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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 30: The moment the lights dim and the screen fills with the grim façade of a snow-bound British manor, there’s a promise of something out of the ordinary. In “Lord Curzon Ki Haveli”, director-actor Anshuman Jha stakes his claim to the indie-thriller lane, one part black comedy, one part claustrophobic whodunit. Starring Rasika Dugal, Arjun Mathur and Paresh Pahuja, the film sets up a high-concept dinner-party scenario that descends rapidly into secrets, tension and the unexpected.
At least, that’s the pitch. The reality? A stylish brew that occasionally fizzles, striving for Hitchcock-adjacent atmospheric jolts, but hamstrung by spots of inert writing and pacing that drags its mantle. Yet for all its unevenness, there’s plenty to admire: crisp performances, an intriguing setup, and a mood that lingers.
What the movie is about
The story centres on four Indian friends living in the UK who meet at the remote manor named after the infamous colonial figure, Lord Curzon. Rohit (Arjun Mathur) and his girlfriend Sanya (Zoha Rahman) arrive at the mansion hosted by Ira (Rasika Dugal) and her husband Dr Basukinath (Paresh Pahuja). What begins as casual banter over drinks and witty digressions gradually turns unnerving when Rohit reveals that a corpse is stowed in his car trunk. From here, the game is afoot: tensions flare, past grievances surface, loyalties shift, and the night descends into bizarre territory.
Set largely within the confines of a single location, the film leans into chamber-drama dynamics. The interplay of cultural identity (the desi diaspora in the UK), class and the haunted echoes of the past provides thematic undercurrents. At its best, it carries a brisk undercurrent of dark humour and satire—mocking expatriate pretensions, colonial legacies and the gulf between polished lives and raw nerves. The trailer promised this blend of suspense and satire, and for the most part, the film delivers.
What works – The positives
Firstly, the acting is a notch above. Rasika Dugal stands out, imbuing Ira with a quiet menace and intelligence; she’s the anchor while things spiral around her. The supporting cast (especially Mathur and Pahuja) bring layered performances: the urbane host with secrets, the husband trying to maintain control while losing it.
Secondly, the mise-en-scène is effective. Using a singular, isolated manor and a small cast, the film creates a pressure-cooker atmosphere. The bilingual script (Hindi & English) adds authenticity to the expat milieu. Reviews have noted the novelty of setting a dark comedy thriller in this mould.
Thirdly, the humour (when it lands) is sharp. There are lines and situations that poke fun at cultural chasms, fake sophistication and the inertia of privileged lives. One reviewer remarks how the film “starts on a very interesting note”.
Where it stumbles – The negatives
For all its promise, the film doesn’t quite sustain the momentum. A recurring note in criticism: the writing weakens after the interval, the suspense slackens and the final act doesn’t fully deliver the punch. As one Hindi review puts it: “पर कमजोर राइटिंग के कारण अंत तक बांधे रखने में सफल नहीं हो पाती।” (Due to weak writing the film fails to keep you hooked till the end).
Further, some of the twists feel predictable, and the character arcs don’t always justify the build-up. The film seems to relish its setup more than its payoff — a fault common in thrillers that get bogged down in theatrics rather than tight plotting. The review by The Hollywood Reporter India notably describes it as a “Hitchcock-sized mess.”
Finally, given the small cast and single location, there’s a risk of monotony. For viewers expecting a roller-coaster of shocks, the pacing might feel languid. Some scenes linger too long, some dialogues trip over their own cleverness.
Commercial and industry snapshot
Released on 10 October 2025, Lord Curzon Ki Haveli entered theatres with modest expectations. While budget figures are not fully confirmed, one credible source estimates roughly ₹6 crore. Box-office reports suggest a disappointing return: according to one tracker, it pulled in a lifetime India gross of only ₹1.10–1.25 crore. Another industry site reports a mere ₹0.08 crore for the opening weekend. Clearly, it under-performed significantly — either due to limited release, lack of promotion or word-of-mouth that failed to ignite.
From a PR angle, this is both a caution and a talking point: a film with ambition, strong cast and distinct voice, yet commercially invisible. For the makers, the question will be whether this becomes a cult favorite down the line or simply a misfired experiment.
Latest buzz & comments
In the days following the release, social-media chatter has been modest. Among cine-buff circles, there’s appreciation for the ambition: people praising Dugal’s performance, the setting, and the attempt at an Indian take on the chamber thriller. On the flip side, several viewers have voiced disappointment at the flat second half and unresolved threads.
One comment on a Facebook thread of The Hollywood Reporter India: “You can see why Lord Curzon Ki Haveli sounds attractive on paper… regardless of the budget.” That sums up the larger sentiment: good idea, mixed execution.
PR-style wrap-up (with a hint of tongue-in-cheek)
So, what should you take away from Lord Curzon Ki Haveli? Well, if you’re in the mood for something off-beat, smartly acted, and different from the usual song-and-dance Bollywood fare — yes, it merits a watch. Think of it as a dinner party gone outrageously wrong, with social commentary, cultural jabs and a corpse in the trunk (yes, they go there). The one-location aesthetic, the bilingual interplay, the dark humour — these all hint at a brave filmmaker saying: “Let’s try something new.”
On the other hand, yes, you might find yourself tapping your wristwatch in the second half, wishing the suspense would sharpen. Yes, the box‐office numbers suggest the mainstream didn’t order in aplomb. And yes, despite its stylised setup, it doesn’t quite stick the landing.
But isn’t that what makes it interesting? Films that risk something often don’t succeed in the traditional sense, yet they invite conversation. For the team behind it — especially Anshuman Jha, venturing into a direction for the first time — this is less about fiscal triumph and more about stake-claiming: “We can make a different kind of Indian film.” From that lens, Lord Curzon Ki Haveli is worth a salute.
Final verdict
Verdict: A compelling, though imperfect, cocktail of dark comedy and thriller.
Should you watch it? If you like intelligent, dialogue-driven films with an offbeat flavour, yes. If you expect flat-out commercial thrills, perhaps adjust expectations.
Box-office status: With an estimated budget of ~₹6 crore and its lifetime gross hovering around ₹1.10-1.25 crore (by one source), it didn’t light up the charts.
Critical response: Mixed-to-positive on acting and concept; critiques aimed at writing and pacing.
All told — it’s not flawless, but in a year of formulaic releases, a film like this which dares to be different deserves to be seen, discussed and remembered (even if it doesn’t clean up at the box‐office). If nothing else, next time someone asks if Indian cinema can attempt a chamber thriller in the mould of Hitchcock with desi flavour — you can say, “Well, we tried. And this is what it looked like.”
