Read our Ek Chatur Naar Review if you are wondering if the film is worth your time.
Released theatrically on 12 September 2025, Ek Chatur Naar is a Hindi-language dark comedy thriller directed by Umesh Shukla, featuring Divya Khosla Kumar and Neil Nitin Mukesh in lead roles. The film recently premiered on Netflix on 7 November 2025, so you can now watch it at the comfort of your homes. But is it worth your time?
Ek Chatur Naar tells the story of Mamta, a struggling widow who finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of blackmail after uncovering the secrets of a powerful businessman upon finding his mobile phone. Combining dark humor, suspense, and moral dilemmas, Ek Chatur Naar promises a smart and entertaining narrative; one that manages to hold the viewer’s attention right till the end. Read our full Ek Chatur Naar review to know if it is worth your time.
A Unique Premise That Keeps You Hooked
What immediately sets Ek Chatur Naar apart is its refreshing premise. The story begins with a small, seemingly harmless incident that snowballs into something much larger and far more unpredictable. The writing doesn’t rely on unnecessary subplots or distractions; instead, it steadily builds tension while keeping us curious about what will happen next. From start to finish, the film never loses its rhythm; there’s always something unfolding, some secret waiting to be revealed.
This constant engagement is easily the movie’s strongest point. Even without grand visual effects or heavy action, the screenplay creates enough intrigue to make viewers stay glued to their screens. It’s a definitely tightly woven thriller that values its own simplicity. So regardless of whether you like the acting or not, it is unlike that the story is going to bore you.
Performances: A Tale of Two Extremes
Neil Nitin Mukesh- although we have not seen him much on the screen in recent years, he returns delivering one of his most fitting performances in recent years. His portrayal of Abhishek Verma; a seemingly normal businessman who is actually cunning and ruthless; feels effortless. There’s a quiet menace in his tone, and his restraint makes the tension believable. His presence adds impact to every scene he’s in, giving the film a steady emotional center. And till the end of the film, you don’t know whether to sympathize with him, or to hate him.
Divya Khosla Kumar, on the other hand, gives a performance that swings between convincing and exaggerated. While she does manage to look the part and carries the emotional weight of many scenes, certain moments feel unnecessarily dramatic. There are crying sequences and outbursts that appear out of place, making the emotion feel forced rather than natural. It’s not that she performs poorly; the effort is visible- but the lack of restraint makes some parts unintentionally awkward.
Supporting Roles and Overacting Concerns
One of the weaker aspects of the film lies in the supporting performances, particularly that of Chayya Kadam, the actress playing Mamta’s mother-in-law. Her portrayal is marked by excessivedrinking, shouting and dramatization, which often breaks immersion. She put her best into the role, no doubt about it, but insteead of feeling like a lived-in character, she comes across as visibly “acting,” making her scenes feel overly funny at times when it is not needed.
Thankfully, the rest of the supporting cast fares much better. All veteran actors we see in the film including Zakir Hussain, Yashpal Sharma and Sushant Singh, fit neatly into their roles. These characters neither overstay their welcome nor steal focus from the main story, ensuring a good tonal balance.
Narrative Flow, Twists, and Message
Ek Chatur Naar succeeds in keeping you engaged from start to finish. The pacing is excellent, and the story rarely loses its focus. What truly elevates the film is the unpredictable nature of its twists. The revelations by the end of the film are particularly satisfying because they don’t follow the typical Bollywood formula. Just when viewers think they’ve figured everything out, the film throws something at you that you don’t expect.
The movie concludes with a thought-provoking message; one that reflects on greed, justice and corruption in an impactful way. While the message isn’t explored in deep philosophical terms, its simplicity ensures it connects with a wider audience. It’s a meaningful ending that ties the story together neatly.
Is it worth watching?
Ek Chatur Naar stands out as a well-conceived and entertaining film that doesn’t overcomplicate itself. It’s not entirely flawless, but its story and pacing make it thoroughly watchable. The film’s strength lies in its narrative tightness and ability to surprise — something that many thrillers today fail to achieve.
The inconsistent acting, especially during emotional peaks, holds it back from greatness, but the overall experience remains enjoyable. If you are looking for a gripping, fast-paced Hindi black comedy with an impactful message, Ek Chatur Naar will deliver exactly that.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
A clever, engaging thriller that could have been even stronger with more natural performances and tighter emotional control; but still a film worth your time.
