Review: Krishna Arjun Addresses Hard-Hitting Social Issues!

In the rural parts of India, the governing authorities usually success the weaker section of the society and resultantly some rebels are born. They try to amend things by taking revenge and the cycle goes on. Filmmaker, writer, and actor #HemwantTiwaris latest film ‘Krishna Arjun’ is stirring conversation on the similar topic. It is a full-length feature films shot entirely in a single take, lasting 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Set against a raw, real-world backdrop, Krishna Arjun tells the story of twin brothers — Krishna and Arjun. Krishna is portrayed as a strong-willed yet kind-hearted individual who is also homosexual. His sexual identity leads to social and familial ostracism, ultimately forcing him to leave home in search of peace. Arjun, on the other hand, remains with the family, supporting them through emotional and financial crises.

The story weaves in a multitude of hard-hitting social issues. From caste discrimination, political corruption, and sexual assault to bureaucratic apathy, the film pulls no punches. One of the film’s darkest turns involves Arjun’s father, burdened by debt, attempting self-immolation, only to be set ablaze by a ruthless loan agent. In a parallel track, a pregnant rape victim finds herself accused rather than protected when she approaches the police — a gut-wrenching reflection of real societal failures.

The narrative intensifies as Arjun clashes with a corrupt minister who once offered him a deal: his mother’s treatment in exchange for three murders. Arjun refuses, and the minister sets him up with false charges. While in police custody, Arjun reunites with the pregnant woman — his first love — and tries to protect her from the minister’s grasp.

Krishna Arjun is unapologetically bold, tackling casteism, LGBTQ+ stigma, Hindu-Muslim dynamics, and political exploitation. Tiwari chooses not to sugarcoat reality. The film deliberately avoids songs or commercial distractions, instead relying on a raw, documentary-like realism. The pacing occasionally dips, and the absence of scene transitions might not appeal to all viewers. The film blends love, loss, action, humour, and stark realism, reflecting many harsh truths young Indians see around them daily.

It’s a film that challenges norms — both in form and content — and deserves credit for its ambition and social relevance.

Rating: ***1/2

By Keerti Kadam