(This review was updated on March 4, 2025) It’s been a while since a film felt both deeply satisfying and genuinely enjoyable. Lately, it seems like every release is competing to be darker, heavier, and more emotionally draining— and sure, there’s brilliance in that, but after a while, it wears you down. And then comes along Nirmal Anand Ki Puppy, cutting through the gloom like a quiet but necessary act of rebellion. It doesn’t offer forced optimism, or escapism, but a kind of joy that feels earned. It’s light without being shallow, warm without being naive, and at a time when cinema often leans toward the heavy-handed, the balance feels rare.
Nirmal Anand Ki Puppy doesn’t try to dazzle you with spectacle or high-stakes drama. It does something far trickier—it makes the ordinary compelling. The film gives us a close-up of Nirmal Anand’s life, not through grand gestures or over-explained backstories, but in the quiet, unassuming way that real life actually unfolds. And that’s what makes it work. There’s a certain confidence in its simplicity, a refusal to overcomplicate what is, at its core, just a few days in the life of an average man.
But here’s where it gets interesting—there’s that deceptively simple title. Puppy. A word that, throughout the film, subtly shifts in meaning, unlocking different themes as the story progresses. It’s the kind of detail that sneaks up on you, revealing layers you didn’t expect. And yet, none of it feels forced. The film manages to weave in larger ideas—metanarratives, self-reflection—without making a big show of it. It’s seamless, effortless, and before you know it, the film has pulled you into its rhythm. That’s the real charm of Nirmal Anand Ki Puppy.
The film doesn’t feel the need to spell everything out, nor does it flatten its characters into predictable archetypes. It presents people as they are: complicated, messy, and sometimes inexplicable. There’s a deep psychological awareness at play here, an intuitive grasp of why people react the way they do, what drives them, and—just as importantly—what remains unspoken.
The film leaves room for interpretation. Not every question is answered, not every motivation is neatly tied up, and that’s exactly why it works. It invites the audience to step in, to engage, to fill in the blanks.
The cinematography in Nirmal Anand Ki Puppy isn’t flashy. It’s grounded, realistic. Some shots stand out, but most work quietly to maintain the film’s tone and atmosphere. Speaking of atmosphere, the film’s milieu shifts subtly—almost imperceptibly. Natural lighting plays a big role here, with minimal filters, giving everything a raw, unpolished feel.
The camera work isn’t gimmicky or distracting. It frames the story without calling attention to itself.
Recommended: “I Shot ‘Hola Venky’ In 10 Lakhs,” Writes Director Sandeep Mohan
Another intriguing detail is the film’s use of environmental symbolism. The characters don’t just exist in their surroundings—they mirror them. Their moods, their motives, even their unspoken tensions are reflected in the spaces they inhabit.
It’s a quiet but effective way of revealing motive and intent without over-explaining. Instead of heavy-handed exposition, the film lets atmosphere do the talking, shaping our understanding of the characters in ways that feel organic.
Some moments might seem extraneous at first—like the recurring old-timer, crooning his way in and out of scenes, even appearing as a hallucination to one of the leads. To the untrained eye, it’s a loose thread, a subplot without resolution. But that’s the point. It doesn’t need closure; it exists to deepen the character.
Recommended: ‘Always Wanted “Sandeep Mohan, Filmmaker” In My Obituary’
Nirmal Anand Ki Puppy isn’t just about relationships—it’s about the quiet negotiations that keep them afloat. It asks a deceptively simple question: Are relationships that look healthy actually fulfilling?
People adapt, adjust, play their part. They smile through dissatisfaction, disguise exhaustion as commitment. The film understands this unspoken reality, peeling back the layers of seemingly functional relationships to reveal the compromises beneath. What looks effortless from the outside is often a balancing act.
The film isn’t cynical or dismissive, but it does argue for balance. Relationships, at their best, are built on equal contribution, not silent endurance.
Overall, the film’s strength lies not in flashy or grand revelations, but in the small, quiet moments. There’s a warmth to it, a simplicity that lingers. It pulls you in with its honesty, its restraint and the weight of everything left unsaid.
Rating: 3/5
