This Lokesh Kanagaraj film is the purest example of Midnight Target Entertainment in Indian cinema. A recently released prisoner (Dilli) must help a dying police officer transport a batch of poisoned alcohol to a hospital—all before midnight, while a gang of drug lords hunts them. The entire film occurs over one night. No songs, no romance, just a raw, gritty, real-time race against death. Its Hindi remake (and the original’s pan-Indian success) proved that Indian audiences crave this format.
The format is not without its flaws. Bollywood’s penchant for over-extension can undermine the tight, lean nature of the midnight target. A 165-minute film that should be 110 minutes often introduces a forced love triangle or a comic sidekick who breaks the nocturnal spell. Moreover, the logic of Indian police procedurals in these films is frequently fantastical—heroes surviving multiple bullet wounds to reach the target at 11:59 PM. This Lokesh Kanagaraj film is the purest example
A hardcore counter-terrorism thriller, Baby features an entire subplot involving a midnight operation in a hostile country. The film’s second half is a masterclass in sustained tension, with the team racing against a terrorist’s timeline. The “midnight target” is literal: a terrorist leader who must be extracted or eliminated before dawn breaks over a crowded market. No songs, no romance, just a raw, gritty,
In 2023 and 2024, multiple midnight shows in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh turned into riots. Fans of rival stars (a common occurrence during clashes between the Khan factions or South dubbed heroes) have engaged in vandalism, tearing down posters and setting fire to screens. In 2023 and 2024
Increased demand for IMAX and 3D experiences led theaters to run the film for 21 hours a day, including new late-night slots.