Vanvaas REVIEW: Anil Sharma & Utkarsh Sharma should take a Vanvaas after wasting Nana Patekar in the family drama

Film:
Vanvaas

Directors: Anil Sharma

Writers: Amjad Ali, Anil Sharma, Sunil Sirvaiya

Cast: Utkarsh Sharma, Nana Patekar, Rajpal Naurang Yadav, Simrat Kaur

Runtime: 2 hrs 40 minutes

Platform: In theatres

Life is all about living in the little moments you have with the people you are! But mostly, moving on from creating one to another is just thought. Drifting away from somewhere is a sense of sadness but in this adventurous journey to the next chapter, there is also excitement. But what if your world shakes and all that you have been believing so far is lie. Well, Anil Sharma’s Vanvaas was an attempt to present a heartfelt story of familial bonds, estrangement, and redemption, but the film struggles to deliver the emotional depth it promises.

For the fast base, this film is slow as it is an outdated melodrama that lacks emotion and connection. The story is relevant in this 21st century but the film treads familiar territory but fails to leave a lasting impact.

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What Works

Nana Patekar is definitely a force to reckon with. His nuanced portrayal of a man grappling with his past and familial discord adds gravitas to the narrative. Another thing that is great is the film is shot in Shimla so one witnesses the layer of visual authenticity to the story.

What Doesn’t Work

The screenplay is so badly written, that it’s clichés and lacks the emotional complexity needed to explore the themes of family and forgiveness. The story feels predictable and overly melodramatic at times. In some scenes, you will lose the character as the audience will be unable to connect to the emotions. The film takes too long to establish its core conflict, making the first half sluggish and the second half rushed.

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Star Performances

Nana Patekar, despite having the USP factor in the film lacked showcasing his commanding presence and emotional depth in the story.

On the other hand, the one who crossed the line when it came to cliches was Utkarsh Sharma. His performance in the impactful scene turned out hilarious.

Another one is Simrat Kaur, and her character might give you a headache as her plot is just written to stretch the story further and disturb the aligned narrative.

Other characters Rajpal Yadav and Ashwini Kalsekar played their parts well in the story.

Conclusion

Vanvaas had the potential to be a poignant exploration of family dynamics, but it falters due to its lacklustre writing and inconsistent execution. While Nana Patekar’s stellar performance and the picturesque visuals elevate the film, they aren’t enough to overcome its shortcomings.

Anil Sharma’s film is a missed opportunity that relies too heavily on its star power without fully delivering on its emotional promise.

Check out the trailer of Vanvaas here:

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