by Movie Details: Chhorii 2 Movie Review and Details
- Title: Chhorii 2
- Release Date: April 11, 2025
- Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama
- Director: Vishal Furia
- Producers: Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Vikram Malhotra, Jack Davis
- Cast: Nushrratt Bharuccha (Sakshi), Soha Ali Khan (Daasi Maa), Gashmeer Mahajani (Samar), Hardika Sharma (Ishani), Saurabh Goyal (Rajbir), Pallavi Ajay (Rani), Kuldeep Sareen
- Runtime: Approximately 2 hours
- Language: Hindi
- Production Companies: T-Series, Abundantia Entertainment, Psych, Tamarisk Lane Production
- Filming Period: November 30, 2022, to February 8, 2023
- IMDb Rating: 4.5/10
Plot Summary:
Chhorii 2 picks up seven years after the first film, where Sakshi (Nushrratt Bharuccha) escaped a village steeped in female infanticide and patriarchal oppression. Now living in a city with her daughter Ishani (Hardika Sharma) and Rani (Pallavi Ajay), Sakshi works as a teacher. Ishani has a rare condition that causes her skin to burn under sunlight, confining her to darkened spaces. The peace is shattered when Ishani is kidnapped by villagers from the same cursed location, led by the enigmatic Daasi Maa (Soha Ali Khan), a supernatural figure serving a patriarchal village chief (Pradhan Ji). The cult intends to use Ishani in a demonic ritual involving child marriage and sacrifice to a cave-dwelling entity. Sakshi, aided by police inspector Samar (Gashmeer Mahajani), returns to the village’s eerie sugarcane fields and an underground labyrinth to save her daughter. The narrative explores themes of misogyny, child marriage, and societal oppression, set against a backdrop of horror.
Review: Chhorii 2 aims to blend social commentary with horror, following the template of its predecessor, a Hindi remake of the Marathi film Lapachhapi (2017). While the first film was praised for its atmospheric horror and social message, the sequel has received mixed to negative reviews, with critics and audiences divided over its execution, pacing, and scare factor.
Strengths:
- Performances: Nushrratt Bharuccha delivers a standout performance as Sakshi, portraying a fierce, emotionally driven mother. Her ability to convey rage, fear, and determination is widely praised, with netizens calling her the “soul of the franchise”. Soha Ali Khan’s portrayal of Daasi Maa is a highlight, bringing subtlety and menace to a complex, supernatural character, marking a strong comeback for the actress. Young Hardika Sharma is competent as Ishani, though some note her dialogue delivery feels sing-song at times.
- Production Values: The film excels in its technical aspects. The cinematography by Anshul Chobey captures the claustrophobic underground tunnels and eerie sugarcane fields effectively, creating a foreboding atmosphere. The sound design and background score by Adrija Gupta enhance the mood, though they don’t always translate to genuine scares. The production design of the subterranean lair is a standout, symbolizing societal imprisonment.
- Social Commentary: The film addresses serious issues like child marriage, misogyny, and toxic masculinity. A notable scene where young boys objectify a girl highlights the early indoctrination of harmful gender norms, resonating with viewers. The parallels between Sakshi and Daasi Maa feeding Ishani soup—one nurturing, one manipulative—offer a compelling metaphor for competing maternal influences.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of Scares: Critics widely agree that Chhorii 2 fails to deliver as a horror film. The jump scares are predictable, and supernatural elements, like ghoulish children and Daasi Maa’s charred alter ego, lose their impact quickly. The film is described as “frustrating more than frightening,” with repetitive scenes in dimly lit corridors diluting the tension.
- Weak Script and Pacing: The narrative is criticized for being heavy-handed with its social messaging, often at the expense of coherent storytelling. The second half drags with repetitive sequences, and the climax feels rushed and unresolved, leaving some viewers confused about whether the film is complete. The script’s reliance on familiar tropes and lack of originality makes it feel like a “cash grab” compared to the impactful original.
- Underdeveloped Characters: While the leads shine, supporting characters like Samar (Gashmeer Mahajani) are underutilized, serving as plot conveniences rather than fully realized figures. The villainous Pradhan Ji and the supernatural lore are poorly explained, reducing their menace.
- Overbearing Messaging: The film’s focus on social issues like child marriage and patriarchy overshadows the horror, making it feel like a “lecture” rather than a cohesive genre piece. Critics note that the allegory of patriarchal control is heavy-handed and lacks nuance.
Audience Reception: Audience reactions on platforms like X are polarized. Some fans praise the film’s unique visuals, strong performances, and non-predictable storyline, with comments like, “It’s not the same typical movie… cinematography and story execution exceptional”. Others lament its lack of scares and narrative coherence, with one user stating, “Bad acting, worse VFX, and a non-existent script… it should have never been conceived”. Many felt the film deserved a theatrical release for its potential to draw horror fans, but mixed reviews hurt its impact.
Critical Ratings:
- Times of India: Praises the visuals and performances but notes pacing issues.
- Rotten Tomatoes: Mixed, with critics calling it a “frustrating” experience that fails to scare.
- Scroll.in: Highlights the production design but criticizes the lack of surprise.
- Koimoi: Harshly critiques the repetitive story and weak execution, rating it low.
- NDTV: Gives 2/5 stars, calling it a “tedious exercise” that forgets to be horrifying.
- Filmfare, OTT Play, Firstpost: Rate it 2.5/5, appreciating the intent but noting execution flaws.
- Rediff.com: Rates 1.5/5, calling it a “lost cause” due to its unscary nature.
- Hollywood Reporter India: Describes it as a “curated museum exhibit of go-girl tropes”.
Verdict: Chhorii 2 is a visually striking but flawed sequel that struggles to balance its ambitious social commentary with effective horror. While Nushrratt Bharuccha and Soha Ali Khan deliver compelling performances, and the production values are impressive, the film’s weak script, sluggish pacing, and lack of genuine scares disappoint fans of the original. It works best for viewers who enjoy atmospheric horror with a social message and can overlook narrative shortcomings. The open-ended climax hints at a potential Chhorii 3, but the sequel’s mixed reception suggests the franchise needs stronger writing to regain its footing. Watch it on Amazon Prime Video for a decent, if not chilling, horror drama, but temper expectations compared to the first film.
Recommendation: Ideal for fans of Nushrratt Bharuccha or socially charged horror, but those seeking intense scares may find it lacking. Best watched at night with a good sound system to enhance the atmosphere.
Note: If you’d like me to generate a chart summarizing critic ratings or audience sentiments, please let me know!
