Vadh

The story brings with it the nostalgia of classic Hindi literature, the scenes from the filming location depict the reality of a large majority of Indians, the pace with which the story develops & the turns it takes at several key moments are truly enjoyable, especially for someone who either comes from or wishes to understand the India that is.

In times when entertainment has been limited to short outbursts of senseless titillations, bringing out a story that doesn't offer it, is simple, slow, predictable & yet, is moving, realistic & thought provoking is commendable.

Acting of all characters especially the protagonist makes the movie all the more alive & a good example of how slow building movies can be a great watch.

When you slaughter a demon, it is no longer a murder (hatya), but becomes a vadh (righteous kill).

And what a demon it is. Saurabh Sachdeva, as the loan shark who indulges in several degrees of depravities, is a disturbing revelation. With his baritone and his wandering eye, he will creep you out.

Sanjay Mishra is the victim of the loan shark. With his unshaven look, drooping shoulders and puffy eyes, Mishra personifies the debt ridden, troubled soul.

He shoots different arrows from his quiver of acting chops and gives one of the best performances in a character that has had several such memorable roles.

Nine Gupta and Manav Vij give solid support.

A word for the directors / writers. Selecting an unconventional city such as Gwalior as the location where the film is set (generally movies on dacoity have been shot here because of the proximity to Chambal belt) and then getting the patois perfectly and locations right is, literally, mind-blowing.

There are gaps in the script and it is no Drishyam. However, it is a superb film in its own right and ensures the viewer that quality films are still being made in Hindi.

Loved it.

The whole story centers around the blessing for a kid in disguise of the old couple who protected her. The character play of pandit ji and his wife is well played by the Sanjay and neena ji. Though the story overall sound like a story taken from a magazine but presented beautifully on the big screens. The entire cast have played their individual roles very well. So many emotions, hint of suspense and thrill makes it a whole. The locality, scenes, resources are perfectly picturised to shoot the scenes. Who likes to watch something new and theme based movies, should go for this one. Completely raw, no show off, no glitter, purely a middle class old couple story.

When you have two seasoned actors like Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta in the main roles, it is definite that you will watch some high class acting irrespective of the quality of the script. These two veterans always get under the skin of characters they play and also have the talent to rise above a mundane script. Fortunately the script and dialogue of this movie is good and the director has ensured that audience interest is maintained all through. The plot has enough suspense and though there are hardly any surprises it may not be right to call it predictable because it isn't. Sanjay and Neena play an aged middle class couple who have a son working in America. Sanjay had to take money from a loan shark to finance his son's move to America. Now with no money coming in from his son he defaults on payments and the loan shark make life hell for the old couple and they are also in the danger of losing their home to the money lenders.

Director duo Jaspal Singh Sandhu and Rajeev Barnwal have made the movie quite gripping and there are some tense moments. As mentioned the acting of the lead couple is top class. They make the entire narrative believable. Saurabh Sachdeva as the villain has done exceedingly well and his menacing look brings in the desired effect. Manav Vij plays the cop with conviction. This movie may not appeal to average audiences since it is not the typical commercial mainstream cinema and there is no humour, music or any such entertainment.

Vadh is a crime drama thriller film directed by jaspal singh sandhu and rajeev barnwal.

Sanjay mishra pulls a lifetime of a performance in this film. He is literally, the subtlest of actors i have seen. He plays a retired teacher with utmost sincerity, even his body had the marks of poverty. Neena gupta, though animated at times, does fairly well. Her chemistry with him was good. Manav vij and specially saurabh sachdeva shine throughout. Saurabh brings that madness in this otherwise calm and steady film. The assistant to manav's character was obnoxious, also given a petline which he says after almost every line.

The screenplay is impeccable in the first half but gets messy in the second. The setup in the first half is so strong that you want more from it in the latter. But in the second half, the investigation sets in which is written weak and gets resolved too quickly. The chekov's gun which was the first scene of the film was impactful, but the end feels rushed.

The background score is throbbing and impactful, clearly letting us feel the tension. But the cinematography is outstanding. Every shot of the noir genre is put to great use here. The scene in which lights go out after the perpetrator is killed is a brilliant one, the use of light and shadow was so pleasing. The ambiguity that sets in the second half was reminiscent of badlapur. The sound design too, was too true. The scene of cutting the pieces was really very violent. The metaphors of the perpetrator with the mice was good.

I rate it 9.