Ugly Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 14, 2026
Movie Overview: Ugly
| Movie | Ugly |
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Director | Anurag Kashyap |
| Genre | Thriller / Drama / Mystery / Crime |
| Runtime | 128 minutes |
| Language | HI |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Ugly (2013) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Ugly are led by Ronit Roy . The supporting cast, including Rahul Bhat and Vineet Kumar Singh , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Ugly stands out as a strong entry in the Thriller genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Thriller narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Ugly has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Thriller fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Ugly
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2013, Ugly is a Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Crime film directed by Anurag Kashyap. The narrative builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ronit Roy.
Ending Explained: Ugly
Ugly Ending Explained: Directed by Anurag Kashyap, Ugly resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core thriller themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Ronit Roy. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the thriller themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Ugly reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Ugly Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Ugly Based on a True Story?
Ugly draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a thriller, drama, mystery, crime film directed by Anurag Kashyap, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: Ugly uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Ugly?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Thriller films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Ronit Roy or the director
- Want suspenseful moments and mystery
Box Office Collection: Ugly
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $700.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.2M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Ugly Budget
The estimated production budget for Ugly is $700.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Ugly
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Where to Watch Ugly Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
JioHotstarUgly Parents Guide & Age Rating
2013 AdvisoryWondering about Ugly age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Ugly is 128 minutes (2h 8m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Ugly is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2013 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ugly worth watching?
Ugly is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Ugly parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Ugly identifies it as A. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Ugly?
The total duration of Ugly is 128 minutes, which is approximately 2h 8m long.
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Critic Reviews for Ugly
One of the darkest Indian movies. I had to make a conscious effort to move, after sitting motionless through the climax and the end credits. I don't recall seeing a darker Indian movie. When the movie ended, I felt UGLYNESS in my soul. That's not supposed to be a good thing, but I imagine that was the purpose. The story revolves around a 10 year old girl who goes missing. Her biological father is a struggling actor, her mother is an alcoholic and her husband is a top cop. Then there's a guy whose the actor's friend and is a casting director. There are a few more notable characters. The central characters are trying to figure out the whereabouts of the girl, but they all have bones to pick with each other. Here the title comes into play. What's uglier than the supposed kidnapping of the girl is that they all have their vested interests and that they're more keen on satisfying those then actually finding the girl. The journey to the climax brings out the ugliness within these flawed characters. And it's not one for the faint hearted. Anurag Kashyap is my favorite Indian director of this day and age so I'm always a bit biased towards his movies but Ugly has got to be his finest work till date. The story isn't flawless, but the direction is. Mr Kashyap succeeds completely in bringing out the ugliness of his characters, who could easily be breathing and walking human beings amongst us, which makes it all the more chilling. The acting by entire cast was superb. Each and every one of them brought their characters alive on screen. You could feel strongly for them, hate, sorrow, pity and a lot more. The screenplay and editing is tight, dialogs too good and natural. I felt there were 2-3 loopholes and if not for them, the actual story could've been perfect. All in all a definite 9 out of 10 for me.
**One of the darkest Indian movies** I had to make a conscious effort to move, after sitting motionless through the climax and the end credits. I don't recall seeing a darker Indian movie. When the movie ended, I felt **UGLYNESS** in my soul. That's not supposed to be a good thing, but I imagine that was the purpose. The story revolves around a 10 year old girl who goes missing. Her biological father is a struggling actor, her mother is an alcoholic and her husband is a top cop. Then there's a guy whose the actor's friend and is a casting director. There are a few more notable characters. The central characters are trying to figure out the whereabouts of the girl, but they all have bones to pick with each other. Here the title comes into play. What's uglier than the supposed kidnapping of the girl is that they all have their vested interests and that they're more keen on satisfying those then actually finding the girl. The journey to the climax brings out the ugliness within these flawed characters. And it's not one for the faint hearted. Anurag Kashyap is my favorite Indian director of this day and age so I'm always a bit biased towards his movies but Ugly has got to be his finest work till date. The story isn't flawless, but the direction is. Mr. Kashyap succeeds completely in bringing out the ugliness of his characters, who could easily be breathing and walking human beings amongst us, which makes it all the more chilling. The acting by entire cast was superb. Each and every one of them brought their characters alive on screen. You could feel strongly for them, hate, sorrow, pity and a lot more. The screenplay and editing is tight, dialogues too good and natural. I felt there were 2-3 loopholes and if not for them, the actual story could've been perfect. **All in all a definite 9 out of 10 for me.**
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










