Mili Review: Janhvi Kapoor starrer is edgy survival story with lacklustre first half.

Name: Mili
Director: Mathukutty Xavier
Cast: Manoj Pahwa,Janhvi Kapoor,Sunny Kaushal
Rating: 3 / 5The PlotMathukutty Xavier’s 2019 Malayalam survival-thriller Helen is remade as Mili, starring Janhvi Kapoor in Dehradun, India. Mili (Janhvi Kapoor) is a diligent, focused, and dedicated girl who loves her dad (played by Manoj Pahwa). She works at a fast food restaurant to support herself and her father while dreaming of moving overseas. However, one fateful night she gets trapped in a refrigerator and fights for her life while her family members search for the missing child. The film shows what happens next.
Whats good?The film’s second half is its strongest because it makes you feel dread, worry, patience, grief, remorse, and more. Its high points are concentrated in the last 60 minutes. AR Rahman’s excellent background music enhances those many feelings. The Oscar-winning composer nails that crucial survival-drama element.Sunil Karthikeyan’s freezing shots show the main character’s agony. Apurwa Sondhi’s production design matches the film’s tone and enhances these frames.And what’s Not?First part, especially Mili’s life. The project’s genre and promise of thrill and mystery could have reduced the story. Mili takes time to build suspense in a survival drama. The director wants you to comprehend Mili’s world before taking you on her path of anguish and success so you can relate to her.True. However, writer Ritesh Shah, director Mathukutty Xavier, and editor Monisha Baldawa may have rearranged that section’s screenplay. The film could have been 10u201315 minutes shorter. While Rahman’s background music is great, his songs aren’t.PerformancesMili shows Janhvi Kapoor’s acting growth. An artist succeeds when you feel the titular character’s pain. Her film chemistry with her father, Manoj Pahwa, is great. Pahwa effortlessly portrays many emotions, making one wonder whether he can’t do anything on television. Sunny Kaushal provides a honest performance in his limited screen time, but Anuraag Arora makes you hate SI Satish Rawat, which speaks volumes about his performance. Sanjay Suri appears briefly yet powerfully. The film has a surprise cameo. Beware.ConclusionOverall, Mili is a honest endeavour that fails to make a great impression. However, the performances, particularly in the second half of the film, make it a watchable film.