Common Sense Media Review
By Sakhi Thirani
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Indian thriller has problematic gender roles, gory violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ek Villain
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In EK VILLAIN, Aisha (Shraddha Kapoor) becomes the latest victim of a ruthless serial killer called Rakesh (Ritesh Deshmukh). Bitter, enraged, and hungry for revenge, Guru (Sidharth Malhotra), a reformed gangster, leaves no stone unturned to torment his wife's killer.
Is It Any Good?
Directed by Mohit Suri, this Indian action thriller is problematic from start to finish. Ek Villain is incessantly violent and centers around revenge, the serial murders of women, and hyper-machoism. With its silly cat and mouse chase between Deshmukh's and Malhotra's characters -- where both essentially share the same personality -- the movie barely offers any space for Kapoor's gullible Aisha who is reduced to just another brutally murdered victim. Cringey and often difficult to watch, the movie is predictable from the get-go. In the guise of entertainment it sentimentalizes and romanticizes disease, death, torture, and murder. More disturbing than thrilling, it's one to be avoided, though there's an equally disappointing sequel if you really are a glutton for punishment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Ek Villain. How did it portray serial killers? Did you find it entertaining or over the top? Do some types of media violence have different impact than others?
Machoism and aggression are the defining features of the male characters in the film, while women were reduced to victims. Why might this be seen as problematic? How can I find positive gender representations in movies and on TV?
What would you hope to see in the sequel, Ek Villain Returns?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 27, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : November 4, 2014
- Cast : Sidharth Malhotra , Riteish Deshmukh , Shraddha Kapoor
- Director : Mohit Suri
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : KVH Media Group
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 129 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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