Vanvaas Movie Review: Nana Patekar’s Show All the Way
Anil Sharma, who began his career with emotionally driven films like Shradhanjali (1981) and Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (1983), later made his mark in the action genre with films like Hukumat (1987). With Vanvaas, it feels like the filmmaker has returned to his roots, offering a poignant and emotionally charged narrative.
Cast: Nana Patekar, Khushboo, Utkarsh Sharma, Simratt Kaur, Rajpal Yadav, Ashwini Kalsekar
Director: Anil Sharma
Genre: Drama
Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
Quick Take: Vanvaas explores the painful reality of elderly people being abandoned by their families and struggling to survive on their own.
Critic’s Rating: 3.5/5
Watching Vanvaas, one can’t help but wonder why Nana Patekar is not being utilized more by filmmakers today. Even at 75, Patekar possesses the charisma to carry a film on his own. He’s in better physical condition than most actors half his age, and when he fully immerses himself in a scene, it’s impossible not to be in awe. A standout moment comes in the film’s climax, where Patekar’s character, Deepak Tyagi, creates a pind out of snow and performs his own pind-daan (last rites), breaking down as he mourns his own death. It’s a masterful portrayal of grief and loneliness.
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Only one actor of his generation could arguably have done it better—Amitabh Bachchan. The comparison feels apt, given Bachchan’s role in Baghban (2003), where he portrayed a father abandoned by his grown-up children. However, unlike Bachchan’s character, who had the emotional support of his wife, Deepak Tyagi in Vanvaas is alone. His wife, Vimla (played by Khushboo in a rare Hindi film appearance), has passed away, and Deepak, suffering from dementia, is slowly losing his memories of her.
Abandoned by his three sons and daughters-in-law in Kashi, Deepak is left in a vulnerable state, with no identification or means of communication. His money is stolen, and his deteriorating memory convinces him that his children are missing in the crowd, rather than him being lost. It is here that he crosses paths with Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma), a petty conman who initially sees Deepak as an easy target. However, as an orphan himself, Veeru begins to sympathize with Deepak and vows to help him regain his memory. The rest of the film follows their journey, with Veeru joined by a diverse group of characters, including his girlfriend Sapna (Simratt Kaur), a nautch girl, her aunt (Ashwini Kalsekar), and his best friend (Rajpal Yadav).
At 160 minutes, Vanvaas feels overly long. Anil Sharma, adhering to his old-school filmmaking style, uses lip-synced songs as a narrative device. While these songs serve their purpose in the story, trimming or removing them could have significantly reduced the film’s runtime. While the music fits the context of the film, it lacks the lasting impact of more memorable songs.
Anil Sharma excels in capturing the lively atmosphere of Kashi and later Shimla, effectively portraying the bustling streets and chaotic energy. However, the film’s primary issue lies in the fact that, apart from Khushboo, who leaves the screen far too soon, no other actor comes close to matching Nana Patekar’s towering performance. Aware of this disparity, the director allows the narrative to often feel like a one-character play, with the camera relentlessly focused on Patekar. It seems that Patekar was given full freedom to interpret his role, resulting in a masterclass in acting. However, cinema is a collaborative medium, and the collaboration here feels uneven, as other actors struggle to keep up with Patekar’s intensity. Utkarsh Sharma deserves credit for his earnest attempt to match Patekar’s performance, though he still falls short.
In conclusion, Vanvaas is a deeply emotional drama that showcases Nana Patekar’s exceptional talent, but the film suffers from pacing issues and a lack of strong supporting performances. Still, for those who appreciate powerful performances and emotionally charged storytelling, Vanvaas offers a worthwhile experience.
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Vanvaas Official Trailer
