Anupam Kher is truly one of those actors whose performances consistently leave you in awe. The more you watch him, the more you appreciate his incredible talent and versatility. With this feeling in mind, I was looking forward to the release of Vijay 69, and now that I’ve seen the film, I can confidently say that Anupam Kher has once again left me spellbound! His portrayal is nothing short of brilliant and his ability to connect with the audience on a deep emotional level is commendable! Beyond his outstanding performance, the film also features an inspiring storyline that resonated with me. Directed by Akshay Roy, Vijay 69 stars Anupam Kher, Mihir Ahuja, Chunky Panday and others. It will premiere on Netflix on November 8, so, if you’ve been thinking about whether to watch this film or not, here’s our detailed review!
Plot
Written by Akshay Roy, the film tells a humorous and inspiring story about Vijay Mathews, who wants to make his life worth remembering and wants to make a name for himself. Vijay Mathews (Anupam Kher) was once a well-known swimming coach with medals and accolades when he was young. However, now Vijay Mathews is 69 years old. Just like other 60-year-olds he follows the same routine of taking walks in the park and typical senior citizen life. One day, things take a turn when Vijay’s mind gets struck with the thought of how fruitful was his life. So, as he starts noting down his achievements, he stops and wonders how there’s nothing more than swimming in his life. His entire life revolved around swimming which he’s extremely proud of but he wants to try something different and wants his name to be remembered after his death.
So, despite his age, Vijay’s bold and adventurous spirit drives him to take on an incredible challenge which is taking in a triathlon and finishing it. Well, the road towards participating in a triathlon is not easy for a 69-year-old. But, Vijay’s determination and spirit don’t let him back down, he takes on the challenge with full strength and pride! Throughout the film, Vijay faces many physical and emotional obstacles. Many people question his choices but Vijay does one thing the best- believing in himself. As the story unfolds, Vijay meets an 18-year-old who wants to make his parents happy by participating in the triathlon and wants to create a world record like Vijay. Both of their lives intertwine as they help each other to succeed. Dealing with the doubts of his family and people in his community, will he be able to finish the triathlon at 69? (Not adding spoilers!)
What Works?
Performance: Anupam Kher As Vijay Mathews is the highlight of this inspiring film! He is truly the greatest of all time when it comes to acting. He transforms into his character like a chameleon, brings so much depth to the role and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. The way he brought Vijay’s journey to life on screen is commendable! As a matter of fact, in a few scenes, he expressed all kinds of emotions without uttering a single word. His gaze and eyes make you so invested that I couldn’t help but focus entirely on the film like I was a part of Vijay’s journey. From his witty one-liners to emotional depth, Anupam Kher makes the theme relatable! He is truly a gem!
Supporting cast: While there were a bit of ifs and buts, the emotional layers they added to the story, especially in scenes that showcased family tensions and support left an impact! One of the standout elements of the film is the camaraderie among the older men (Vijay’s friends) and how they support each other through thick and thin. It was heartwarming to witness such pure friendship!
Storyline: I’m deeply impressed with its story as it beautifully presented two different sides of a coin. On one hand, there’s an 18-year-old boy who is trying to make his parents proud by participating in the triathlon. On the other hand, there’s Anupam Kher’s character, the older man who wants to achieve more in his life. These two arcs make you think about how humans keep pushing forward until their last breath. From the youngster trying to bring joy to his parents, to the old guy striving to prove to his children that he still has dreams and ambitions, this contrast between the two characters beautifully showcases the desire to find purpose and fulfilment at any stage of life. Moreover, it also provides you with a realistic look at triathlon training.
What Doesn’t Work?
Trying Too Hard: What doesn’t quite hit the mark in the film is Chunky Panday’s accent which was a bit distracting. It felt like he was trying too hard to nail the Parsi accent but struggled to balance it with a Bengali accent, which made it hard for me to focus on others and broke the flow! And, once you are into a film deeply and somebody breaks the flow it becomes infuriating! Otherwise, Chunky Panday’s camaraderie with Anupam would have been a delight to watch! Well, was his character intentionally made like that? If yes, it was not a great idea! As you can uplift your humorous elements without trying too hard.
Also Read: The Signature Review: Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary’s Film Is A Rollercoaster Ride Of Emotions!
Few Predictable Scenes That Take Away Your Focus: Some parts of the story are easy to guess which again diverts your mind and takes away the excitement during critical and serious moments. Also, there are a few scenes that are a bit stretched unnecessarily and could have been executed well.
Verdict: It’s An Inspiring And Thought-Provoking Film!
It beautifully explores personal growth and the value of family and friendship! Vijay 69 is an inspiring story which is filled with humour and warmth and perfectly showcases that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Well, I have to mention the film’s background music as I’m still humming it. It was a delightful decision to choose such a beautiful song at such a heart-touching moment. It beautifully complemented the film’s uplifting spirit. Another favourite was Anupam Kher’s character and performance. He truly shines in the lead role and is surely the perfect choice to portray Vijay. He has emotional depth, good comic timing and charm to him.
The cycling scenes are shot beautifully and capture the thrill with ease! It was a good balance between comedy and the depth of the story. Also, kudos to the cinematographers the realistic sports scenes pulled me right into Vijay’s journey and made me feel that I was a part of his challenges and triumphs. The emotional arcs tug at your heartstrings, reminding us of the importance of friendship and support along the way. Despite a few small flaws, the film makes you smile and shed tears of joy with its narrative. It all comes together nicely and will leave you inspired! It’s a good watch with your family!