Kadak Singh review: In Indian cinema, the anticipation surrounding a Pankaj Tripathi film is nothing short of palpable. However, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury's latest offering, "Kadak Singh," fails to live up to the high-stakes promise embedded in its title and the esteemed actor's reputation. This lukewarm tale of financial fraud, streaming on Zee5, struggles to harness Tripathi's formidable strengths, delivering a psychological thriller devoid of the promised intensity, tragicomic elements, or vigor.
"Pankaj Tripathi is AK Srivastava, a financial investigator attached to a national agency," we are told. Srivastava, grappling with retrograde amnesia after a failed suicide attempt in his office, sets the stage for what should be a gripping narrative. Unfortunately, the film's execution falls victim to banal imprecision, with muted tones, garbled messaging, askew symmetry, and ineffective performances plaguing its potential.
The film squanders the opportunity to leverage Pankaj Tripathi's brilliance as Srivastava endeavors to piece together his fragmented memory. The promise of tension, electricity, and grim violence hinted at by the title is lost amid a strangely listless portrayal. Tripathi's character, played mostly from a hospital bed, lacks the nervy suspicion and dire comeback energy essential for a character navigating financial intrigue and personal crisis.
"Kadak Singh" attempts to weave a Roshomon-type puzzle, unraveling its narrative through the perspectives of different characters. Srivastava's struggle with retrograde amnesia adds a layer of complexity, but the film fails to capitalize on this potentially intriguing element. The supporting cast, including Sanjana Sanghi, Jaya Ahsan, and Paresh Pahuja, makes valiant efforts, but the lackluster script hinders their ability to elevate the film.
In conclusion, "Kadak Singh" is a missed opportunity to showcase Pankaj Tripathi's prowess in a role that demanded depth and nuance. The film's lackluster execution, coupled with ineffective storytelling and performances, leaves viewers yearning for the intensity promised by the title. Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury's directorial effort falls short of capturing the essence of a psychological thriller, ultimately rendering "Kadak Singh" an unfulfilled venture into the world of financial intrigue and personal turmoil.