On its first day at the box office, the Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi starrer ‘Merry Christmas’ commenced its journey with a modest opening, collecting just Rs 2.55 crore.
In his latest venture, “Merry Christmas,” director Sriram Raghavan, renowned for his mastery in crafting intense thrillers, departs slightly from the brisk storytelling pace seen in Andhadhun. Instead, he delicately treads the balance between a leisurely and pressing narrative, blending the philosophical with the provocative, and seamlessly interweaving the sophisticated with the exhilarating. “Merry Christmas” emerges as a thought-provoking enigma, maintaining a firm hold on the audience’s attention throughout.
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The Trailer: Merry Christmas
In the Merry Christmas trailer, Sriram Raghavan has put his signature spin to the traditional structure of romance, as suspense, seduction, and surprise await the audience. A simple chance meeting becomes a full-blown obsession between two strangers, which has increasingly dangerous consequences. The treatment of the bilingual film is very much in the neo-noir zone, something that has not been attempted on the big screen before.
Unlikely Pairing in “Merry Christmas”: Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi’s Dual-Version Venture
Titled “Merry Christmas,” the dual-version film features the unlikely screen pairing of Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi, drawing inspiration from Gallic crime fiction writer Frederic Dard’s book, Le Monte-charge. The French title, ‘dumbwaiter,’ literally translates to a freight elevator and is known in English as “Bird in a Cage.” Set in the Christian community of 1980s Bombay, the film skillfully weaves together the themes of movement, life, and anticipation.
Intricate Plot Dynamics: Movement, Life, and Anticipation in 1980s Bombay
Opening with a split screen showcasing two mixer-grinders, one grinding chillies and lentils, the other tablets, the film cleverly conceals dark secrets that unfold the facets of obsessive love gone astray. The controlled momentum and occasional deliberate lack of pace contribute to the film’s hypnotic quality, enhancing anticipation and foreboding without revealing the upcoming twists.
Merry Christmas’ Hitchcockian Twists and Rohmerian Probing
The narrative explores the Christmas-eve ‘romance’ between an unhappily married mother and a mysterious loner, returning to Mumbai after a prolonged absence. Rich with stylistic, visual, and musical elements, “Merry Christmas” keeps the audience immersed in the mystery surrounding the characters. The film masterfully combines Hitchcockian unsettling twists with Rohmerian moral probing, delving into the dynamics of love, loyalty, and betrayal.
Crafting the Mystery: Screenplay Insights and Scattered Clues
Crafted by Sriram Raghavan, Arijit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti (also the film’s editor), and Anukriti Pandey, the screenplay is an intricate puzzle with scattered clues gaining significance as the plot unfolds. The story revolves around a woman’s home above a family bakery supplying butter biscuits to schools, adding layers of intrigue to the unfolding narrative.
Also Watch HanuMan Box Office Collection Day 1: Prashanth Varma’s film crosses ₹10 crore mark on its release dayVignesh Shivan praises Merry Christmas
Taking to his Instagram Stories, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan wrote, “Absolutely awestruck by the outstanding performances from @actorvijaysethupathi & @katrinakaif in this superbly written thrilling screenplay from the genius @sriram.raghavanofficial takes us back to Alfred Hitchcock times @ipritamofficial’s music is another major pillar, the last 30 mins is just tooo good! Enjoy it in theatres from Jan12th! Totally proud of you Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi! You just held it all together with effortless ease.”
The Reviews: X and Instagram
#MerryChristmasReview: GRIPPING.
— it's cinema's (@itscinemas) January 11, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Serpentine twists and turns. Nail-biting suspense and tension-filled moments that keep you on edge. A masterstroke finale… Director #SriramRaghavan delivers an out-of-the-box, absorbing tale that teases your mind, besides keeping… pic.twitter.com/Zw7Cx2sQt1
