Rating: ★★★★
Cast: Raushni Srivastava, Raja Guru, Saarrh Kkashyap
Director: Raushni Srivastava
Release Date: November 28, 2025
Banner: Faith Films Entertainment
Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes
In today’s fast-paced world, the age-old yet deeply damaging issue of mental abuse continues to persist across society. Mental harassment is a silent curse—one that can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability, and in severe cases, even suicidal thoughts.
Kalika, which released in theatres this week, is a compelling and impactful film that brings this subject to the forefront. Writer, director, and lead actress Raushni Srivastava deserves strong praise for tackling such a relevant and sensitive theme.
A Unique Subject
The film follows Kalika (Raushni Srivastava), a young woman who arrives in Mumbai with dreams of becoming an actress. During her auditions and daily struggles, she grows close to Atharva (Saarrh Kkashyap), a fellow aspirant facing similar challenges.
Meanwhile, Kalika reconnects with an old friend, Ram (Raja Guru), a successful property businessman from Delhi. Eager to support her, he transfers a few lakhs of rupees to her account, expressing a desire to produce a film for her. However, his intentions soon reveal a darker side—he expects emotional possession in return. Kalika quickly realises that giving in would crush her ambitions and reduce her to a caged existence.
When she rejects him, Ram turns vindictive. His mental harassment soon begins to shatter Kalika’s emotional wellbeing, leaving her devastated. The film’s gripping narrative shows how she confronts this cruelty and eventually rises above it.
A Relevant and Compelling Social Issue
The core theme is highly relevant in today’s complex world. Kalika highlights how mental abuse—especially towards women—can be far more damaging than physical violence. Raising awareness about this issue is not only important but necessary.
Stunning Performances
With the story revolving around Kalika, Ram, and Atharva, the lead trio delivers strong and memorable performances.
Raushni Srivastava brings authenticity and emotional depth to the titular role, portraying Kalika’s vulnerability, strength, and breakdowns with remarkable honesty.
Raja Guru is impressive as Ram, effortlessly oscillating between charm and menace. His character evokes both affection and fear, keeping viewers emotionally engaged.
Saarrh Kkashyap leaves a mark as Atharva, Kalika’s loyal friend, offering warmth and support in the midst of chaos.
Brilliant Direction
As both director and protagonist, Raushni Srivastava showcases grit, clarity, and artistic sensitivity. She extracts strong performances from her cast and carries her own central role with ease and conviction.
Technical Aspects
With its unconventional and largely unexplored subject matter, Kalika stands out as an off-beat film. The technical execution is commendable: the narrative remains focused, there are no songs to break the intensity, and the background score heightens the emotional impact throughout.
Final Verdict
Kalika is an eye-opening film that sheds light on the silent suffering experienced by victims of mental abuse, particularly young women. Many endure this harassment in silence, fearing defamation or disbelief.
The message the film delivers is clear and urgent: Women must stand up, speak out, and refuse to tolerate mental oppression.
