Last updated: 8 May 2026


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
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
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.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
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
Darling released on 7 September 2007 (2007).
Darling is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Darling OTT release date not announced yet.
Darling directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Produced by Krishan Kumar, Bhushan Kumar.
Darling stars Fardeen Khan, Esha Deol, Isha Koppikar.
Tollybo rates Darling 1.5/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Music for Darling composed by Himesh Reshammiya.
Darling — Genre: Drama, Horror, Romance, Runtime: 132 minutes, Language: Hindi.