Love Hostel Review: A layered though-provoking drama led by a charismatic cast

Love Hostel Movie Review Rating: 4/5

After making his directorial debut with neo noir Gurgaon (2017), cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Shanker Raman brings his next outing Love Hostel (2022), which is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Drishyam Films. The trailer for the film received a rousing response from the audience. Now, it is time to find out if the whole film, which is streaming on ZEE5, is worth watching or not.

STORY: Set in Haryana, Love Hostel revolves around a newlywed interfaith couple, Ahmed Shokeen (Vikrant Massey) and Jyoti Dilawar (Sanya Malhotra), who are on the run from a merciless man with a disfigured face, Viraj Singh Dagar (Bobby Deol). Dagar has been hired by the traditionalist, ruthless local MLA, Kamla Dilawar (Swaroopa Ghosh), who also happens to be the grandmother of the girl. What happens next forms the crux of the story.

HIGHS: One of the major highlights of the film is a set of impressive performances from the entire cast. Vikrant Massey and Sanya Malhotra as an absconding couple deliver top-notch performances. The duo never let the fear and vulnerability disappear from their faces, even in the happiest moments.

Bobby Deol, sporting a thick salt and pepper beard and deep scars on his face, is brutal in every frame. After Aashram, which marked his debut in the digital space, the actor has delivered yet another powerful performance in a negative role. Actress Swaroopa Ghosh is a delight to watch. Director Shanker Raman shines in his consistently gritty storytelling. The cat-and-mouse change sequences are first class and filmed with frenzied clarity.

LOWS: Love Hostel is a fast-paced film. It is, of course, a good thing. All thrillers should be fast-faced. But in the case of Love Hostel, everything seems to be happening in a flash and the characters feel a little underdeveloped more often than not. The film is a mere 100-minutes long. Another 20 minutes could have made it more provocative and compelling.

FINAL VERDICT: Love Hostel does not really break any new ground for the genre, but this violent thriller powered by intense performances from Bobby Deol, Vikrant Massey, and Sanya Malhotra keeps you hooked to your screens for most of it. It ends up going above and beyond its promise. Filmmaker Shanker Raman’s execution is brilliant. I am going with 4 stars.

Watch Love Hostel trailer:

Movie Credits:

Banner: Red Chillies Entertainment, Drishyam Films

Director: Shanker Raman

Cast: Bobby Deol, Vikrant Massey, Sanya Malhotra, etc.

Platform: ZEE5

Runtime: 100 Minutes

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