Anek Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, J D Chakravarthy, Andrea Kevichusa, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
First and foremost, it becomes very evident that filmmaker Anubhav Sinha already has much too much on his plate. There has always been a scarcity of literature to comprehend the conflicts in India’s northeast. Even if it was accessible, there was never any curiosity. Sinha’s Anek blunders on several times, but he doesn’t make a meal of it. The cast is the main cause for this.
Aman, played by Ayushmann Khuranna, is a federal undercover officer. He is deceitful and charming for the first time in his life. Andrea Kevichüsa makes her acting debut as Aido, a boxer looking to establish a name for herself amid the mayhem.
JD Chakravarthy, who retains his laidback charm, is nice to witness on film. Manoj Pahwa is also notable. A powerful government figure who isn’t easily fooled. But it’ll be Loitongbam Dorendra’s ability to make the most of his screen time that will wow you. An elderly revolutionary who is about to sign a peace treaty with the authorities. As a guy who has witnessed much too much bloodshed, his emotions are melancholy yet penetrating.
At times, the screenplay drags. You could find yourself squirming in your seat during the first half. Nonetheless, Sinha manages to draw you back to some level in the second half. This is a remarkable accomplishment. Perhaps it’s his emphasis on honesty that captures your attention. The characters are believable and well-developed. They are asking crucial questions.
There’s no denying that Sinha is interrogating here. What exactly is identity? How can one define it in the context of a country? How does the bulwark of nationhood consist of numerous identities? And how much freedom does the country provide it to express itself?
However, there is much too much to accomplish in order to establish a foundation and far too little time. The film’s writing is what drags it behind, since it fails to retain the audience’s attention after an hour. It was critical to keep the audience engaged throughout a movie set in a hotspot of rebellion. Anek would’ve been a challenge of patience if it weren’t for its actors.
Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana, who plays Anek, explains that he first encountered the “suffering of the north-east people” in college
