Dilli Dark
| Dilli Dark | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Dibakar Das Roy |
| Written by | Dibakar Das Roy |
| Starring | Samuel Abiola Robinson |
| Cinematography | Kartik Parmar |
| Edited by | Manendra Singh Lodhi |
| Music by | Utkarsh Dhotekar |
Release dates |
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| Country | India |
| Languages | English Hindi |
Dilli Dark (transl. Dark Delhi) is a 2025 Indian English-Hindi-bilingual language drama film directed by Dibakar Das Roy and starring Samuel Abiola Robinson, Geetika Vidya Ohylan and Shantanu Anam.[1] The film was initially released in 2023 at various film festivals. Dilli Dark had its global theatrical release on May 30th 2025.[2]
Plot
[edit]Adorable African outsider Michael Okeke left Nigeria six years ago to survive in the frequently disconnected and overcrowded New Delhi, a city with which he has a bittersweet relationship. He dreams of true love and a better job but is pushed into the 4 C-s: cell phone, cocaine, cash, and clients.[3]
Cast
[edit]- Samuel Abiola Robinson as Michael "Mike" Okeke
- Geetika Vidya Ohylan as Mansi[4]
- Shantanu Anam as Debu[4]
- Stutee Ghosh[5]
Production
[edit]The film began production at the end of 2020.[6] The project was selected for NFDC Work-in-progress Lab.[7] The film was shot in 2021.[6]
Themes and influences
[edit]The director incorporated Queen Razia Sultana's love story with the struggles of the protagonist since she was speculated to be in love with an African, which was not acceptable in society at that time.[8]
Release
[edit]The film debuted at the MAMI festival in November 2023 and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival later that month.[9][7] The film was the closing feature at the 31st New York African Film Festival in May 2024.[10]
Reception
[edit]Reviewing the film at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Eoghan Lyng of Dirty Movies rated the film 4/5 and wrote that the film is "an impressively inventive work, one that reveres and chastises India in equal measure".[11]
Reviewing the film at the same festival, Amber Wilkinson of Eye For Film rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote that "Dibakar Das Roy’s debut feature wraps this [racism] issue up within a boisterous, if unruly, comedy" but added that large "chunks of voice-over, however, make the film feel ungainly in places and streamlining the plot would have helped to keep the pace from flagging".[4]
Dilli Dark was released theatrically on 30 May 2025 to positive reviews.
Outlook (Indian magazine) India called the film “a refreshing caricature piercing racial prejudices” and praised its bold storytelling.[12]
The Hollywood Reporter India described it as “a neat black comedy with Delhi-shaped angst,” noting its unique tone and dark humour.[13]
The Times of India rated the film 3.5/5, stating that “the film’s strength lies in its strong messaging layered with satire.”[14]
The New Indian Express highlighted its “outsider syndrome” theme, calling it “a film about dark horses that subvert expectations.”[15]
Scroll.in called it “an occasionally sharp, scattershot comedy about prejudice,” lauding its intent while critiquing its unevenness.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Shantanu Anam on 'Dilli Dark': It is a film that satirizes racism in Delhi". The Times of India. 17 November 2023.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (30 May 2025). "Dilli Dark Movie: Review | Release Date (2025) | Songs | Music | Images | Official Trailers | Videos | Photos | News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ Dilli Dark (2023) | MUBI. Retrieved 6 January 2025 – via mubi.com.
- ^ a b c Wilkinson, Amber (28 November 2023). "Dilli Dark". Eye For Film.
- ^ "Dilli Dark is about acceptance says director Dibankar Das Roy". The Times of India. 5 November 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ a b Srijith, Sajin (16 October 2023). "Samuel Abiola Robinson: I connected very strongly with Dilli Dark". Cinema Express.
- ^ a b Ntim, Zac (19 October 2023). "'Dilli Dark' Trailer: First Look At Indian-Nigerian Comedy Set For Tallinn Black Nights". Deadline. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Dibakar Das Roy on "Dilli Dark": "I wanted to show the cyclical nature of history … the cyclical nature of societal biases."". The Nollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Dibakar Das Roy's debut feature to make its world premiere at Mumbai Film Festival". The Times of India. 16 October 2023.
- ^ Carey, Mathew (3 April 2024). "New York African Film Festival To Feature 'Over The Bridge', 'Dilli Dark', Short Film EP'd By Spike Lee And More". Deadline.
- ^ "Dilli Dark". DMovies. 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Dilli Dark Review | A Refreshing Caricature Piercing Racial Prejudices". Outlook India. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "'Dilli Dark' Movie Review: A Neat Black Comedy with Delhi-Shaped Angst". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Dilli Dark Movie Review: A clever satire that sometimes trips over its own ambition. Retrieved 6 June 2025 – via timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- ^ Ghosh, Paramita (30 May 2025). "'Dilli Dark' is a film about the outsider syndrome and some really dark horses". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Ramnath, Nandini (30 May 2025). "'Dilli Dark' review: An occasionally sharp, scattershot comedy about prejudice". Scroll.in. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
External links
[edit]- Dilli Dark at IMDb
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