“India’s Most Wanted” Review: Fails To Keep You On The Edge Of Your Seat

Starring Arjun Kapoor in the lead role, India’s Most Wanted tells an interesting tale about some unsung heroes of the country. The basic idea of the story seems promising - a team of four unassuming men setting out to capture India’s Most Wanted man from the neighbouring country - but does the whole set-up leave you with a memorable experience? Let’s find out.

India’s Most Wanted Review: Story

Inspired by true events, India’s Most Wanted revolves around a group of Intelligence Bureau officers led by Prabhat (Arjun Kapoor). Calm and composed Prabhat gets a tip from an unverified source that India’s Most Wanted terrorist Yusuf, who is responsible for carrying out several serial blasts in the country, is hiding in Nepal. He, along with his team, sets out to capture him from the neighbouring country. Since it is an unofficial operation, the team has no support from the Bureau. They will have to fend themselves. What happens next forms the crux of the story.

India’s Most Wanted Review: Performances

India’s Most Wanted does not have a swarm of actors. Arjun Kapoor fronts the small cast which has some talented actors. But sadly, not everyone’s talent is utilized to the hilt. Despite getting a meaty character, Arjun Kapoor fails to elevate it to another level with his performance. His voice misses the spark an Intelligence Bureau officer needs to have. His body does not have the alacrity that makes such kind of roles interesting and memorable. He is too subtle and restraint to leave an impact. Rajesh Sharma tries to do his best. Rest of the cast gets nothing impressive to do.

India’s Most Wanted Review: Story, Direction & Other Technical Aspects

The story of IMW is interesting - an IB team with no support from their department goes across the border to capture India’s Most Wanted Terrorist. The idea sounds good, but its execution on the screen is far from being interesting. The film is gripping only in bits and parts. With an absence of any dramatization of true events, IMW gives off the vibes of a docu-drama.

It is indeed laudable that filmmaker Raj Kumar Gupta does not fall prey to commercial trappings of Hindi cinema, but making the narrative spicier would not have harmed. He goes wrong with his casting also. Arjun Kapoor might be a good actor, but he is not meant for every role. This role certainly required a better performer to pull it off brilliantly. Overall, India’s Most Wanted is a non-glamorised ode to some unsung heroes of our country and hence it does need to be heard at least once.

Cinematography and background score of the film is good. But the same cannot be said about its editing, which is too lazy at times.

Final Verdict

India’s Most Wanted is a film that fails to leave an impact in its entirety. Certain things are laudable, but the end product is too weak to be memorable. Average performances, lackadaisical screenplay, and slapdash editing fail to give you the kind of cinematic experience Raj Kumar Gupta’s films are generally known to offer. Having said that, it is for sure a one-time watch. I am going with 2.5 stars.

Banner: Fox Star Studios, Raapchik Films
Director: Raj Kumar Gupta
Starring: Arjun Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
Runtime: 123 Minutes
STARBIZ Rating: 2.5/5

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