Abhishek Banerjee is a true example of immense hard work and sweat in the Bollywood industry. He has grown from a side actor to a mainstream hero with pure dedication, adding unique layers to his every role. His acting is a praiseworthy sensation. Lucky us, after the success of Stree 2, he is coming in full, tight narrative for the Prime’s “Stolen”. Let’s see a detailed review here, and decide if the film is a hit or a miss.
It’s Run Vs Chase
Set in a small town of Rajasthan, Gautam, aka Abhishek Banerjee, waits at the railway station for his brother Raman. He missed his flight and is coming from the train, as they are visiting their mother’s wedding tomorrow. Unfortunately gets stuck in the infant’s kidnapping, and the mother, Jhumpa, suspects Raman to be the perpetrator as he just passes nearby. However, he soon gets clearance from the police, but the brothers have to stay onboard for further investigation.
Soon, situations turn messier as the mother overhears a tea seller over the missing baby, and somehow their SUV photos go viral, which makes them a target for the angry mob and citizens. So the villagers start chasing them for the uncommitted crime. So, where is the baby taken? Will the brothers escape the tyrants? forms the rest of the film.
Vibe: Raw and Restrained Thrill
The film is based on a true event, and the duration completely runs on one chaotic night and its aftermath. It will keep you enthralled from the very first scene and doesn’t let you out of your seats until the end. The tenacity and emotional connection surrounding a dusty and uneasy railway station, where crimes like this happen quite often, and the setup of a perfect regional dialect are appreciable.
Even though the intensity is too high, the movie ends on a hopeful motive. I think the film’s attractive point is its fast pacing. There’s barely any background music, no extra flashbacks, and no unnecessary characters placed between the chase. The camerawork is also excellent, especially in chase scenes with long shots, which work well.
Crafting Characters
Abhishek Banerjee, as usual, made his signature mark in the role of arrogant Gautham. While his brother, played by Shubham Vardhan, is more of a realist & grounded person, this combo as brothers elevates the film. While the mother character, Jhumpa, aka Mia Maelzer, was designed so detailed without too much melodrama, the director, Karan Tejpal, will take us through her immense desperation. Further, you will navigate the whole chaos that’s woven in without feeling obvious. So keep your expectations high!
Awards
The film was released in 2023 and premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival and many other events. Thus proudly returned home land with many awards like Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Actress at the Beijing International Film Festival of China, and Best Film award at the Skip City D-Cinema Festival of Japan.
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Final Verdict
This kind of quick-paced feature film is rare to be made in India. The way the world just divides privileges to the poor creates generations of mistrust. “Stolen” is a perfectly cooked thriller that keeps you hooked and well-acted. It’s above a basic one-time watch. So gather your stuff, get on the couch, and stream right now, if it’s night, it will be a double-packed, intense, and worth watching in full sound!
IMDb: 7.3/10       Platform: Amazon Prime    My Rating: 4.2/5
Written by: Meghana Pinninti