MELBOURNE, December 12, 2025: Director Tisca Chopra’s Saali Mohabbat is a gripping drama unfolding across two timelines. In a small city, a married woman, Kavita (Radhika Apte), narrates a cautionary tale to a group of ladies at a party after discovering her husband’s infidelity — drawing unsettling parallels with her own experience.
At the heart of the film lies the story of Smita (also played by Radhika Apte), a housewife whose world unravels after her husband (Vivek Dutta) and cousin (Chahat Arora) are murdered in a web of deceit and betrayal. Structured across dual timelines, the narrative delves into rage, revenge, and the emotional aftermath of broken trust. The “Saali” — Smita’s sister or sister-in-law — becomes entangled in an affair with Smita’s husband, while an ambitious cop (Divyenndu Sharma) investigating the murders develops his own interest in her.
Saali Mohabbat isn’t a fast-paced thriller; instead, it unfolds as a simmering mystery exploring domestic turbulence and moral collapse. Anurag Kashyap, in a key supporting role as Gajendra Bhaiya, adds a gritty tone that hints at his influence on Chopra’s directorial choices, lending the project a raw, unconventional edge.
Without giving away spoilers, it’s fair to say Radhika Apte shines in both roles — as Kavita and Smita — carrying the film with nuance and restraint. Vivek Dutta, Chahat Arora, and Divyenndu Sharma deliver strong performances, while Sharat Saxena, as Smita’s father, adds emotional gravitas.
Premiered at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa in 2024, the 1-hour-48-minute film begins streaming on Zee5 Global from December 12, 2025.
Best experienced in a single sitting, Saali Mohabbat is a slow-burn psychological drama that rewards patient viewers — a must-watch.
