Director : Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
Written by : Ritesh Shah
Story by : Viraf Sarkari, Ritesh Shah, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
Produced by : Mahesh Ramanathan, Viraf Sarkari, Andre Timmins and Sabbas Joseph
Cast : Pankaj Tripathi, Sanjana Sanghi, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Jaya Ahsan, Dilip Shankar
Duniya tu shatir hai, Vishwasghati hai, daulat ke daldal mein kashti chalati hai.Lalach ameero ki vaisi wajeron ki, paani mein behti hain lashein zameero ki………..”
Kadak Singh opens with a powerful monologue, skillfully delivered by Pankaj Tripathi, setting the stage for a financial crime thriller. As AK Srivastava navigates through retrograde amnesia, a maze of conflicting memories unfolds in a hospital setting. The film combines suspense with a tale of family resilience, exploring the dynamics of a dysfunctional family brought closer by unexpected events.
In one scene, Sakshi (portrayed by Sanjana Sanghi) visits AK Srivastava, who has seemingly forgotten about his daughter. When Sakshi addresses him as “Papa,” Srivastava dismissively quips, “Meri koi beti nahi hai.” (I don’t have a daughter) For viewers familiar with Tripathi’s roles in OMG 2, Mimi, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Mirzapur, this moment is difficult to reconcile. It introduces unexpected complexity, challenging the audience’s understanding of Tripathi’s usual character dynamics.
The script’s half-baked nature becomes evident as Srivastava, a character with strict fatherly traits, is dubbed Kadak Singh without seamless integration into the narrative. The film attempts to address various themes—financial crime, family dynamics, corruption, and societal honesty—yet struggles to do justice to any of them.
The big reveal lacks the anticipated impact, and the writing fails to surprise or engage the audience. Humorous attempts fall flat, with lines like “I am officially a patient” missing the mark. The narrative attempts to juggle too many elements, including Srivastava’s strained relationship with his daughter Sakshi, a troubled past, and the pursuit of solving a financial crime.
Amidst the script’s shortcomings, some performances shine. Pankaj Tripathi’s portrayal of Srivastava is commendable, maintaining control even in tricky scenes. Sanjana Sanghi delivers a nuanced performance as Sakshi, balancing the roles of daughter and supportive sister. Paresh Pahuja and Parvathy Thiruvothu Kottuvattaa impress in their brief appearances, with the latter stealing scenes as Nurse Ms. Kannan. Jaya Ahsan adds depth to the cast, portraying Naina beautifully.
Despite the remarkable ensemble, the limited screen time for supporting actors and the film’s overall lack of coherence undermine the potential impact. What is difficult to digest here is how the makers can let go of this remarkable ensemble with little to offer. This cast could have done wonders! Loose ends in the storyline and inconsistent pacing contribute to a narrative that struggles to maintain audience interest.
In conclusion, while Kadak Singh showcases strong performances, particularly from Pankaj Tripathi, the film’s half-baked script and disjointed narrative prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Rating: 2.3/5
