Nikita Roy (2025) Review: Sonakshi Sinha’s Supernatural Thriller That Questions Everything We Believe

When Kussh S. Sinha decided to make his directorial debut, he chose a challenging path. Nikita Roy brings together supernatural horror and investigative drama in ways we rarely see in Hindi cinema. Sonakshi Sinha leads this July 2025 release alongside Paresh Rawal, Arjun Rampal, and Suhail Nayyar.

This film dares to question something fundamental: where does scientific reasoning end and supernatural belief begin? The story follows a rationalist investigator whose world gets turned upside down. Her journey from skeptic to someone forced to question everything makes for compelling viewing.

Story That Keeps You Thinking

Nikita Roy works as an author who makes her living exposing fake spiritual gurus. She belongs to the International Rationalist Community and believes science can explain everything. But when her brother Sanal dies mysteriously, her logical world starts cracking.

The investigation leads her to Amar Dev, a spiritual healer with dark secrets. What starts as a simple fraud investigation becomes something much deeper. The film cleverly builds tension without relying on cheap jump scares.

I found the plot structure refreshing because it trusts the audience’s intelligence. Instead of spoon-feeding answers, it lets you piece together the mystery. The brother’s death serves as more than just plot device – it becomes the emotional core.

Acting That Feels Real

Sonakshi Sinha proves she can carry a film on her shoulders. Her portrayal of a rationalist facing the impossible feels genuine and layered. She doesn’t overact or underplay the emotional moments.

Paresh Rawal brings his usual reliability to the role. His character seems to know more than he lets on, and Rawal plays this ambiguity perfectly. The scenes between him and Sonakshi have real depth.

Arjun Rampal appears in flashbacks as the dead brother. Even in limited screen time, he makes the character feel important to the story. Suhail Nayyar as Nikita’s former partner adds romantic tension without making it melodramatic.

The supporting cast doesn’t always match the leads’ intensity. Some characters feel more like plot devices than real people. This creates uneven moments that break the film’s spell.

Direction With Vision

Kussh S. Sinha shows real potential as a filmmaker. He understands that supernatural horror works better through suggestion than showing everything. The film builds atmosphere through lighting, sound, and pacing.

The cinematography creates an unsettling mood without being too dark or flashy. Camera movements feel deliberate rather than showy. Each frame serves the story’s psychological tension.

However, the pacing stumbles in the middle act. Some scenes drag when they should move faster. Other moments rush past when they need more time to breathe. First-time directors often struggle with this balance.

What Works Beautifully

The film’s central conflict between reason and faith feels relevant today. Sonakshi’s performance anchors everything with genuine emotional weight. The atmospheric direction creates real suspense without cheap tricks.

I appreciate how the film respects viewer intelligence. It doesn’t explain every mystery or tie up every loose end. This approach makes the story more haunting than typical horror films.

The psychological elements work better than the supernatural ones. When characters question their own perceptions, the film finds its strongest moments. These scenes feel more frightening than any ghost could.

Areas That Could Improve

Uneven pacing hurts the overall experience. Some supporting characters need more development to feel real. The balance between genres could be more seamless.

The film promises more than it delivers in some areas. Certain plot threads don’t get proper resolution. The ending might disappoint viewers expecting clear answers.

I felt the script needed another draft to polish the dialogue and tighten the structure. Some scenes feel unnecessary while others end too abruptly.

Critics and Audience Response

Professional critics had mixed reactions to the film. Bollywood Hungama gave it 1.5 stars, calling it underwhelming. They felt the investigative thriller elements didn’t work smoothly.

Koimoi praised the mounting and performances while noting story weaknesses. India Forums appreciated its subtle approach to horror. The IMDb rating of 3.9 suggests audience divided opinion.

Different reviewers focused on different aspects. Some loved the psychological approach, others wanted more traditional scares. This split reaction often happens with genre-blending films.

Final Verdict

Nikita Roy tackles interesting themes about belief versus reason in modern times. The film succeeds in creating genuine atmosphere and features strong lead performances. But execution issues prevent it from reaching its full potential.

This movie will appeal to viewers who enjoy thought-provoking horror over pure entertainment. It asks important questions even when it doesn’t answer them perfectly. The supernatural mystery elements work better than the investigative parts.

I’d recommend it to people interested in different kinds of horror films. Don’t expect a perfect thriller, but do expect something that will stay with you after leaving the theater.

Rating: 3/5