Genre: Action/Thriller
Language: Hindi
Release Date: 2024
Film Overview and Production:
Vedaa is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Zee Studios, Emmay Entertainment, and JA Entertainment. The film stars John Abraham, Sharvari in the titular role, Abhishek Banerjee, and Tamannaah Bhatia. Inspired by true events, the movie was released on 15 August 2024. The filming process began on 20 June 2023 in Rajasthan and concluded in Kashmir in December 2023. However, the film faced significant delays due to issues with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Despite the filmmakers submitting their application a month prior, the CBFC did not screen the film until 22 June 2024, leading to further delays and modifications before it was finally granted a U/A certificate on 6 August 2024, with a final runtime of 150 minutes.
Music and Soundtrack:
The soundtrack of Vedaa was composed by Amaal Mallik, Manan Bhardwaj, Yuva, and the duo Raghav–Arjun, with the background score completed by Kartik Shah. The film’s music was released in stages, starting with the first single, “Holiyaan,” on 3 August 2024, followed by “Mummy Ji” on 7 August, and “Zaroorat Se Zyada” on 10 August. The entire album, featuring six tracks, was made available to the public on 13 August 2024, just days before the film’s release.
Critical Reception – Positive Reviews:
Rishabh Suri of the Hindustan Times praised Vedaa for being a thought-provoking thriller that delivers a hard-hitting message on the caste system. He noted that the film marks a significant departure for director Nikkhil Advani, blending action with heavy themes such as casteism and honour killings. Despite its flaws, including unrealistic character survivals and weak music, Suri commended John Abraham’s performance and particularly highlighted Sharvari’s portrayal of the resilient titular character, culminating in a powerful climactic court battle. Similarly, Sreeparna Sengupta of The Times of India gave the film 3.5/5 stars, lauding its compelling narrative and high-octane action sequences. She praised both John Abraham’s physicality and Sharvari’s emotional depth, making the film an engaging watch despite some predictable tropes.
Critical Reception – Mixed and Negative Reviews:
Lachmi Deb Roy of First Post gave Vedaa 3/5 stars, describing it as a “flawed but brave” film that tackles the pressing issue of Dalit rights. Although she appreciated the compelling narrative, she felt that excessive violence diminished the film’s social message. While John Abraham’s performance was deemed predictable, Roy praised Sharvari and Abhishek Banerjee for bringing depth to their roles. On the other hand, Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV India rated the film 2.5/5 stars, acknowledging the film’s ability to occasionally rise above its flaws. He appreciated the film for centring on a young Dalit woman’s struggle for dignity and equality, though he noted that its reliance on genre tropes and a somewhat diluted narrative weakened its overall impact.
Critical Reception – Further Critiques:
Sana Farzeen of India Today also rated Vedaa 2.5/5 stars, criticizing its slow pace and underdeveloped character arcs, particularly in Sharvari’s role. She noted that despite the film’s noble intentions of addressing caste issues in India, it lacked impactful moments and emotional depth, making it a forgettable experience. Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express was even more critical, giving the film 2/5 stars. She commented that while Sharvari delivered a strong performance, the film ultimately fell into the conventional Bollywood trope of sidelining its female lead in favour of male heroism. Gupta felt that despite some poignant moments, the predictable plot and character arcs diluted the film’s impact, leaving the audience questioning whether the titular character’s journey was truly given the focus it deserved.
