Berlin review: Refreshing script, impressive performances, and sensitivity

Atul Sabharwal's upcoming movie 'Berlin' starring Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh was screened at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023. 

Very few Bollywood scripts are original. Most run as per the set formula of what works and are derivative. Hence, every once in a while, when a Bollywood script feels new and refreshing, it is a pleasant surprise. One such surprise is Atul Sabharwal's 'Berlin'. Pushkin Verma (Aparshakti Khurana), a teacher at a school for the deaf and mute, is suddenly appointed by the Chief Bureau of Investigation to investigate a German spy. The alleged spy, Ashok Kumar (Ishwak Singh), is deaf and mute. Hence, the arrangement. But is he really a spy? The more Pushkin gets involved in the case, the more his notions of spies, bureaucrats, and the nation start to change. 

Despite some flaws and a climax whose potential remains unexplored, Berlin is one of the most authentic plots I've seen in Bollywood in a while. Perhaps it is so because the film looks at spies with a different gaze, that of being human- in its kind and evil forms. There are other themes too, such as people with disabilities, their loneliness, and their merit. There might be some pity but at no point does the movie pretend that it understands or knows disabled people's problems better than they do. The film delves a little into male friendships too and thankfully, without being too masculine, preachy, or even pretentiously emotional. 

And obviously, a powerful cast makes the movie even better. While Khurana is the backbone of the movie, Singh is the real star. They come together to make a pretty powerful duo. Needless to say, Rahul Bose doesn't fail to impress. Impressive is the exact word that describes Berlin. Sure, it has its flaws and it is sometimes predictable. Nevertheless, Berlin remains refreshing and a praiseworthy film.