Apurva Movie Review

Apurva is a Hindi-language survival thriller released in 2023. It is directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and produced by Murad Khetani Murad Khetani is an Indian film producer who is kn >> Read More... . It is about a girl who does everything in her power to survive. The film stars Tara Sutaria Tara Sutaria is an Indian vocalist, performing act >> Read More... in the lead role, along with Rajpal Yadav Rajpal Yadav, the hilarious Indian movie actor, ac >> Read More... , Abhishek Banerjee Abhishek Banerjee is a writer and actor in Indian >> Read More... and others.

Plot

Apurva is set in Madhya Pradesh. A girl named Apurva Kashyap (played by Tara Sutaria) is taking a bus to surprise her fiance, Siddharth or Sid (played by Dhairya Karwa Dhairya Karwa is an Indian-actor. He is born and b >> Read More... ). On the way, her bus is ambushed by a gang of Chambal gangsters. They kill the bus driver and conductor. Apurva is abducted by them.

In an inspiring story of courage, Apurva does not let fear deter her. Slowly but bravely, she fights back and systematically, with the help of a man named Tara, kills each of the four goons one by one. Her story is one of survival at its most visceral form, where you do everything to keep yourself alive, no matter what.

Star Performance

If there is one thing that can be Tara Sutaria's performance as the lead actress, it is that she has put in a lot of effort into the role. However, where Apurva requires grit and fire, Tara Sutaria is more damsel-in-distress, which is a bit off-putting for this particular role.

However, other stars in this film truly shine. One of them is Abhishek Banerjee as Sukha, one of the four gangsters. He has portrayed such roles in the past, and you can see the kind of finesse that it adds to his portrayal of Sukha. He has done really well.

Another gem is Rajpal Yadav, who is known for doing comedic and light-hearted roles. But his portrayal of Jugnu, the ceremonial "head" of the gangsters is far outside his zone. However, he has done a commendable job. He looks scruffy, moody, and menacing and delivers the different aspects of Jugnu's characters to perfection.

Analysis

The best thing about Apurva is not its plot twists or its gory scenes. It is the fact that it maintains a hooking plot until the end of the film. Even though the scenes are predictable at times, they still make you hold your breath as you await the next scene.

Even technically, the film is pretty sound. Anshuman Mahaley, the cinematographer for the film, has ensured that no thread remains loose in terms of the visuals. They are gory and detailed, even uncomfortable at times, elevating the film to another level. Ketan Sodha takes care of the background score, which complements the eeriness of the film. 

Yet, there are certain flaws in the film that make it less enjoyable. Some parts of the film are just too dragged, which makes them less powerful. But that's not to say that the film is not powerful enough as a whole, because it certainly narrates a story capable of making your hair stand.

Most of the violence in the film takes place off screen, which is a good element for those who don't prefer bloody and gross visuals. But even though it isn't explicitly seen, the film is filled with violence, abuse, and other unappealing elements.

What's There?

• Great acting by the cast.
• The plot is powerful and well-written.
• The film is technically sound in all aspects.

What's Not There?

• Certain scenes are too dragged out

Verdict

Apurva is packed with grit, gore, and thrill. It is a film that will keep you hooked till the end, rooting for the protagonist. If you are interested in thriller/drama films, certainly give it a try.