Lockdown Movie Review : a pandemic story that works better in concept than execution

By Susmita Sameera



Lockdown is set in a small town in North Karnataka and revolves around college sweethearts Chandu (Vijay Vignesh) and Anu (Vanishree Srinivas). Taking advantage of Anu’s parents travelling out of town for a family function, the couple plans to spend a few days together at her house. However, their plans are abruptly disrupted when the family returns within hours after news breaks of a nationwide lockdown due to the rapid spread of coronavirus cases. Left with no option, Chandu hides under Anu’s bed just as the entire family settles back into the house. What follows is a situational comedy driven by the couple’s desperate attempts to ensure Chandu escapes unnoticed during the lockdown.



Alongside the central pair, the film introduces Anu’s family members, including her parents, grandparents, younger sister, and uncle, all of whom contribute to the narrative. The house itself becomes an important part of the storytelling. Though most of the film unfolds within this large old home, along with a few neighbouring houses and streets, the setting rarely feels visually repetitive. The supporting characters from the neighbourhood also add flavour to the film, particularly a couple played by Manju Mudgal and Shravani BH, whose affair is complicated by the restrictions of the lockdown, and an elderly woman constantly observing the activities around the locality.



The film also attempts to capture different aspects of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it presents lighter moments involving people rushing to secure alcohol supplies during the lockdown, it also touches upon the harsher realities of the period, including deaths where family members are unable to see their loved ones for the final time, sealed streets, difficulties in accessing hospitals, and quarantine-related struggles. These moments help the film move beyond its central comedic premise and reflect the atmosphere of uncertainty that defined the time.





From a technical and creative standpoint, Lockdown makes a sincere effort. However, the film often reveals the inexperience of its team across departments, particularly in writing, performances, and execution. Despite an interesting one-line premise built around a boyfriend hiding inside his girlfriend’s home throughout the lockdown, the film eventually shifts towards a much more emotional and tragic climax, which feels tonally different from the playful setup established earlier.