“The Tashkent Files” Review: A Monotonous Conspiracy Film

The Tashkent Files

Director: Vivek Agnihotri
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Mithun Chakraborty, Shweta Basu Prasad, Mandira Bedi,...
Rating: 2/5

Vivek Agnihotri’s The Tashkent Files is the movie which is based on the most controversial news of Indian history. The film tries to recreate the political drama and controversy between Lal Bahadur Shastri's death investigation. The film uncovers the truth behind former prime minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri's mysterious death who passed away after signing the peace agreement with Pakistan.

The Tashkent Files germane us with the few questions in our mind: Why there was no post mortem report effectuated, why the government of India did not publicize the documents in its possession that pertain to Shastri's death?

A political reporter Ragini Phule, a role plays by actress and theorist Shweta Prasad, she looks suspicious in her introduction scenes and carries untrustworthy ethics and fake sources in her character. However, an anonymous call gives her the news of Shastri's death, and incomprehensibly she tries to find the truth and puts her life at risk sometimes.

The other actors like Nasseruddin Shah (a south Indian politician who does not want the truth to come out), Pankaj Tripathi (a committee member who in one sequence raves against secularism), Mithun Chakraborty (an opposition leader looking for controversy as he gears up for another election) wasted their skills in their limited roles which were not at all suitable for their caliber. A historian Pallavi Joshi and a gasping NGO activist character played by Mandira Bedi looks unconvincing.

The Tashkent Files becomes increasingly weird and complicated with its chaotic screenplay and entangles background music. The film comprises arguments and loud discussions. The mixture of facts and fiction in the interest of telling a dramatic story The Tashkent Files failed to showcase both. Check out the trailer: