Movie Review: Dacoit: A Love Story (2026) – An Intense Tale of Love, Betrayal and Revenge
Directed by Shaneil Deo, Dacoit: A Love Story is an intense romantic action thriller starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur in the lead roles. The film blends romance, betrayal, crime, revenge and emotional drama, following a convict whose return to freedom brings him face-to-face with the woman he once loved.
Released in India on April 10, 2026, the 149-minute film was made in Hindi and Telugu, with dubbed versions also available. It marks Shaneil Deo’s directorial debut and features Anurag Kashyap in a major role. (IMDb)
Quick Review Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Shaneil Deo |
| Lead Cast | Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur |
| Supporting Cast | Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj, Atul Kulkarni |
| Music | Bheems Ceciroleo |
| Background Score | Gyaani |
| Cinematography | Danush Bhaskar |
| Editor | Kodati Pavan Kalyan |
| Genre | Action / Romance / Crime / Thriller |
| Runtime | 149 Minutes |
| Languages | Hindi / Telugu |
| Release Date | April 10, 2026 |
| Where to Watch | Amazon Prime Video; Hindi streaming availability followed later. |
The film’s principal credits, 149-minute runtime and April 10 release are listed by IMDb. (IMDb)
Storyline: A Love Story Transformed into Revenge
The story follows Hari (Adivi Sesh), a hardened convict who has spent years behind bars after a devastating incident destroyed his relationship and changed his life.
When Hari finally gets the opportunity to escape, he returns with one goal: to confront Saraswati (Mrunal Thakur), the woman he once loved and believes betrayed him.
But Hari’s past is far more complicated than it initially appears.
The narrative moves between the present and the past, gradually revealing the history of Hari and Saraswati’s relationship. Their romance, once filled with hope, becomes entangled with betrayal, crime and circumstances that eventually lead Hari to prison.
After his escape, Hari plans both revenge and a major robbery, creating a dangerous combination of personal emotion and criminal ambition. As the truth behind his imprisonment slowly emerges, the film asks whether revenge can really erase the pain caused by lost love.
The result is a story that combines a love drama with a crime thriller rather than treating either genre as a separate element. (IMDb)
Character Performances: Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur Shine
The performances are one of the film’s strongest aspects.
- Adivi Sesh (as Hari): Sesh delivers a brooding and physically intense performance. He effectively portrays Hari’s transformation from a man deeply in love into someone consumed by anger and revenge. His restrained emotional moments work particularly well, while the action sequences demonstrate his physical commitment to the role.
- Mrunal Thakur (as Saraswati): Mrunal gives the film its emotional heart. Saraswati is not simply presented as a romantic interest; her choices and motivations become central to understanding the story. Mrunal brings vulnerability and complexity to the character and shares convincing chemistry with Sesh. IMDb’s cast listing identifies her as Saraswati alongside Sesh’s Hari. (IMDb)
- Anurag Kashyap (as Swamy): Kashyap makes a strong impression in a significant supporting role. His presence adds another layer of menace and unpredictability to the crime portions of the film.
- Prakash Raj (as Solomon Reddy): Prakash Raj brings his trademark authority and intensity to the supporting cast.
- Atul Kulkarni (as Ishaq): Kulkarni adds further weight to the crime-driven storyline with a controlled supporting performance. (IMDb Pro)
Technical Craft & Direction: Stylish Action with Emotional Weight
Director Shaneil Deo makes an impressive feature debut. Rather than presenting Dacoit as a straightforward revenge film, he combines its action with a substantial romantic and emotional component.
Cinematography
Danush Bhaskar gives the film a gritty cinematic appearance. The visuals complement both the intimate romantic scenes and the harsher criminal world surrounding Hari.
The contrast between the softer memories of Hari and Saraswati and the darker present-day sections helps visually reinforce how far their relationship has fallen.
Music & Background Score
Bheems Ceciroleo handles the music, while Gyaani contributes the background score. The music supports both the emotional romance and the film’s action-heavy moments. (IMDb Pro)
Editing
Kodati Pavan Kalyan handles the editing. The film’s 149-minute runtime gives enough room for the backstory and present-day revenge plot to develop, although some sections could have benefited from tighter pacing. (IMDb)
Critical Analysis: Love and Revenge Drive the Film
The strongest aspect of Dacoit: A Love Story is the way it connects love and revenge.
Hari isn’t simply seeking revenge because he is an angry criminal. His anger is rooted in a relationship that once meant everything to him. This gives the action sequences an emotional purpose.
The film also benefits from its old-school romantic sensibility. The relationship between Hari and Saraswati provides the emotional foundation, while the crime plot gives the story its tension.
However, the screenplay isn’t completely flawless. Some viewers have found the film overstuffed, and certain developments rely on familiar revenge-thriller conventions. The 149-minute runtime can also feel slightly stretched in places.
Still, the overall response has been positive. IMDb currently lists the film at 7.5/10, while audience discussions have particularly praised the performances, emotional moments, action choreography and cinematography. (IMDb)
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?
Dacoit: A Love Story successfully combines romance, betrayal, crime, revenge and action into an emotionally driven thriller. Adivi Sesh delivers a powerful performance as Hari, while Mrunal Thakur provides the emotional depth that makes the central relationship convincing.
Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj and Atul Kulkarni strengthen the supporting cast, while debutant director Shaneil Deo demonstrates strong control over the film’s action and emotional tone. (IMDb Pro)
It may not be perfect, but Dacoit: A Love Story is a compelling choice for viewers who enjoy intense love stories mixed with revenge, crime and action.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ / 5
