Drishyam fame Jeethu Joseph's new crime thriller film Mirage, starring Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali in the lead roles, was released in theatres on 19th September 2025 and premiered on the OTT platform SonyLIV on 23rd October 2025.
The plot of Mirage centers on Abhirami (Aparna Balamurali), who is distraught after her fiancé Kiran (Hakim Shahjahan) goes missing without explanation. Later, she learns he died in a train accident. Meanwhile, an investigative journalist, Ashwin (Asif Ali), who had been tracking Kiran before his death, approaches Abhirami to look into the suspicious circumstances surrounding Kiran’s demise.
The film unfolds the truth — was it really an accident, or is there a deeper mystery behind Kiran's death? Obviously, the expectations were high, as we know Jeethu Joseph will always be considered one of the finest Indian directors — someone who understands the audience's pulse exceptionally well and pays close attention to building subplots that keep us engaged with his storytelling.
That said, the first half felt pretty ordinary, with hardly any moments that made me feel like I was watching a thriller directed by Jeethu Joseph. However, the story picks up in the second half, and in the last 40–45 minutes, you get twist after twist, leading to an ending that takes you somewhere you never imagined — and leaves you excited.
Performance-wise, Asif Ali was outstanding. He had a brilliantly written character and delivered exactly what we expected from him, especially standing out with a top-notch performance in the climax. Aparna Balamurali truly emerges as the show-stealer in the role of Abhirami. The character is layered with depth and a meaningful backstory, and Aparna delivers a remarkable performance that keeps the you engaged through her innocence and simplicity.
The on-screen chemistry between Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali is convincing, highlighted by a few strong moments, such as the scene where Ashwin rescues Abhirami from the fire. Hakim Shahjahan as Kiran looks convincing throughout, and his scenes with Aparna Balamurali are equally effective and well-performed. Hannah Reji Koshy as Hrithika, Saravanan as Rajkumar, Sampath Raj as SP Aarumugam IPS, and Deepak Parambol as Prakash/PK all made notable contributions to their respective roles.
The issue lies in the underdeveloped subplots, which is quite uncommon for a Jeethu Joseph film. The climax felt rushed, with events unfolding too quickly and lacking adequate buildup. Satheesh Kurup’s cinematography was passable, while Vinayakh’s editing could have been sharper, especially in the first half. Vishnu Shyam’s music complemented the narrative reasonably well.
Mirage may not be Jeethu Joseph’s most polished work in terms of subplot development, but it still stands as an engaging crime thriller thanks to its gripping final act.
Rating: 7/10
Q: Who directed the crime thriller film Mirage?
A: Mirage was directed by Drishyam fame Jeethu Joseph, known
for his gripping storytelling and mastery in building suspenseful subplots.
Q: Who are the lead actors in the film?
A: The film stars Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali in the lead
roles.
Q: When was Mirage released in theatres and on OTT?
A: Mirage was released in theatres on 19th September 2025
and later premiered on SonyLIV on 23rd October 2025.
Q: What is the central plot of Mirage?
A: The story revolves around Abhirami (Aparna Balamurali),
who is heartbroken after her fiancé Kiran (Hakim Shahjahan) goes missing and is
later declared dead in a train accident. However, things take a mysterious turn
when investigative journalist Ashwin (Asif Ali), who had been following Kiran
before his death, approaches Abhirami to uncover the truth behind Kiran’s
demise.
Q: What is the main mystery in the film?
A: The film explores whether Kiran’s death was truly an
accident or if there’s a deeper, darker mystery behind it.
Q: How does Mirage perform in terms of storytelling?
A: The first half feels quite ordinary, lacking the engaging
tension usually found in Jeethu Joseph’s thrillers. However, the narrative
gains momentum in the second half, leading to a spectacular final 40–45 minutes
filled with twist after twist and a surprising, satisfying conclusion.
Q: How are the performances by the lead actors?
A: Asif Ali delivers a brilliant performance, especially
shining in the climax. Aparna Balamurali emerges as the true show-stealer,
portraying Abhirami with emotional depth and subtlety that keep viewers
connected throughout.
Q: How is the chemistry between Asif Ali and Aparna
Balamurali?
A: Their on-screen chemistry is natural and convincing, with
notable moments like the fire rescue scene standing out as emotional
highlights.
Q: How did the supporting cast perform?
A: Hakim Shahjahan as Kiran, Hannah Reji Koshy as Hrithika, Saravanan
as Rajkumar, Sampath Raj as SP Aarumugam IPS, and Deepak Parambol as Prakash/PK
all deliver noteworthy performances that strengthen the film’s narrative.
Q: What about the technical aspects of the film?
A: The subplots could have been more developed, which is
unusual for a Jeethu Joseph film. The climax, though engaging, felt rushed. Satheesh
Kurup’s cinematography was decent, Vinayakh’s editing could have been tighter
in the first half, and Vishnu Shyam’s music supported the film well without
overpowering the scenes.
Q: What’s the final verdict on Mirage?
A: Mirage may not be Jeethu Joseph’s most polished work in
terms of subplot development, but it still stands as an engaging crime thriller
thanks to its gripping final act. The last 45 minutes—packed with twist after
twist—remind us of Jeethu’s strength in delivering edge-of-the-seat suspense.
Supported by compelling performances from Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali,
Mirage ends on a high note, proving that even with its flaws, it’s a film worth
watching for its unpredictable and thrilling climax.
 Movie Review: A Thrilling Finale Packed with Unpredictable Twists){kind=link}
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