Review of Gujarati Movie “Bhram”
Newz Daddy Review in One Line: “Bhram” will give you a lot of Bhrams. The movie will be loved by theatre goers, youngsters.
Newz Daddy Ratings: 3*/ 5
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller,
Lead Star Cast: Mitra Gadhvi as Mehul, Sonali Lele Desai as Maya, Nishma Soni as Shraddha, Abhinay Banker as Inspector Rakesh,
Writer and Director: Pallav Parikh
Produced By: City Shore
Music: Darshan Shah
DOP: Sree Coomer
Language: Gujarati
Run Time: 131 minutes, i.e. 2 hours 11 minutes
Recommended: Yes,
Also Read:
Review of the Gujarati Movie “Jai Mataji – Let’s Rock”
Review of the Gujarati Movie “Shastra”
Critical Review: Gujarati Movie “Bhram” –
Let’s Discuss The Plot
“Bhram” is a Gujarati psychological thriller that blurs the line between illusion and reality. The film revolves around Maya, a woman suffering from dementia, who finds herself in the middle of a horrifying situation — her daughter, Shraddha, has been murdered. But with Maya’s fading memory, no one knows what’s real and what’s imagined. Is Maya the murderer? Is Mehul, her caretaker, hiding something? Or is the truth far more twisted?
Let’s Talk About the Story
The storyline of Bhram is tightly packed with suspense and psychological tension. It begins with a sense of confusion and slowly peels off layers as the mystery deepens. The film cleverly builds up an environment where the lady, like Maya, struggles to distinguish between truth and illusion. This uncertainty becomes the emotional engine of the film.
The script explores memory loss, guilt, grief, and the impact of mental illness on perception. The story, though limited to a single house, never feels claustrophobic, thanks to its unpredictable developments.
How About The Performance
Sonali Lele Desai steals the show as Maya, delivering a deeply emotional and convincing performance of a woman grappling with dementia. Her expressions and emotional breakdowns feel raw and authentic. Her facial expression and timing of the dialogues are exceptional. Her performance keeps the audience emotionally engaged with her all the time throughout the movie.
Mitra Gadhvi, as Mehul, strikes a good balance between being calm and suspicious, which suits the role of a possibly deceptive caretaker. He has delivered one of the most difficult roles. He is able to create doubts in the audience’s mind about his character as a caretaker, and that is what his job was in this movie. This is one of the top performances of Mitra Gadhi as in my opinion.
Nishma Soni, as Shraddha, makes a powerful impact despite limited screen time, while Abhinay Banker, playing the investigative officer, brings intensity and realism to the scenes. He is able to create anger in the minds of the audience by his ruthless behaviour as Inspector Rakesh.
The supporting cast, including Hetal Gautami, adds texture to the story.
Now Let’s Talk About the Captain of the Ship
After his critically acclaimed film Hu Iqbal, director Pallav Parikh once again proves his strength in storytelling. He handles a sensitive topic like dementia with depth and care, and layers it with suspense. His approach is cinematic yet subtle, making you think, guess, and doubt everything you see on screen. His direction ensures that even with limited locations, the film doesn’t lose momentum or engagement.
Shot mostly inside a house, the film makes excellent use of lighting and camera angles to reflect Maya’s mental state. The cinematography by the crew maintains a sense of unease and tension throughout. Low light, narrow spaces, and close-up shots effectively portray claustrophobia and confusion, complementing the film’s psychological tone.
The screenplay is tightly woven. There are no unnecessary scenes or distractions. It keeps the audience guessing, giving out small clues and red herrings along the way. The transitions between hallucinations and reality are smooth, making it difficult to predict the outcome. Some viewers may find the first 15–20 minutes slow, but once the suspense kicks in, the narrative grips you till the very end.
Positive Points
- Unique storyline based on mental illness and illusion, a rarity in Gujarati cinema
- Outstanding performance by Sonali Lele Desai and Mitra Gadhvi
- Well-crafted direction by Pallav Parikh
- Engaging screenplay with unexpected twists
- Effective background score, especially the haunting “Bhram, Bhram” theme
- First psychological thriller of its kind in the Gujarati industry, a great attempt to give something new to the Gujarati audience.
Negative Points
- A slow start — the buildup takes time, and the movie seems a bit lengthy.
- Some viewers may find it mentally heavy due to its psychological depth.
- Limited location might not appeal to viewers looking for visual variety.
- The ending may feel open-ended or abstract to those expecting a straightforward resolution.
- The Movie may not feel engaging to the masala kind of movie lovers, youngsters.
Newz Daddy’s Final Thoughts
“Bhram” is not just a film; it’s a psychological experience. It’s bold, layered, and thought-provoking. In a regional cinema space that often relies on rom-coms and family dramas, Bhram stands out as a courageous attempt to introduce a new genre to Gujarati audiences. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly questioning — “Did it happen, or was it just an illusion?”
If you love mind-bending mysteries like Inception or Shutter Island, Bhram will leave you impressed. It’s a must-watch for thriller lovers, and a milestone in Gujarati cinema.