Hey guys, let’s talk about Vanvaas, which is that kind of movie that hits you right in the feels with its touching tale of family and neglect. It’s directed by Anil Sharma, who has just been absolutely phenomenal with Gadar 2, and it’s a great mix of nostalgia, drama, and a bit of that classic Bollywood vibe. So, is it worth your time? Let’s check it out.
Movie Guide:
Release Date: 20 December, 2024
Run Time: 2 hours 40mins
Genre: Drama, Family
Certificate Type: UA
Language: Hindi/ 2D
Movie Cast: Nana Patekar, Ashwini Kalsekar, Rajpal Naurang Yadav, Utkarsh Sharma
IMDB: 7.1/10
Bookmyshow: 8.4/10
The Story: Familiar But Still Hits Hard
If you have grown up listening to tales of family betrayal and redemption, Vanvaas will feel like visiting an old bittersweet memory. The story follows Deepak Tyagi, played quite brilliantly by Nana Patekar, a widower suffering from dementia. His late wife, Vimla, remains a constant presence in his mind, but not so much his three sons and their wives.
So, Deepak decided to turn his bungalow into a trust in memory of his wife, but his kids, who are all about that money, aren’t cool with it. Their “brilliant idea”? A family trip to Varanasi pretending it’s a pilgrimage, but really, it’s just a cold way to ditch him. I know, right? Super harsh.
And now, here on, it’s a journey of abandonment, survival, and the unexpected friendships that take us on this journey. Enter Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma), a small-time thief with a golden heart, who becomes Deepak’s unlikely savior. Their bond forms the emotional core of the movie, offering moments that feel both heartfelt and real.
The Performances: Nana Shines Bright
Nana Patekar totally makes this film. The way he plays Deepak—a guy struggling with memory loss but still clinging to bits of his past—is just so sad and uplifting at the same time. Whether he’s spouting shlokas or reminiscing about sweet moments with his late wife, Patekar shows off some serious acting skills.
Utkarsh Sharma, as Veeru, just does that perfect mix of fun and real. Sure, his character kinda gets pushed to the forefront at times, but he really shines, especially in the emotional bits. The supporting cast, like Ashwini Kalsekar and Rajpal Yadav, really spice things up, with Kalsekar being a standout as a fiery aunt and Yadav finally landing a part that shows off what he can do.
The Good and the Not-So-Good
Let’s be honest—Vanvaas has its ups and downs. The emotional moments hit hard, especially the stuff between Deepak and Veeru. The movie also brings up a pretty common but rarely talked about issue: how kids often neglect their parents. It’s a tough thing to face, but they deal with it really thoughtfully here.
But yes, the pace kinda lags in particular throughout the first half. Some action scenes seem unnecessary, and the romance between Veeru and Meena (Simrat Kaur) could’ve been better. The songs? Honestly, forgettable. Even with Monty Sharma’s background score being added depth, the tracks do not even stick in your head.
And let us not forget the elephant in the room—Anil Sharma’s overt attempt to focus on his son Utkarsh. I like Utkarsh; it’s just his presence feels a tad overexuberant in scenes he really does not need to be there for.
What Really Stands Out
All those drawbacks notwithstanding, Vanvaas does dole out some few potent moments. The Deepak-Veeru bond seems to be rather genuine and at times, leaves you tear-eyed. It also tackles a very critical view of human greed and complexities of familial bonds.
Nana Patekar totally nails it, and the showdown between Deepak and his sons totally gets at your heart strings. If you dig a good emotional ride, this ending will totally get to you.
So, should you check it out?
So, is Vanvaas worth your time? Honestly, if you dig family dramas that throw in some action, feels, and life lessons, then totally give it a go. It’s not flawless, but it definitely has good vibes. And seriously, Nana Patekar’s performance alone makes it worth the ticket price.
So, if you’re not for slow pacing and those dragged action scenes, you should probably keep your expectations down. But seriously, despite all its problems, Vanvaas really hits you hard on why family is essential—and that is something we should definitely hear, isn’t it?
So, what do you think? Gonna watch Vanvaas, or just skipping it? Drop your thoughts in the comments!