Dhaval Roy of The Times of India rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "You may enjoy the movie for its performances, but if suspense thrillers are your jam, you may feel deceived".[6] Grace Cyril of India Today rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Selling scripts like these as top-notch thrillers starring superstars is the biggest dhokha with the audience! The highlight of the movie is just the climax. If suspense thrillers are your thing, give it a go. Also for Aparshakti and Khushalii's performances".[7] Deepa Gahlot of Rediff rated the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "At no point in Dhoka: Round D Corner does the tension build up as it goes quickly from thriller to unintentional comedy".[8]
What lies round the corner in this slipshod hostage drama is a whole bunch of lies. That is something that the title makes no bones about. What it does not tell us, however, is that the acts of dhokha being perpetrated aren't confined to the plot. They infect the film, too. Dhokha Round D Corner, in cinematic terms, dishes out deception all around.
Much has already been said about the quality of the acting in this film. It would be unfair to blame the cast for failing to paper over the numerous creases that mar the script. The film subjects not only the audience and the actors but also the medium and the genre to a massive dhokha they could have done without.
The performance by Madhavan and Aparshakti are good and convincing, keeping us constantly on the edge of our seats wondering who, exactly, is the victim of the 'dhokha' which means bluff, is it Saachi who accuses the husband of drugging her, or is he the loyal husband waiting for his hostage wife to walk out of her captivity and into his arms?
The film is worthy of one watch at least for the wonderful performance of Aparshakti Khurana who has the most layered role among all the three though none of them are straightforward and open either. The final dhokha is reserved for the audience steered all along to find out what happens in the end. However, nothing really happens and perhaps the one captured is the one who is the only innocent character. Keep waiting for the sequel if you must but, looking at this one, I feel it will not amount to much.
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