Parineeti Chopra's investigative drama Reporting Live offers brisk pace but predictable twists

Plot and Premise

Directed by Dhruv Tripathi, the new film Reporting Live follows journalist Sandhya Yadav, played by Parineeti Chopra, as she waits for her first primetime scoop. Her team includes video journalist Vinod Sharma, played by Deven Bhojani, who carries a hip-flask. When a bridge collapses in Visargao and sends a bus plunging into the river, the tragedy claims 15 lives and is initially dismissed as a simple accident. Sandhya and Vinod investigate the site on the banks of a river, going sleuthing in tall unfinished buildings and other dangerous places, before stumbling upon a darker truth connecting illegal sand mining to the bridge collapse. The duo must navigate threats to their lives and careers while dealing with supportive types and unhelpful seniors to bring the truth to light. The nearly two-hour film also features an antagonist played by Nasser as a construction magnate who shows up in person to threaten them.

Performances and Direction

Parineeti Chopra delivers a single-note performance as the never-say-die reporter, while Deven Bhojani makes you genuinely feel for his character. The film's ensemble includes Adil Hussain and Shekhar Suman as newsroom bosses who run a TRP-hungry TV network, Amol Palekar as the helpful Kaka who acts as a conduit, and Pitobash Tripathy as his aide. Shekhar Suman fits the role of a cunning businessman, and Adil Hussain has an effortless likeability, though some scenes feature exaggerated tropes like a Rang de Basanti-style heist of the anchor desk. Reviewers noted that the newsroom atmosphere avoids unnecessary glamourisation and is closer to No One Killed Jessica in its depiction of round-the-clock job stress, featuring research that mentions land leases, protected areas, and the green tribunal. However, the predictable writing, a repetitive background score, and a lack of true investigative tension let down the promising premise.

Context

Investigative dramas in Indian cinema often tackle gritty real-world issues like illegal resource extraction and bureaucratic corruption, drawing inspiration from high-profile journalism. Films in this genre typically explore the heavy personal and professional toll that reporters face when challenging powerful nexus figures. Reviewers frequently compare such fictional newsroom depictions to acclaimed OTT series and past cinematic milestones to evaluate their realism and dramatic impact.