Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sensual
- mischievous
- bollywood movie night
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an ambitious, intelligent, richly acted, and visually gorgeous blend of comedy, romance, crime, and social critique, while some found its opening and pacing languid.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Khalujaan and Babban are thieves on the run whose palace courtship plots repeatedly redirect the story through concealed intentions and revelations.
Khalujaan competes with poets to win Begum Para, making Urdu poetry central to romance, status, and social performance.
The relationship between Begum Para and Munniya is woven into the palace’s deceptions, kidnapping plan, and dangerous power dynamics.
The Majidabad palace, royal jewels, poetic gatherings, and lavish period styling give the film a theatrical, textured appearance.
Films like Dedh Ishqiya, and why
Ishqiya
shared blend of romantic intrigue, comic criminality, deception, and richly stylized Indian storytelling
Omkara
shared Urdu-inflected wit, morally slippery characters, sensual romance, and caper-like plotting
Kaminey
shared darkly comic crime plotting, volatile relationships, and theatrical ensemble performances
Maqbool
shared ornate period atmosphere, romantic deception, and genre-mixing Bollywood melodrama
Movie Details
- Director
- Abhishek Chaubey
- Release Date
- 2014-01-10
- Runtime
- 152 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (47)
Cast
- Naseeruddin Shah
- Madhuri Dixit
- Arshad Warsi
- Huma Qureshi
- Vijay Raaz
- Manoj Pahwa
- Salman Shahid
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Brew
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dedh Ishqiya about?
- Two romantic thieves become entangled in a lavish palace conspiracy where Urdu poetry, desire, and deception turn a jewel heist into a dangerous comic romance.
- What is Dedh Ishqiya like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dedh Ishqiya as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Dedh Ishqiya violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Dedh Ishqiya as mild.
- What did critics think of Dedh Ishqiya?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an ambitious, intelligent, richly acted, and visually gorgeous blend of comedy, romance, crime, and social critique, while some found its opening and pacing languid.
- Which films are like Dedh Ishqiya?
- Films with a similar feel include Ishqiya, Omkara, Kaminey, and Maqbool.
- How long is Dedh Ishqiya?
- Dedh Ishqiya runs 152 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dedh Ishqiya?
- In United States, Dedh Ishqiya streams on Brew.
