Critics’ Verdict: ‘October’ Is Indeed a ‘Hatke’ Love Story

Is it a thumbs up or a thumbs down for the Varun Dhawan-starrer?

Varun Dhawan in October.

(Photo courtesy: YouTube)

Film: October
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Banita Sandhu, Geetanjali Rao
Director: Shoojit Sircar

Excerpts from reviews of October.

“Sircar steers the deadly serious spiritual quest with an air of briskness and purpose. Purely in terms of craft, <em>October </em>is many notches above the average Hindi movie, in which scenes are lined up one after the other like train coaches. There is both rhythm and flow to the scenes, and the observational camerawork yields many lovely standalone moments... <em>October</em>’s biggest risk is the casting of box-office magnet Varun Dhawan against type. Dhawan has the look and body language of an impatient young man going someplace, and his boyish charm compensates for his inability to convey an inner life. Dhawan’s dialogue delivery isn’t varied enough to match Dan’s brooding nature, but the actor’s sincerity overlaps with Dan’s need to be useful.”&nbsp;

Nandini Ramnath, <i><a href="https://scroll.in/article/875444/october-film-review-some-high-notes-in-a-downbeat-drama-about-love-and-duty">Scroll</a></i>

“Calling <i>October</i> only a love story will be injustice to its resilient tone. It’s a battle, both inter-personal and intra-personal. It’s not about logic or wise decisions, it’s about how far can you go for the things you believe in. It’s about finding that one thing which defines us. It’s about realising that we’re more than moving robots or talking heads...&nbsp; October is like that small child who suddenly pulls your shirt and gives a toothy smile when you look back. It’s clichéd, but Shoojit Sircar has indeed set poetry in motion.”&nbsp;

Rohit Vats, <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/october-movie-review-we-all-are-fighting-like-varun-dhawan-and-winning/story-oD4znXFhA2Kz3kp7XdeTkI.html">Hindustan Times</a>

“In the long run, this film might hold a special place in the mind of anyone who has rescued to be rescued. Some call it love, and others call it life. While movies regularly pivot on those who use heartbreak to find passion, <i>October </i>meditates on those who might never discover the difference between the two feelings. And the two spaces that wear these feelings. For, in <i>October</i>, hotels as well as hospitals wear heartbreak as well as passion.”

Rahul Desai, <i><a href="http://www.filmcompanion.in/october-movie-review-the-seasons-within-rahul-desai/">Film Companion</a></i>

“Almost every character leaves an impression. It’s because even the most miniscule parts have been treated with respect, with good actors stepping in to perform them. I can’t shake off Dan’s mother and the hospital nurse (Nimmi Raphael) from my mind. Sandhu makes the most unusual and brave debut. Gitanjali Rao is luminous and affecting as her mother. This perhaps is the most complicated role that has come Dhawan’s way—of being a profound fool—and he handles it ably specially the way he stands tall as the outside support for Shiuli’s family, all to search for the answer to a question that no one thinks is any big deal.”

Namrata Joshi, <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/october-review-that-sad-autumnal-feeling/article23516861.ece">The Hindu</a>