The Girl on the train(2021) directed by Ribhu Dasgupta
Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Kirti Kulhari, Avinash Tiwary, Aditi Rao Hydari and Tota Roy Chowdhary.
So how does one ruin a best selling novel in its Indian cinematic adaptation? Hmm let me think, the direction is first rate, the screenplay-editing- technically everything is fine then how? Simple, just cast an incompetent artist in the titular role, goal accomplished. Story ruined, perfect case of imperfect casting. Can you imagine Neetu Singh as Umrao Jaan or Jaya Bhaduri in Satyam Shivam Sundaram or maybe Sonam Kapoor in Tumhari Sulu? Add Miss Chopra to that list.
The story is full of intrigue, for any mystery genre lover this is without a doubt a scrumptious buffet spread to binge on. A young woman battling alcoholism and amnesia along with recent miscarriage, divorce and an inactive job finds solace in an voyeuristic obsession that turns complicated after an unexpected murder!
Now she has to not only prove her own innocence but also nab the real culprit before it’s too late. Quite a chilling and interesting storyline that is, and filmed entirely in the lovely locales of London it manages to create that mystical mysterious environment.
Technically it’s a well made movie, at only two hours runtime it’s well placed, the recurrent flashbacks do not interfere with your viewing, it flows smoothly. Dasgupta’s direction is praiseworthy, as the focus is entirely dedicated to one basic plot with the only distraction being the unwanted songs! Was there really a need for those loud Punjabi DJ songs? Who’s made it mandatory to include songs in a Hindi suspense movie?
The biggest flaw as mentioned earlier is the leading lady, now Chopra isn’t a bad actor but she lacks versatility. This role is thoroughly complex and has various shades to it and she falls flat trying very very hard to move her nerves and convey through a dead pan non expressive pretty face ! Her dialogue delivery, stiff body language and overall approach to the role is unsatisfactory, better casting would’ve been the eternally typecast Kangana Ranaut or Tapsee Pannu, they are tailor-made for such lost in the woods roles, quite literally. 
Kulhari is sincere in her performance of the investigating officer. But the most noticeable and impressive is the pristine beauty Aditi Rao Hydari, what a beautiful face she has! Not to take away her acting prowess but that classic timeless quality about her feminine personality and those deeply expressive eyes coupled with lips that unite like rose petals one can’t help but get enamoured by her gorgeousness.
Unfortunately one doesn’t feel the same way about the movie, unfortunately ‘creatively’ ruined by the leading lady. ⭐️⭐️
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