Darling (2007) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 8 May 2026
Darling (2007) Review
Darling (2007) — a Hindi drama, horror, romance movie directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The cast includes Fardeen Khan, Esha Deol, Isha Koppikar. A man cheats on his wife with his secretary, but things take a haunting shift after he accidentally kills his mistress. Our Rating: 1.5/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Released: 7 Sept 2007. Runtime: 2h 12m.


Darling(2007)
A Killer Love Story...
Hindi · Drama, Horror, Romance
2h 12m · 7 Sept 2007
Music: Himesh Reshammiya | DOP: Amit Roy | Writer: Prawaal Raman, Kusum Punjabi, Sameer
Ratings
Our Rating
1.5
📖 Story
Darling is a psychological thriller revolving around a married man who gets entangled in a web of deceit and murder after an extramarital affair. The story explores themes of guilt, paranoia, and the consequences of infidelity, as the protagonist tries to cover up his crimes while dealing with unexpected twists and revelations.
Darling attempts to blend elements of suspense and horror with a contemporary thriller narrative. The content is bold for its time, focusing on adult themes and complex emotional conflicts. The story is engaging initially but suffers from predictability in the latter half, which affects the overall impact. The screenplay is uneven, with a gripping first half that builds tension effectively, but the second half loses momentum due to forced plot developments and a lack of subtlety.
The pacing is moderate; the first half maintains a taut atmosphere, while the second half drags with repetitive scenes and less convincing character motivations. The songs, composed by Himesh Reshammiya, are situational but do not particularly enhance the narrative flow. The background score attempts to elevate the suspense but occasionally feels overbearing, detracting from the mood rather than complementing it.
Cinematography by Amit Roy captures the eerie and claustrophobic settings well, adding to the thriller ambiance. However, the film's technical aspects, while competent, do not compensate for the screenplay weaknesses. Overall, Darling is an ambitious project that partially succeeds in delivering thrills but falls short of being a memorable thriller due to its inconsistent execution.
Fardeen Khan: Adequate portrayal of a conflicted man caught in a moral dilemma, though lacking depth in emotional expression.
Esha Deol: Delivers a restrained performance, fitting the thriller genre but with limited scope for character development.
Isha Koppikar: Strong presence with a convincing portrayal of a mysterious and pivotal character.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Engaging first half with effective suspense
- ✓Strong cinematography enhancing the thriller mood
- ✓Isha Koppikar's impactful performance
- ✓Bold thematic content for the genre
Weaknesses
- ✕Predictable and weak second half
- ✕Uneven screenplay and pacing issues
- ✕Songs and background score sometimes disrupt narrative flow
- ✕Limited character development for lead roles
🎬 Direction & Writing
Ram Gopal Varma's direction shows flashes of his signature style in creating tension and atmosphere, but the writing lacks cohesion and subtlety, resulting in a film that struggles to maintain its initial promise throughout.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics
Critics appreciated the film's initial suspense and technical aspects like cinematography but criticized the inconsistent screenplay and pacing. Performances were seen as adequate but not exceptional. The music received mixed reviews, with some noting it did not blend well with the thriller elements.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Darling release in theatres?▾
Darling released on 7 September 2007 (2007).
Is Darling a hit or flop?▾
Darling is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Where to watch Darling online? OTT release date?▾
Darling OTT release date not announced yet.
Who directed Darling?▾
Darling directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Produced by Krishan Kumar, Bhushan Kumar.
Who are the main cast members of Darling?▾
Darling stars Fardeen Khan, Esha Deol, Isha Koppikar.
What is the Tollybo rating for Darling?▾
Tollybo rates Darling 1.5/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Who composed the music for Darling?▾
Music for Darling composed by Himesh Reshammiya.
What is the genre and runtime of Darling?▾
Darling — Genre: Drama, Horror, Romance, Runtime: 132 minutes, Language: Hindi.
