# City Lights review: Vijay Kumar delivers raw, empathetic crime drama 2026-09-19T06:21:43+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets City Lights, directed by Vijay Kumar, is set in Bengaluru's Majestic area and follows Shiva (Vinay Rajkumar), a village orphan who arrives in the city seeking work, and Monisha (Monisha Vijaykumar), a woman searching for her missing younger brother. Both are drawn into the city's underworld. Cinema Express calls it the director's 'rawest, most empathetic work yet,' praising the performances and the film's tenderness toward marginalised characters, including transgender people and sex workers. It notes the film's world-building and character work as strengths, though some subplots feel underutilised. Deccan Herald, by contrast, says the film is 'fragmented and falls flat,' with too many narrative strands and a predictable plot. It finds some action sequences forced and criticises Umashree's performance as disappointing, while acknowledging Vinay Rajkumar's impressive action and Monisha's decent debut. Both outlets agree on the film's focus on the nexus of politicians, police, and criminals in Bengaluru's dark underbelly. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The reviews differ sharply on execution. Cinema Express emphasises the film's empathy and layered world-building, treating its crowded screenplay as a minor flaw, Deccan Herald foregrounds the same density as a fatal fragmentation. Neither outlet challenges the other's facts, but their verdicts diverge on whether the film's ambition is a strength or a weakness. A balanced take: City Lights risks incoherence by juggling many threads, yet its quieter, humane moments may reward viewers willing to sit with its mess. The film releases in theatres this weekend, and audience reception will settle which reading holds. ## Coverage - cinemaexpress.com (neutral report) Praises film's empathy and craft, notes flaws but overall favourable review - deccanherald.com (neutral report) Critical of execution, calls film fragmented and predictable Tags: Bengaluru, City Lights, Vijay Kumar, Vinay Rajkumar Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/city-lights-review-vijay-kumar-delivers-raw-empathetic-crime-drama/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/city-lights-review-vijay-kumar-delivers-raw-empathetic-crime-drama/#story-in-brief