Review: Vanvaas – A Heartfelt Tale That Falls Short of Impact!

Family dramas like Avatar and #Baghban have resonated deeply with audiences by shedding light on the struggles of senior citizens. Vanvaas attempts to capture a similar essence, addressing the plight of aging parents often abandoned by their children. However, despite its noble intentions, the film struggles to deliver a fresh perspective and fails to leave a lasting emotional impact.

Deepak Tyagi (Nana Patekar) is a loving husband to Vimala (Khushboo Sunder) and a devoted father to his three children—Somu (Hemant Kher), Babloo (Ketan Singh), and Chutka (Paritosh Tripathi). In his twilight years, Tyagi battles partial dementia, which leads to frequent memory lapses and requires medical treatment. He adamantly opposes selling their ancestral mansion in Shimla, but his children, driven by greed, abandon him in Varanasi.

In Varanasi, Tyagi encounters Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma), a petty thief, and his girlfriend Meena (Simrat Kaur Randhawa). Despite initial conflicts, the trio forms a bond and embarks on a journey to take Tyagi back to his home. This emotional quest forms the crux of the story.

Anil Sharma, riding high on the success of Gadar 2, takes a different route with this emotional family drama. While the screenplay touches upon important themes, it feels overly stretched with a runtime of 160 minutes, making the narrative drag in parts. Sharma’s direction shines in certain scenes, but the predictable storyline and forced action sequences fail to sustain audience engagement.

Nana Patekar delivers a masterful performance, carrying the emotional weight of the film effortlessly. Despite the uneven writing, he shines in several poignant moments, proving his acting prowess once again. Utkarsh Sharma portrays Veeru with charm and conviction, adding depth to his character. Simrat Kaur Randhawa, Ashwini Kalsekar, Shruti Marathe and Rajpal Yadav provide commendable support, enhancing the emotional texture of the film.

The film’s strength lies in Nana Patekar’s stellar performance and the touching premise. However, the lack of originality in the narrative and it’s excessive length dilute its impact. The action scenes feel unnecessary and detract from the emotional core of the story.

Vanvaas is a well-intentioned family drama that highlights the emotional struggles of aging parents. While Nana Patekar’s outstanding performance elevates the film, the predictable screenplay and prolonged runtime hinder its overall appeal.

Rating : ***

By Keerti Kadam