‘Kennedy’ Movie Review: Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone Shine in Anurag Kashyap’s Dark, Unsettling Crime Drama

Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy is not your typical crime thriller. Dark, layered and psychologically heavy, the film dives deep into the murky intersection of power, politics and personal erosion. At its core, the story follows a corrupt cop declared dead so he can secretly execute crimes for powerful figures only to find himself trapped in the very system he helped build. ‘Kennedy’ OTT Release: Anurag Kashyap and Sunny Leone Address His ‘Cult’ Tag and Delayed Films in Quirky Promotional Video (Watch).

Plot and Themes

The film revolves around manipulation at the highest levels. A police commissioner engineers a dangerous rivalry between two gangsters, using power as bait while keeping control firmly in his hands. Kashyap is less interested in who wins and more focused on what unchecked authority does to the human mind. Rahul Bhat’s Uday, also known as Kennedy, is the film’s emotional and psychological anchor. Living like a ghost, an assassin by night and cab driver by cover he moves through the narrative with quiet menace. One standout sequence inside his cab, where passengers unknowingly reveal political commentary, reflects Kashyap’s long-standing political undercurrent.

Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone Performance

Rahul Bhat delivers one of the most restrained performances of his career, embodying a man erased yet still functioning. Sunny Leone, playing Charlie, brings surprising vulnerability and mystery, fitting organically into Kashyap’s shadowy universe. Supporting actors including Abhilash Thapliyal, Megha Burman and Mohit Takalkar add depth to this morally frayed world, even when some characters feel underwritten.

What Critics Are Saying

India Today: “The performances remain the film’s strongest highlight. Rahul Bhat is exceptional, carrying the narrative with unnerving restraint. Sunny Leone’s Charlie fits organically into Kashyap’s shadowy world – her vulnerability and presence aligning with the tone, even if her laughter occasionally breaks the magic. The antagonist, Saleem, played by Aamir Dalvi, feels underwritten, but Mohit Takalkar’s Rashid Khan is quite compelling: a man intoxicated by authority, visibly thrilled that two feared killers bend to his will. Even the brief supporting cast, of Abhilash Thapiyal, Shrikant Yadav and Megha Burman, adds texture to this morally frayed universe. Kennedy isn’t flawless, and while it has its moments, it never quite becomes a fully cohesive thriller. The drama and tension are present, yet they don’t always fuse into something you would want to revisit. It grips in the moment, disturbs in fragments, and stops just short of becoming enduring.”

News18: “The film’s slow-burning structure demands patience. Its non-linear storytelling can disorient inattentive viewers. The pacing occasionally stretches. But these fissures pale beside its immersive night cinematography, haunting performances and the twisted crescendo of its climax. Mohit Takalkar embodies Rasheed with sleazy conviction. Abhilash Thapliyal’s Chandan lingers as a spectral conscience. Shrikant Yadav, Megha Burman, Kurush Deboo, Aamir Dalvi and Karishma Modi fortify the narrative’s moral scaffolding. In the end, Kennedy defies neat categorisation. It is a crime thriller that doubles as a political lament and a psychological autopsy. It deserved the expanse of the silver screen. Yet even on streaming, it stands tall. For Kashyap, who has moved from the grounded intensity of Nishaanchi to the cerebral intrigue of Dobaraa, Kennedy remains one of his most haunting provocations yet.”

TOI: “At times, the slow pace and heavy symbolism may test the patience of some viewers. The film does not rush to explain itself, and it expects attention. Yet this deliberate approach is also its strength. Kashyap’s indulgence too is on display, yet it never becomes a distraction. The director once again draws from real-world events and exposes the uneasy link between politics and law enforcement. The film builds steadily toward a proper and satisfying closure, something rare in many crime dramas. Kennedy stands as a reminder of what Anurag Kashyap is capable of when he trusts his instincts. It is dark, layered, and unapologetic. It may not aim for mass approval, but it leaves a strong impact. It feels honest to the world it portrays.”

Scroll.in: “Jarring classical music is plastered over scenes of slaughter, while club songs performed by indie artists Amir Aziz and Boyblanck hold forth on generalised moral turpitude. The enervating melodrama surrounding Uday’s domestic life is from another movie altogether. Mohit Takalkar’s theatrical hamming weirdly complements Rahul Bhat’s heavily underlined stoicism. Bhat looks the part of a menace to society and himself, but there’s a monotony to the gravelly-voiced Uday. The movie’s biggest surprise is an excellent Sunny Leone, in her first real performance. Leone’s Charlie personifies Kennedy’s overall uncanniness. It’s never quite clear what Charlie is up to, which makes her a perfect fit in Kashyap’s out-of-control universe.”

NDTV: “Sunny Leone's giggles and guffaws are not only the defining trait of the character she plays but they also add to the surround sound in an ambience where an air of gloom hangs heavy. Mohit Takalkar, Shrikant Yadav (as a serving police sub-inspector who works alongside the hero) and Megha Burman also stand out. Sylvester Fonseca's cinematography – the entire film is shot at night – is absolutely terrific. The camera actualises the line of a song in the film – andhe kaali raat mein andheraa saaf dikhta hain – and imparts a deep translucence to both light and shadow. Anurag Kashyap may not be at his very best in Kennedy but Rahul Bhat definitely is. The actor has never been better.”

Watch 'Kennedy' Trailer:

Final Verdict

Kennedy is brooding, ambitious and unmistakably Kashyap. It may test patience with its slow pace and dense symbolism, but its performances, night-soaked visuals and psychological depth make it a compelling watch for fans of dark, thinking cinema. The film is now streaming on ZEE5.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2026 01:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).