Visfot (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – A Mumbai slum family’s cramped life contrasts a rich high-rise family’s luxury until their lives fatefully intersect one day.

My Take – With drug peddlers, local mafia, extramarital affairs, a ransom and corrupt police officers dominating the narrative it is easy to distinguish a Sanjay Gupta production. Gritty, stylish and star studded thrillers that used to be often seen across the release schedule of the 2000s.

His latest too, directed by Kookie Gulati (Prince, Dhokha: Round D Corner), an official remake of the Venezuelan film Rock, Paper, Scissors (2012), promised to be a slick, fast-paced noir experience and teeming with high energy to deliver a morality tale of sorts, pitting human greed against love and innocence.

But while the film offers several engaging moments and strong performances from its cast, it also suffers from plot inconsistencies and pacing issues.

Resulting in a decent entertainer that falls short of being a standout. Nevertheless, the Jio Cinema release is still one of the better thrillers streaming on OTT currently, mainly due to its intense screenplay and above average execution.

The story follows Shoaib (Fardeen Khan), a cab driver trying to make an honest living, away from the world of crime, all in order to take care of his dementia suffering mother (Sheeba Chadha), and hopefully one day settle down with his supportive girlfriend Lucky (Krystle D’Souza).

However, trouble comes knocking when he misplaces a jacket filled with illegal drugs belonging to his old pal Manya (Nachiket Purnapatre).

Meanwhile, Akash (Riteish Deshmukh), an airline pilot, sees his personal life unravel when he discovers his wife Tara (Priya Bapat) cheating on him. In a fit to catch her red handed, he leaves his son at a cafe under the care of Lucky.

But soon things escalate enough for the kid to land up at Shoaib’s house and become a victim of kidnapping for ransom. And unfortunately for all concerned, gangland queen Acid Tai (Seema Biwas) and a pair of corrupt cops are keen on prolonging the situation.

Stripped of layering, the 130-minute long film works well as an efficient and worthwhile thriller, nail-biting when it needs to be and with enough emotion to make the characters come alive.

Despite the complex narrative involving multiple characters and subplots, director Gulati manages to keep the film coherent and engaging. The back-and-forth narrative and dual tracks are handled with clarity, ensuring we remain invested in the unfolding drama.

However, the film’s pacing suffers in certain areas, especially during the second half, where the narrative seems to lose its momentum. Written by Abbas and Hussain Dalal, the film contains elements that require suspension of disbelief. The film’s climax, though engaging, could have benefitted from a more innovative resolution.

Performance wise, Fardeen Khan‘s portrayal is both grounded and compelling, capturing the desperation of a man caught in a spiraling mess. It’s refreshing to see him back on screen, and he doesn’t miss a beat. Riteish Deshmukh is as reliable as ever and once again proves that there’s more to his repertoire than comedy. He adds layers to Akash, conveying both his vulnerability and his inner turmoil.

Priya Bapat is excellent as always and Krystle D’Souza brings a certain charm and likeability to the proceedings. In supporting roles, Seema Biswas is menacing as Acid Tai, while Sheeba Chadha brings a poignant turn. On the whole, ‘Visfot’ is a flawed yet riveting thriller with compelling performances.