Film Review: “Shattered Reflections”

Aurora Motion Pictures’ Shattered Reflections (UA) is a psychological drama about memory, guilt and redemption.

Story & Screenplay

Arnav Mehta (Rajkummar Rao) is a successful architect in Mumbai who lives a seemingly perfect life with his wife, Meera (Rasika Dugal). Their world collapses when their teenage son, Rishi, dies in a road accident. Arnav blames himself for being distracted during a crucial phone call that delayed him from picking Rishi up that night. Struggling with insomnia and guilt, Arnav begins seeing visions of his son in mirrors and glass surfaces. At first, Meera dismisses this as trauma, but soon she too notices unexplainable events.

A psychiatrist (Shefali Shah) insists Arnav is slipping into psychosis, but a series of mysterious incidents make him question whether the reflections are real. Is it guilt playing tricks on his mind, or is Rishi’s spirit trying to reveal a hidden truth?

The story, written by Anubhav Sinha, is layered and intriguing. The screenplay, though slow in parts, maintains a balance between psychological tension and supernatural mystery. However, the middle portion stretches unnecessarily, making the narrative drag before it picks up again in the climax. The dialogues (penned by Juhi Chaturvedi) are natural, though at times overly verbose.

Performances

• Rajkummar Rao delivers an intense, heartbreaking performance as Arnav — convincingly portraying a man torn between reality and delusion.

• Rasika Dugal shines as Meera, blending quiet grief with resilience.

• Shefali Shah as the psychiatrist is powerful in a small but pivotal role.

• Child actor Vivaan Shah (as Rishi) appears in flashbacks and visions, leaving a lasting impact.

Supporting performances (by Kumud Mishra as Arnav’s father and Anupriya Goenka as Meera’s friend) are solid.

Direction & Technical Aspects

Anubhav Sinha’s direction is thoughtful. He avoids cheap horror tropes and instead creates psychological tension through atmosphere. While some sequences feel indulgent, the emotional depth is handled with sensitivity.

• Music: Amit Trivedi’s score complements the somber mood, though songs are forgettable.

• Background score: Subtle and effective, never overpowering.

• Cinematography (by Avik Mukhopadhyay) is outstanding — mirrors, reflections, and shadow work are used masterfully to heighten the tension.

• Editing (by Hemanti Sarkar) could’ve been crisper; a few scenes linger too long.

• Production design: Minimalist, dark-toned interiors effectively reflect the psychological turmoil of the characters.

Overall Analysis

Shattered Reflections is a well-intentioned film that succeeds in building mood and delivering strong performances. However, its slow pace and overly abstract second act will appeal only to urban, niche audiences who enjoy layered psychological dramas. For the masses, its lack of conventional thrills and commercial entertainment value may feel underwhelming.

Box-Office Prospects

Given its theme, language mix (Hindi-English), and treatment, the film will perform modestly in metro multiplexes but struggle in smaller centres. Its critical acclaim and word-of-mouth may ensure longevity on OTT platforms rather than in theatres.