Director: Kussh S. Sinha
Starring: Sonakshi Sinha, Paresh Rawal, Arjun Rampal, Suhail Nayyar
Genre: Supernatural Thriller, Psychological Drama
Kussh S. Sinha’s directorial debut, Nikita Roy, is a bold and gripping thriller that successfully merges the conventions of supernatural horror with a sharp, timely commentary on the modern clash between blind faith and empirical rationality. Set against the backdrop of a skeptical, science-driven London, the film delves into the murky waters where belief ends and manipulation begins, creating a consistently tense and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
The film centers on Nikita Roy (Sonakshi Sinha), a woman whose orderly life is shattered by the sudden and suspicious death of her brother, Sanal (Arjun Rampal). A renowned rationalist and author, Sanal was on the verge of exposing the powerful and enigmatic spiritual guru, Amardev (Paresh Rawal). Convinced that her brother’s death was not an accident, Nikita, aided by her loyal and tech-savvy friend Jolly (Suhail Nayyar), embarks on a mission to uncover the truth.
What begins as a straightforward investigation quickly spirals into a psychological nightmare. As Nikita and Jolly dig deeper, they are confronted with a series of inexplicable, supernatural occurrences that defy logical explanation. The line between reality and paranoia blurs, forcing Nikita to question everything she knows. Her fight for justice slowly transforms into a chilling personal ordeal, testing her sanity and her core beliefs about the world.
The film’s greatest strength is its masterfully controlled atmosphere of suspense. The script intelligently tackles weighty themes—superstition, the limits of science, and moral ambiguity—without becoming preachy. It weaves its social commentary directly into the fabric of the thriller, using the supernatural elements not just for scares, but as a metaphor for the insidious nature of dogma.
The sense of dread is palpable and builds meticulously with each revelation. The film avoids cheap jump scares in favor of a more lingering, psychological terror that gets under your skin. While the narrative is largely effective, a slightly more nuanced and ambiguous climax could have elevated the film from being a great thriller to a truly unforgettable one, leaving a more profound philosophical question mark.
Kussh S. Sinha demonstrates a remarkably assured hand for a debutant director. His command over narrative pacing is excellent, allowing tension to simmer and boil over at just the right moments. He avoids the trap of melodrama, grounding even the most supernatural events in a layer of psychological realism that makes them all the more frightening.
The technical team delivers top-tier work. The cinematography is haunting, using the cold, modern architecture of London to create a sense of isolation, while shadow and light are employed to brilliant effect in the more intimate, terrifying sequences. The background score is a character in itself, amplifying the eerie tension without ever overwhelming the narrative. It whispers, creaks, and crescendos precisely when needed, with the sound design adding a deeply immersive, tactile quality to the horror.
Sonakshi Sinha delivers a career-best performance, proving her mettle as a leading actor who can carry a film on her shoulders. She embodies Nikita Roy with a compelling mix of steely determination and fragile vulnerability. Her emotional arc—from grief-stricken sister to a woman confronting the impossible—is the bedrock of the film.
Paresh Rawal is perfectly cast as Amardev. He subverts expectations by playing the godman not as a raving fanatic, but with a calm, unnerving stillness. His performance is layered and menacing, keeping the audience—and Nikita—constantly guessing about whether he is a cunning charlatan or a vessel for something genuinely otherworldly.
Arjun Rampal makes a strong impact in his limited screen time, infusing Sanal with a passionate conviction that makes his demise feel genuinely impactful.
Suhail Nayyar provides the film’s much-needed heart and occasional comic relief as Jolly. He is relatable and authentic, serving as the audience’s anchor in the escalating madness and portraying a friend’s loyalty with great sincerity.
Nikita Roy is a resoundingly successful and intelligent supernatural thriller that proves Hindi cinema can produce genre films with both style and substance. Bolstered by strong performances—particularly a standout turn by Sonakshi Sinha—eerie visuals, and a tight, socially-relevant script, it keeps viewers engaged and unsettled from start to finish. While the climax may not fully deliver on its profound philosophical setup, the journey is so compelling that it leaves a lasting impression. Kussh S. Sinha announces himself as a promising new voice in direction, one who understands that the most potent horrors are those that challenge not just what we see, but what we believe.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
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