Action, Crime, Thriller

One Day-Justice Delivered

Cast: Anupam Kher, Kumud Mishra, Esha Gupta
Director: Ashok Nanda
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Play time: 01:49:00
release Year: 2019

Synopsis:

Kumud Mishra is standing right there in the middle of a dingy interrogation room sweating profusely while staring down a terrifyingly calm Anupam Kher who's holding a heavy metal gavel like it's a terrifying weapon and honestly this whole random mid-movie torture scene is just wild because nobody warned me it would get this dark. Look, to actually understand why Anupam Kher is aggressively holding a retired judge hostage in a basement, we gotta back up and look at the setup of One Day-Justice Delivered, which is this weirdly intense thriller that somehow fits right into the usual massive catalog of gritty crime hindi films we get from bollywood nowadays where regular cops are just totally useless. Esha Gupta plays this tough-talking crime branch cop named Laxmi Rathi who is running around the city trying to figure out why high-profile people are straight-up vanishing into thin air without a trace, and seriously, pay attention to the background extra who plays a cop in her office because he wears this neon green striped sweater that completely clashes with the drab grey walls of the police station and I couldn't stop staring at it for like ten minutes straight. People are disappearing left and right, and and then boom, we find out that Anupam Kher plays this super unassuming, mild-mannered retired judge named Tyagi who has secretly disguised himself as a security guard and is kidnapping all these corrupt lawyers, politicians, and bad guys who totally escaped justice because of loopholes in the legal system, and he’s holding secret mock trials in a damp underground hideout to force them to confess on camera before brutally killing them. God, the pacing in this movie is just all over the place, and right before the interval block when the tension is supposed to be super high, they randomly drop this weird, totally out-of-place romantic flashback song sequence that completely halts the momentum of the crime investigation, which is a classic bollywood movies move that never fails to make me laugh out loud. Anyway, Laxmi figures out that the missing people cases are all connected to the retired judge, and things escalate so fast when she raids the hideout that you literally miss half the plot twists unless you are staring dead at the screen the whole time. Kumud Mishra's character gets cornered, the dramatic confrontations start piling up, and Tyagi refuses to back down from his vigilante mission because he truly believes the actual judicial system is completely broken and needs his personal touch to fix it. By the time we hit the climax, Tyagi has live-streamed a confession of a deeply corrupt politician to the entire nation, exposing all the dirty secrets, and then he just calmly pulls out his own gun and shoots himself right there in front of Laxmi to make his final, dramatic statement about the absolute failure of justice in the country.

Movie Review:

The film presents a gripping narrative that explores the complexities of justice and morality. Anupam Kher delivers a powerful performance, embodying his character with depth and conviction. His portrayal of a seasoned police officer grappling with personal and professional dilemmas captures the audience's attention from the start.

Kumud Mishra complements Kher's performance well, providing a nuanced depiction of an antagonist whose motivations are both relatable and unsettling. The chemistry between the characters adds layers to the story, making the interactions believable and engaging.

Esha Gupta shines in her role, bringing a fresh perspective to the plot. Her character's journey intertwines with the central theme, adding emotional weight to the storyline. The film's pacing keeps viewers on edge, with unexpected twists that challenge preconceived notions of justice.

Cinematography is commendable, effectively setting the tone and enhancing the narrative's intensity. The background score further elevates key moments, ensuring that the emotional beats resonate.

While the film tackles serious issues, it also offers moments of reflection and moral questioning, inviting audiences to ponder the nature of justice in society. Overall, this cinematic experience is thought-provoking and leaves a lasting impression, making it worth a watch for fans of thrillers and social dramas alike.