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Drama thriller

Despatch (2024): Cast & Ratings

Despatch (2024) movie poster

Despatch is a 2024 drama thriller directed by Kanu Behl, starring Shahana Goswami as Shweta Varma, Manoj Bajpayee and Rii Sen. It runs 2 hours 31 minutes. IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Echo Score
44
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Despatch (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 31m (151 min)
Director
Kanu Behl
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
Hindi
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Despatch About?

The premise of Despatch without spoilers.

As news goes digital, veteran crime reporter Joy struggles against fading relevance. Determined to land a career‑changing story and redeem himself, he dives into Mumbai’s murky underworld, confronting corrupt officials and ruthless gangs while unearthing hidden, dangerous secrets that could change everything.

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Cast & crew

Despatch Cast & Characters

Shahana Goswami leads the cast as Shweta Varma, with Manoj Bajpayee as Joy Deb and Rii Sen as Noori Rai. Directed by Kanu Behl; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Despatch

· 5 more
From the director

More from Kanu Behl

More films directed by Kanu Behl: Agra, Binnu Ka Sapna and Titli.

Full filmography
Ratings

Despatch Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Despatch 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 44/100, strongest in art & craft (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (32).

44 /100

Despatch Echo Score Breakdown

Despatch delivers a visually competent but narratively uneven experience. While the cinematography and production design receive occasional commendation, the story suffers from a fragmented structure, sluggish pacing, and an overreliance on gratuitous adult content that distracts rather than enriches. Performances oscillate between moments of authenticity and inconsistency, leaving audiences disconnected from the characters. Consequently, the film offers limited replay value and struggles to satisfy either critics or viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases moments of visual flair, particularly its production design and cinematography, which several reviewers highlighted as appealing. However, issues such as inconsistent editing, unclear audio, and occasional technical lapses undermine the overall polish. The direction attempts a gritty aesthetic but lacks cohesion, resulting in a mixed impression of the film's artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 48

    When it comes to character and emotion, Manoj Bajpayee's performance is praised for its intensity, yet many find his portrayal uneven across the lengthy runtime. Supporting actors receive sporadic acknowledgment, but overall character arcs are described as underdeveloped and confusing. The chemistry between roles fails to coalesce, leading to a fragmented emotional impact that weakens audience engagement.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The story and flow are widely regarded as the film's weakest element. Reviewers cite a disjointed narrative, ponderous pacing, and an overabundance of subplots that dilute the central investigative premise. The grim tone and excessive adult scenes further distract from plot clarity, leaving viewers uncertain about the film's purpose and resulting in a largely unsatisfying storytelling experience.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    Sensory experience receives mixed feedback; the visual style, especially the cinematography, earns praise for its composition. Conversely, sound design suffers from poor dialogue clarity and uneven audio mixing. The soundtrack does not notably enhance mood, and gratuitous nudity is viewed as extraneous, diminishing the overall sensory cohesion of the piece.

  • Rewatch Factor 32

    Rewatch factor is low, as most viewers describe the film as a one‑time curiosity rather than a repeatable experience. Narrative confusion, sluggish tempo, and the prevalence of unnecessary scenes discourage repeat viewings. Only dedicated fans of the lead actor might revisit it, but the broader audience is unlikely to find lasting appeal in subsequent watches.

  • IMDb logo IMDb

    4.4 /10

    5162 votes

Videos

Despatch Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Despatch.

Despatch | Official Trailer | Manoj Bajpayee | Kanu Behl | Premieres 13th Dec Only On ZEE5

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FAQ

Despatch FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Despatch, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Despatch?

Despatch runs 2 hours 31 minutes (151 minutes).

When was Despatch released?

Despatch was released on October 19, 2024.

Who directed Despatch?

Despatch was directed by Kanu Behl.

More films by Kanu Behl

Who is in the cast of Despatch?

Despatch stars Shahana Goswami as Shweta Varma, Manoj Bajpayee as Joy Deb and Rii Sen as Noori Rai, among 9 credited actors.

How is Despatch rated?

Despatch has 4.4/10 on IMDb.

Does Despatch have a post-credit scene?

No. Despatch has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Despatch in?

The original language of Despatch is Hindi.

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