Vanvas movie review: Nana Patekar & Utkarsh Sharma-directed

Vanvas Review: Nana Patekar & Utkarsh Sharma-directed family drama falls prey to clichéd screenplay, cliched storyline and long duration despite good intentions

Vanvas movie review: Nana Patekar & Utkarsh Sharma-directed family drama falls prey to clichéd screenplay Directed by Anil Sharma and starring Nana Patekar, Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur and others, Vanvas is now running in a theatre near you.

Directed by Anil Sharma, Vanvas revolves around Deepak Tyagi (Nana Patekar), a widower suffering from dementia who lives in Shimla with his three grown-up children. When his children abandon him in Varanasi by pretending that he has died by drowning in the Ganges, Deepak wanders about, completely confused.

He meets Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma), a local orphan and petty thief. Initially, Veeru exploits Deepak, but soon, he realises the gravity of the situation when he learns about the plight of many abandoned elderly people in Varanasi. After an attempt to send Deepak to an ashram in Visakhapatnam, Veeru’s girlfriend Meena (Simrat Kaur) reveals that it is a fraudulent setup for a kidney theft.

The story then revolves around Veeru, Meena and others who attempt to rescue Deepak, take him back home to Shimla and confront his abusive children and seek justice for him.

In this town full of religion and various evils, Babuji meets Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma), a petty thief with a good heart, and his two companions (including Yadav). Veeru does some bad things, but eventually turns good, as in all such films – though most films turn good too early.

Veeru has Meena (Kaur), who has an aunt (Kalashekar). And of course, there is a scene in which Veeru asks the reluctant aunt for Meena’s hand. But lest it go copyright Sholay, it is left out. Not Meena or the aunt, though, who wander around this slow story for no reason and without any purpose.

In some parts, Anil Sharma suggests that he is capable of making a more thoughtful film, and imagining a world that has shades of grey, not just black and white. For instance, Tyagi’s children are allowed at least a few moments of genuine grievance.

There are aspects of the friendship between orphan Veeru and orphan Babuji in Varanasi that feel genuine. Tyagi’s habit of speaking impeccable English along with complex Hindi or Sanskrit shlokas to explain things is quite funny at times.

What Works for Vanvas

Vanvas’ heart is in the right place.It’s clear that this film was made out of passion and not just for commercial gain, and this adds a layer of authenticity to its story.

What Doesn’t Work for Vanvas

Vanvas struggles with several execution flaws. The screenplay feels outdated, relying too much on cliches seen in several previous films. The pace of the film is too slow, dragging the story for over 2 hours and 40 minutes. This may test the patience of even the most empathetic viewer.

The plot lacks depth and novelty, making the film feel like a lost opportunity to delve deeper into its potentially rich themes. The length of the film, coupled with its predictable plot points, diminishes the viewing experience to a great extent.

Performances in Vanvas

Nana Patekar gives a nuanced performance in the role of Deepak Tyagi, capturing the essence of a man lost in his own mind with a touch of authenticity. Utkarsh Sharma, as Veeru, manages to convey his character’s transformation from a thief to a kind-hearted helper decently.

Simrat Kaur’s role as Meena gives little scope to show off her acting skills. The supporting cast has given adequate performances, but none of the performances really take the film beyond the limitations of its script.

Final Verdict on Vanvas

Ultimately, Vanvas is a film that, despite its sincere intentions, fails to leave a lasting impact due to its execution. The great themes are drowned out by a cliched story and a screenplay that neither captivates nor innovates. Though the performances are decent, they are not enough to rescue the film from its pacing and predictability problems.

Vanvas could have been a poignant critique on the abandonment of the elderly, but it turns out to be a film that one can appreciate for its heart, but is difficult to watch completely due to its many shortcomings.