Kadak Singh Review: Pankaj Tripathi Tries In Not-So Convincing Thriller

ZEE5's latest premiere, Kadak Singh, helmed by Pink fame director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, arrived amidst a storm of anticipation and chatter. Now, it's time to delve into the story behind the buzz and discover how this film truly unfolded.

In the heart of Kolkata, within the corridors of a hospital, there's Arun Kumar Srivastava, a man suffering from selective memory loss who is cared for by Head Nurse Ms Khannan. One day, a woman named Sakshi arrives, claiming to be his daughter. She confesses her past resentment towards him, assuming him to be a terrible father. But as she recounts his life, she uncovers his attempted suicide, shedding light on his hidden mystery. On another day, a woman named Naina arrives, asserting she is his romantic partner. On another day, a man named Arjun, self-proclaimed as Srivastava's colleague, visits and recounts their professional lives. Each of these three visitors presents intertwined stories that offer new angles, delving deeper into Srivastava's complexities and shedding light on why he's known as Kadak Singh.

Performances

Pankaj Tripathi portrays Arun Kumar Srivastava convincingly, leaving viewers engaged in speculation about his true state—whether memory loss or a hidden agenda. Sanjana Sanghi embodies her character convincingly. Both Parvathy Thiruvothu (Ms Kanan) and Jaya Ahsan (Naina) deliver strong performances, capturing attention with their commendable acting.

Complex Dynamics

The movie encapsulates various dynamics: a man coping with the loss of his wife and estrangement from his family; conflicts between father and daughter; a son dealing with unresolved trauma; and a relationship between a man and a woman navigating political correctness and personal investment. Additionally, it highlights the bond of trust and solace between a nurse and her patient. While the director deserves credit for encompassing these relationships, the narrative could have been more impactful with increased intensity and depth.

The movie, however, focuses on a few relationships in depth, notably Sanghi's portrayal of a daughter's love, betrayal, anger, and dedication towards her father and brother. However, it lacks depth in depicting the romance between Pankaj Tripathi and Jaya Ahsan's characters. Their relationship, while not labelled or defined, isn't explored beyond being depicted as an additional element in the story, missing an opportunity for a nuanced and meaningful portrayal of a comforting, unspoken, and unclassified bond.

Pankaj Tripathi's Kadak Singh Review

While the Kolkata setting might evoke thoughts of Kahaani, and the storytelling technique or Tripathi's anti-hero portrayal may resonate with Drishyam, the story diverges from those familiar paths but has a unique story to tell. However, it falls short of creating depth through compelling plots and potential character arcs that could have made it more engaging. 

Tripathi's prowess alongside strong female characters remains a highlight, as yet again he navigates the story with not one but three women by his side, grounding the narrative.

Views expressed by the author are their own

Watch the trailer here