What unfolds from here forms the crux of the story.

Though the story lacks novelty, the director presents it in a comic-thriller format. The screenplay is tight and keeps the pace brisk, with some dialogues standing out. Cinematography is excellent, capturing the charm of Lucknow beautifully. The music is average, but the title track makes an impact.

Divya Khosla shines throughout, showcasing many facets of her craft. She handles light comedy and emotional scenes with equal ease, carrying the film gracefully on her shoulders. Neil Nitin Mukesh is impressive as a gray-shaded character, while Sushant Singh delivers a polished performance that leaves a mark. Chhaya Kadam’s potential could have been explored further, but she doesn’t disappoint. Yashpal Sharma is effective as always.

Ek Chatur Naar is a ‘clever’ revenge drama served in a comic-thriller style.

Rating: ★★★½

By Keerti Kadam