Stolen

Story: The film uses the framework of a kidnapping to explore weightier themes-the corrupting influence of money, the abuse of surrogacy rights, and the modern plague of fake news. This layered narrative makes the film more than just a thriller; it's a mirror to our times.

The result is an atmospheric thriller that resonates well beyond its runtime.

Screenplay: The screenplay is taut and unrelenting. Every scene adds weight to the narrative, ensuring the tension remains high without ever feeling forced. It's a masterclass in how to balance storytelling economy with emotional heft.

Direction: Karan Tejpal's direction is commendably restrained. He maintains a tight grip on the story, choosing to let silence and atmosphere do the heavy lifting rather than overt dramatics.

Performances: Abhishek Banerjee delivers a standout performance, bringing intensity and vulnerability to his role. Mia Maelzer, as Jhumpa, is a revelation-her portrayal is raw, grounded, and heartbreakingly human.

Cinematography: The use of sparsely populated, almost desolate locations reinforces the psychological landscape of the characters.

Music: The minimalist score is used sparingly but effectively, never intruding upon the storytelling. It enhances rather than dictates emotion-a refreshing change.

Editing: Crisp and calculated, the editing keeps the narrative tight. The decision to avoid flashbacks helps maintain the film's forward momentum and adds to its real-time urgency.

Highlights: The biggest triumph of the film is its refusal to be preachy. Despite tackling multiple social issues, the messaging is woven seamlessly into the plot-never delivered at the cost of entertainment.

Drawbacks: The only notable shortcoming is its somewhat soft ending. After such a tightly wound buildup, the resolution feels slightly underplayed, leaving one craving a more impactful close.

Did I Enjoy It?

Yes. It's a smart, moody thriller that builds atmosphere and tension without resorting to clichés.

Will I Recommend It?

Absolutely. Especially to viewers who appreciate thrillers with substance and social relevance.

Stolen is a raw and rustic survival drama that starts setting up the plot right from the first frame. The characters step in quickly, and the drama begins to unfold in a real and raw manner. The acting performances are both rustic and impressive. Abhishek Banerjee balances both sides of his character-being a rich, stiff kind of guy and a man trapped in gory danger. Mia Maelzer is organic in her rural Bengali portrayal and expresses emotions in a very real way.

Shubham plays his part well.

The movie is a survival drama where the characters keep getting caught in a loop of traps. The best part of the film is the way it's shot-especially the chaotic scenes, where you feel the intensity and suffocation. Somewhere in the second half, the movie loses momentum with its repeatedly long chase sequences, despite a crisp 90-minute runtime. Towards the end, the dots connect, and everything starts to make sense. Overall, Stolen may not be a trendy commercial film, but it has all the elements of a gritty, rustic survival drama, with action and realism in storytelling, showcasing different themes of society such as misinformation and classism.

OVERALL 7/10.

Karan Tejpal's Stolen is a taut psychological thriller that unfolds like an observation of complicity under a conscientious microscope. The vision of self creeps in quietly, and leaves you staring at yourself longer than you'd like.

Set in the blistering stillness of rural India, the film begins with a crime: a baby is stolen from a mother sleeping on a railway platform. But this plot is only the surface. The deeper drama lies in how the event reverberates through the psyches of the two urban brothers who happen to be at the site of crime.

What makes Stolen compelling is its refusal to deliver catharsis. There are no heroes here, only spectators. The camera lingers on what it means to observe thus making the theft of the child a symbolic act of everything that is routinely taken from the invisible lower class by the booming higher class that watches, pities, and moves on.

The psychological tension between the characters stems from their internal dissonance, but it also triggers our own. As their silence becomes contagious, our privileges grow porous; while we ask ourselves, what have we become in our cumulative inaction?

Tejpal is particularly astute in portraying how the mind rationalises guilt. One brother intellectualises it, tries to help without awareness of ground realities, the other tries to ignore, flee from social responsibility, all the while justifying his cold-heartedness to himself. However, neither escape. The film quietly reveals how avoidance metastasises into self-estrangement. Their shared silence becomes a third character, more haunting than the crime itself.

Stolen embraces restraint, building an atmosphere of moral claustrophobia: long takes, chaotic dialogue, and a slow unravelling that mirrors how trauma often seeps in sideways.

What elevates the film is its unflinching look at the psychology of witnessing. In an age where tragedies are scrolled past, at the most just re-posted, Stolen asks:

• What is the emotional cost of observing pain and doing nothing?

• When does inaction become a form of violence?

Stolen leaves you not with answers, but with discomforting questions, the kind that don't fade with the credits.

• Were we primarily rooting for the safety of the brothers or justice for the mother?

• Throughout the film, how much did we distrust based on social status of characters?

• How many actions did we compartmentalise as 'practical' or 'emotional'?

• Is our urge of sticking to the safe zone, dangerous for those with lesser social power?

• What's our responsibility towards those with lesser power than us?

It's a reminder that sometimes, what's taken isn't just an external object, but a part within us, we didn't know was still intact.

Just saw Stolen on Prime Video and am I glad I picked it up. What a compelling Hindi thriller that defies typical Bollywood conventions, delivering a truly gritty and nail-biting experience.

Directed by Karan Tejpal, the film plunges two urban brothers, Gautam (Abhishek Banerjee) and Raman (Shubham Vardhan), into a desperate search for a kidnapped baby in rural India, after they are mistaken for the culprits.

The film's strength lies in its relentless pacing and raw realism. The rural chases are expertly choreographed, feeling authentic and genuinely tense, far removed from stylized action.

Abhishek Banerjee delivers a standout performance as Gautam, portraying his character's transformation from privileged reluctance to desperate resilience with remarkable depth. Shubham Vardhan as Raman and Mia Maelzer as the distraught mother, Jhumpa, also provide solid, emotionally resonant performances, grounding the harrowing narrative.

Stolen subtly weaves in poignant social commentary on mob mentality, systemic failures, and societal divides without ever feeling preachy. It's a lean, 90-minute ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, proving that powerful storytelling doesn't need grandiosity.

A must-watch for those seeking a unique and impactful thriller.

A refreshing story and take on storytelling compared to the current-age bollywood films.

All the actors are fantastic. But the real winner is the director and producer here. Very unique shots and realistic way of creating a immersive experience.

A good light upon the India that we don't see, just scroll through. This is coming from a Tier 1 city audience.

Also what really caught my attention was that there was little to no background music. And it didn't need a loud, melodramatic score. So that was a very unconventional, brilliant choice as well.

I hope more movies like this are made that are socially relevant and entertaining!