Strong Performances Can't Save Stilted Immigrant Drama
Anshuman Jha’s directorial debut, "Lord Curzon Ki Haveli," enters the cinematic landscape with the ambitions of a taut, locked-room mystery but ultimately falters due to a script that feels both unconvincing and underdeveloped. The film brings together a talented cast, including the ever-reliable Rasika Dugal and Arjun Mathur, but their strong performances are not enough to elevate a narrative that struggles to justify the intense anger and impulsive actions of its characters. While it aims to explore the complexities of the Indian immigrant experience in Britain, its portrayal feels more projected than authentic, resulting in a drama that never fully realizes its potential.
The story is set within the confines of a quaint cottage on the outskirts of London, where a newlywed Punjabi housewife, Ira (Rasika Dugal), and her stiff, British-Indian husband, Dr. Basuki Nath (Paresh Pahuja), are visiting friends. The hosts, Rohit (Arjun Mathur) and Sanya (Zoha Rahman), are strangely disinterested, creating a stilted and uncomfortable atmosphere from the outset. The dialogue is awkward, and the characters fail to connect, setting the stage for a night of simmering tension. The catalyst for the evening's drama is a large wooden box, which Rohit jokingly claims holds the body of Lord Curzon, a former viceroy of colonial India.
Cascade of Unconvincing Confessions
This morbid joke cracks open a Pandora's box of secrets, resentments, and confessions that tumble out over the course of one long, chaotic night. The film gives the most depth to Ira, who eloquently expresses the loneliness and disappointment of her loveless marriage to a man obsessed with being "more British than the British." The other characters' grievances, however, feel less earned. Rohit harbors a deep grudge against the British government, Sanya is a frustrated actor who blames the system for the lack of roles for brown people, and a Bangladeshi-British pizza delivery man is inexplicably pulled into the chaos.
Unfortunately, these motivations are not explored with sufficient depth to make the characters' subsequent actions believable. The script, penned by Bikas Ranjan Mishra, touches upon valid themes—such as the reality of second-generation Indians seeking spouses from home—but it fails to weave them into a compelling narrative. The result is a series of dramatic outbursts that feel triggered by flimsy pretexts rather than deep-seated psychological turmoil, leaving the audience to wonder if the entire conflict is simply fueled by alcohol consumed on an empty stomach.
Missed Opportunity for Nuanced Storytelling
The film is most successful when it allows its talented cast to shine. Rasika Dugal delivers the most resonant performance, creating a palpable sense of Ira's isolation and quiet desperation. Arjun Mathur packs a punch with what he is given, but his character's internal conflict could have been explored with much greater dramatic effect. Similarly, Paresh Pahuja commits to the role of the rigid and overly patriotic doctor, but the character remains a one-dimensional caricature.
Ultimately, "Lord Curzon Ki Haveli" feels like a significant missed opportunity. It possesses the components of a compelling indie film—a strong cast, an intriguing setup, and relevant themes—but it is let down by writing that lacks authenticity and emotional conviction. The attempt to blend dark comedy with high drama never quite lands, leaving the film stuck in a tonal limbo. Instead of a sharp critique of the immigrant experience, it offers a surface-level glance that fails to leave a lasting impression.
The Bottom Line
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