Vanvaas Film Review: A Nostalgic Stroll Down Melodrama Lane with a Dash of Modern Relevance

🤪🤪🤪 out of 5️⃣

Well, folks, here we go again – another dose of Bollywood’s signature melodrama, this time delivered by Anil Sharma’s latest offering, ‘Vanvaas’. Picture this – an elderly man abandoned by his own blood, a ruffian with a heart of gold, and copious quantities of emotions running high. Sounds familiar? That’s because it is, but let’s plunge into this saga anyhow, shall we?

The story revolves around Deepak Tyagi – excellently portrayed by Nana Patekar – an unfortunate chap with dementia, who ends up being the ‘surprise’ in his own surprise birthday party, when his sons decide to abandon him in Varanasi. As Deepak grapples with his failing memory and the shocking betrayal, he crosses paths with a small-time crook, Veeru (a somewhat convincing Utkarsh Sharma). And, in true Bollywood fashion, this unlikely pair embarks on a journey that will change their lives forever.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. ‘Vanvaas’ had all the makings of a poignant social drama – a pressing issue, complex characters, and a director with a knack for addressing societal issues. But the result? An overcooked dish that took too long to serve and lost its savor in the process. The 160-minute runtime and overdone melodrama made me feel like I was watching a saas-bahu serial on repeat.

Patekar, though, was the saving grace of this otherwise tedious film. His portrayal of a man grappling with dementia, and the heartbreak of being abandoned by his family, was nothing short of brilliant. Almost every scene was a testament to his acting prowess. The rest of the cast did their bit, with Utkarsh Sharma showing promise, despite his fluctuating Banarasi accent that often had me raising my eyebrows.

The film’s intent was noble, no doubt. But the preachy tone and endless melodrama felt like a hammer repeatedly pounding the message into our brains. The dialogues, sprinkled with philosophical gems from Karl Marx and BR Ambedkar, felt like a lecture that went on for far too long. And the songs? Well, let’s just say they were as memorable as yesterday’s weather.

The beautiful cinematography, capturing the essence of Varanasi, was a visual treat, but it couldn’t mask the glaring gaps in the narrative or the lack of depth in exploring the motivation behind the sons’ cruel decision.

So, this is your Review Rani signing off with a piece of advice – if you’re planning to watch ‘Vanvaas’, make sure you’re armed with a large tub of popcorn and a truckload of patience!

Rani’s Wrap-Up: ‘Vanvaas’ – A long-winded saga that could have been a short, impactful narrative. But hey, at least the cinematography was good! 🎥😉