Lord Curzon Ki Haveli Movie Review: Anshuman Jha Delivers A Smart, Psychological Mystery Set In A British Mansion That’s Suspenseful Yet Niche!
Movie Details
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Title: Lord Curzon Ki Haveli
Director: Anshuman Jha
Cast: Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, Paresh Pahuja, Zoha Rahman
Language: Hindi-English Mix
Available On: Theatrical Release
Runtime: 148 Minutes
Genre: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Drama
Lord Curzon Ki Haveli Movie Review (2025)
“Lord Curzon Ki Haveli” is not your typical Bollywood thriller filled with loud music, jump scares, or masala dialogues. This film, directed by Anshuman Jha, is a slow-burning, intelligent psychological mystery that unfolds inside a Yorkshire mansion — a space that hides more secrets than its walls can hold.
The movie stars Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, Paresh Pahuja, and Zoha Rahman, and takes you on a gripping yet intimate journey that explores identity, morality, Indian diaspora struggles, and human complexity — all packed inside 108 intense minutes.
Plot Summary
In the picturesque yet isolated countryside of Yorkshire, we meet Rohit (Arjun Mathur) and Sanya (Zoha Rahman) — a live-in couple enjoying their luxurious mansion life. Things seem passionate and picture-perfect until they receive a visit from Ira (Rasika Dugal) and her husband, Dr. Basukinath (Paresh Pahuja).
Sanya invites Ira, her customer-turned-friend from the bar where she works, for a casual get-together. But soon, the evening turns dark, weird, and suffocating.
As they sit together, a locked wooden chest in the living room becomes the center of attention. Rohit jokingly claims it contains the dead body of Lord Curzon — a name symbolically linked to British colonial arrogance. What starts as a joke quickly turns into an obsession for Dr. Basuki, who swears he can hear knocking from inside the chest.
From there, things escalate — secrets are revealed, relationships twist, and truth becomes stranger than fiction. When a Truth or Dare game begins later in the night, it triggers chaos, betrayal, and unexpected psychological unraveling.
Script & Screenplay Analysis
The screenplay of Lord Curzon Ki Haveli is written with subtle brilliance. It’s not about jump scares or ghostly spirits — it’s about the dark corners of human nature. The film intelligently weaves social commentary on:
- Illegal immigrants,
- Indian identity abroad,
- Class and cultural inferiority, and
- The obsession of wanting to belong in a foreign world.
The story looks deep into how some Indians, once abroad, start despising their own roots while desperately wanting Western validation. This theme, wrapped in mystery and black humor, gives the film a unique voice.
The dialogues, mostly in English with a natural Hindi mix, feel authentic and organic. However, for casual moviegoers, the narrative might feel slow or even confusing at times, especially in the first half. The second half, though, rewards your patience with unexpected twists and solid character revelations.
Performances
Rasika Dugal as Ira
Rasika Dugal once again proves why she’s one of India’s finest actresses. Her ability to shift from calm to chaos within seconds is mesmerizing. She makes Ira both mysterious and relatable. Easily, the highlight of the film.
Paresh Pahuja as Dr. Basukinath
Paresh plays the “weirdo doctor” with incredible restraint. His character could’ve easily turned over-the-top, but he keeps it hauntingly real. Watch out for his eyes — they tell more stories than words could.
Arjun Mathur as Rohit
Arjun, known for Made in Heaven, fits perfectly into the role of a charming yet morally grey man. His chemistry with Zoha Rahman feels natural, and his gradual unmasking as the story progresses is handled well.
Zoha Rahman as Sanya
Zoha gets a smaller but emotionally significant part. She brings vulnerability and elegance to her role. Even in limited screen time, she leaves a soft impact.
Direction & Technical Aspects
Anshuman Jha, after his powerful directorial debut Lakadbaggha, returns with a completely different flavor. Here, he trades action for atmosphere, and adrenaline for intellect.
His direction reflects maturity and confidence — he never spoon-feeds the audience. Instead, he lets you feel the unease of every frame. The tight camera angles inside the mansion, the dim lighting, and the clever use of silence create a haunting mood without a single ghost.
The pacing is intentionally slow — not boring, but meditative. Each scene feels like a psychological puzzle, asking you to think beyond the surface.
Music & Background Score
Interestingly, Lord Curzon Ki Haveli doesn’t rely much on loud background music. In fact, it uses silence as a tool of tension. Even the few moments of classical pieces, including Beethoven, blend beautifully into the atmosphere. The BGM never distracts — it enhances.
Cinematography & Editing
The film’s visuals are stunning. The mansion becomes a character in itself — beautiful yet suffocating. Every shadow, hallway, and window adds to the mystery. The editing is crisp and thoughtful, though the first act could’ve been slightly tighter.
Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ What’s Good
- Rasika Dugal and Paresh Pahuja’s phenomenal performances
- Smart and layered storytelling
- Subtle yet powerful social commentary
- Unique atmosphere and cinematography
- No over-dramatic dialogues or clichés
❌ What’s Bad
- The niche, slow-burn storytelling might not appeal to the masses
- The first half feels slightly disjointed
- English-heavy dialogues may alienate some Hindi-speaking audiences
Final Verdict
Lord Curzon Ki Haveli is not a film for everyone — and that’s what makes it special. It’s not designed to entertain the “weekend popcorn crowd.” It’s made for audiences who love cinema that challenges your perception and makes you think long after it’s over.
If you enjoyed films like Talaash, Kahaani, or The Invitation, this one deserves a spot on your watchlist. It’s clever, dark, witty, and unsettling in all the right ways.
Verdict:
A slow-burn psychological thriller with a deep message — intriguing but not commercial.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Should You Watch It?
✅ Watch it if:
- You enjoy psychological dramas & mystery thrillers
- You appreciate subtle storytelling and character-driven plots
- You want something intelligent and different from mainstream cinema
❌ Skip it if:
- You prefer fast-paced, masala entertainment
- You dislike long conversations and symbolic writing
Final Word
Lord Curzon Ki Haveli stands as another bold experiment in Indian cinema — an intelligent indie film that values subtext over spectacle. It might not roar at the box office, but it whispers loud truths about identity, guilt, and belonging — making it worth your time.
