Vijay 69

In Vijay 69, Anupam Kher plays a retired elderly widower who begins to feel like a bit small, ashamed and unaccomplished when he looks at himself through the perceived eyes of society with no significant achievements to boast about or legacy to be remembered for. Some initial confusion results in his family and friends thinking that Anupam's character has taken his own life and even though his friends and family admire him for dedicating his life to teaching swimming to children, when new community members question what his real job was, he starts to question his life choices. He decides to make a difference.

After a brief search for feats that he can strive to achieve, he decides to become India's oldest Triathlete and compete in a state triathlon event. The movie follows Kher's Vijay as he tries to raise money, spirit and strength to compete in the event. He faces stiff resistance from his daughter, the sports organization and a competitive neighbor whose son is trying to become India's youngest triathlete. There are some amusing and entertaining moments that happen as Vijay tries to make a difference and create his legacy. Will he be able to jump over various hurdles and cross the finish line or at 69 or will his family, friends, doctors, society and fitness stop him from even running for his legacy.

Anupam Kher is very believable and does a good job through most of the movie but there are moments in the movie especially during the climax when the emotional needle of his performance moves from dramatic to overly melodramatic. I think this is more about the director's style and (in)experience than Kher's acting. Just like the signature, Vijay 69 looses steam right before the final act which is very unfortunate since it has all the right components to deliver a knockout punch. This is yet again another movie where Kher's performance is pulled down by inconsistent direction and mediocre acting by his supporting cast. Mihir Ahuja is pretty good as India's youngest triathlete but Chunky Pandey is OK and does get a bit over the top and cringeworthy in some scenes. The other actors dont get much screen time and hence cant make any impact.

This is a movie worth watching for the simple, relatable and emotional story, Kher's acting for most of the movie and some light humor and fun. A good and simple movie....could have been better. 7/10 for the movie and Kher's performance.

"Vijay 69," directed by Akshay Roy, is a slice-of-life film featuring Anupam Kher as Vijay Mathew, a former athlete and swimming coach who sacrificed his career for his terminally ill wife. Now older, Vijay feels unfulfilled and decides to participate in a triathlon despite limited support from his daughter and society. The movie highlights his strong friendship with Fali (played by Chunkey Pandey) and his unexpected bond with a young rival athlete, Aditya (Mihir Ahuja), showcasing friendship's power beyond age.

While the film stumbles in its early scenes with TV-like production and forced humor, it becomes compelling as Vijay begins his journey. Kher's performance, especially in the triathlon scenes, is a standout, capturing Vijay's determination and resilience. Pandey adds humor, while Sahil Bhardwaj's cinematography brings intensity to the triathlon. Despite some overdramatized moments, the film leaves a positive impression with its message about second chances and seizing the day.

This is a beautiful movie of determination, grit, friendships, with great actor like Anupam Kher delivering an unforgettable performance. The story is absolutely wonderful of an old man who had potential in his youth to do something but family pressures forced him out to chase his dreams. But at the age of 69 he decides to do something that will forever etch a memory of his in the hearts of his loved ones. The screenplay is perfect and story has a good mix of drama, fun and emotions. The story will make you think that everyone in their lives should do something that is memorable and not give up just due to reasons of age. The movie will bring tears of joy in the climax to almost everybody. Thank you team for such a wonderful experience.

Vijay 69 (2024), directed by Akshay Roy and streaming on Netflix, presents a heartwarming premise of a 69-year-old widower, Vijay, played by the legendary Anupam Kher, determined to conquer a triathlon. Backed by YRF Entertainment and Yash Raj Films, the movie sets out to deliver an inspirational slice-of-life story but struggles to break free from formulaic storytelling.

The film's premise, centered around a foul-mouthed yet endearing protagonist who rekindles his passion for swimming, holds promise on paper. However, the execution lacks the depth and creativity required to elevate it beyond a predictable narrative. From the start, it's clear that Vijay's journey will end in triumph, leaving little room for suspense or emotional stakes.

Anupam Kher's performance remains the film's standout feature. His ability to infuse humor, vulnerability, and determination into Vijay's character is commendable. Kher is the sole reason the movie retains any appeal, showcasing why he's considered a legend in Indian cinema. Unfortunately, even his stellar portrayal cannot rescue the film from its unimaginative storytelling.

The lack of narrative twists or fresh elements makes Vijay 69 feel like a missed opportunity. While the intention to inspire and uplift is clear, the film fails to truly engage, as the predictable plotline robs it of thrill and excitement. The movie ends up being a simple, feel-good story without much impact.

Rating: 5 - Watch Vijay 69 for Anupam Kher's heartfelt performance, but don't expect surprises or a gripping narrative. It's a film that plays it safe, delivering a mildly enjoyable but ultimately predictable experience.

The movie depicts a very simple story of Vijay, who's age is 69 and who gets very upset looking at his eulogy written by his friend. He wants to write something special which tells his entire life and what achievements he made. Fun loving, simple family drama but giving a very precious message. Age doesn't matter, every human in this world deserves his/her identity which is like a base of life. Everyone doesn't get a chance to achieve whatever they want in their young age but as it is said there is no time for any good thing to happen. Hence nobody should loose hope and keep trying until last.