Bikas Bhagat, in a review in Zee News, gives the movie four stars out of five and says the movie is balanced in the way it tackles something as complex as Naxalism.
While he says that "the story has nothing much," he lauds the actors for "bringing authenticity by justifying the characters that they have been casted in and by gelling with the theme of the film so well."
He writes that the "real find of the film is the femme fatale character of Juhi the rebel played by Anjali Patil."
Mr. Bhagat said he enjoyed the music, which is by Salim-Sulaiman, Aadesh Shrivastava and Shantanu Moitra.
"They have done a fantastic job of keeping the audience involved with the story. Songs of the film are completely in sync with the mood of the film. 'Mehangaai' stands out," he writes.
Overall, he says that it "would be a big mistake" to give "Chakravyuh a miss."
A review by Subhash K. Jha on IANS also gives the movie four stars.
He calls it Mr. Jha's "most resolutely etched and firmly grounded drama since Mrityudand, and a work way superior to his last two films – Raajneeti and Aarakshan."
Mr. Jha writes that the director "is in full command of his wide-angled canvas," and culls his research on the red corridor in a "condensed but brightly illuminated screenplay."
He also praises the closing sequence of the movie: "Thanks to the brilliantly-written words and the restrain with which the two actors put their viewpoints forward, the sequence scorches the screen."
Mr. Jha "only shows us glimpses into his characters' hearts before pulling back ruthlessly to allow them to go about their jobs as professionals who have to travel far beyond their call of duty," notes the reviewer. He argues that the movie should have been longer to explore the relationship and emotions between Mr. Deol and Mr. Rampal as well as Ms. Patil.
He ends by writing that "the process of social awakening that started with the cinema of V. Shantaram and B.R. Chopra has come a full circle," with "Chakravyuh."
In a review in The Times of India, Meena Iyer gives the movie three-and-a-half stars out of five.
She praises Mr. Jha for choosing to make a film on Naxalism and "for sticking his neck out."
For Ms. Iyer, "the personal and professional equations" between Mr. Rampal and Mr. Deol "make for a compelling film with some rock-solid emotions."
She writes that Mr. Jha "must also be complimented for the scale and performances he has extracted from his lead cast." She finds Mr. Bajpai, Mr. Deol and Mr. Rampal "compelling." "Esha starts on a shrill note but improves later," she notes.
While he says that "the story has nothing much," he lauds the actors for "bringing authenticity by justifying the characters that they have been casted in and by gelling with the theme of the film so well."
He writes that the "real find of the film is the femme fatale character of Juhi the rebel played by Anjali Patil."
Mr. Bhagat said he enjoyed the music, which is by Salim-Sulaiman, Aadesh Shrivastava and Shantanu Moitra.
"They have done a fantastic job of keeping the audience involved with the story. Songs of the film are completely in sync with the mood of the film. 'Mehangaai' stands out," he writes.
Overall, he says that it "would be a big mistake" to give "Chakravyuh a miss."
A review by Subhash K. Jha on IANS also gives the movie four stars.
He calls it Mr. Jha's "most resolutely etched and firmly grounded drama since Mrityudand, and a work way superior to his last two films – Raajneeti and Aarakshan."
Mr. Jha writes that the director "is in full command of his wide-angled canvas," and culls his research on the red corridor in a "condensed but brightly illuminated screenplay."
He also praises the closing sequence of the movie: "Thanks to the brilliantly-written words and the restrain with which the two actors put their viewpoints forward, the sequence scorches the screen."
Mr. Jha "only shows us glimpses into his characters' hearts before pulling back ruthlessly to allow them to go about their jobs as professionals who have to travel far beyond their call of duty," notes the reviewer. He argues that the movie should have been longer to explore the relationship and emotions between Mr. Deol and Mr. Rampal as well as Ms. Patil.
He ends by writing that "the process of social awakening that started with the cinema of V. Shantaram and B.R. Chopra has come a full circle," with "Chakravyuh."
In a review in The Times of India, Meena Iyer gives the movie three-and-a-half stars out of five.
She praises Mr. Jha for choosing to make a film on Naxalism and "for sticking his neck out."
For Ms. Iyer, "the personal and professional equations" between Mr. Rampal and Mr. Deol "make for a compelling film with some rock-solid emotions."
She writes that Mr. Jha "must also be complimented for the scale and performances he has extracted from his lead cast." She finds Mr. Bajpai, Mr. Deol and Mr. Rampal "compelling." "Esha starts on a shrill note but improves later," she notes.