Review: “Lost” – A Thriller with Missed Opportunities
Featuring a talented cast including Yami Gautam, Pankaj Kapur, Rahul Khanna, Neil Bhoopalam, Pia Bajpiee, and Tushar Pandey, directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, and produced by Zee Studios along with Sam Fernandez, Indrani Mukherjee, Kishor Arora, and Shareen Mantri Kedia, “Lost” explores the disappearance of a young theatre artist named Ishan Bharti. As crime reporter Vidhi Sahani, played by Yami Gautam, delves into the mystery, suspicions arise around Ankita Chauhan (Pia Bajpiee) and politician Ranjan Varma (Rahul Khanna). The film attempts to tackle sensitive societal issues like untouchability and discrimination while addressing the complexities of vendetta politics.
Positives:
Yami Gautam delivers a convincing performance as the determined crime reporter, carrying the film with her talent. Rahul Khanna impresses with his portrayal of a politician, supported by well-written dialogues and a curated ending. The ensemble cast, including Pankaj Kapur and Pia Bajpiee, contributes to the film’s effectiveness.
Negatives:
Despite addressing relevant social issues, the film suffers from inconsistent narration and a lack of engaging sequences, leading to moments of boredom. The focus on unnecessary aspects dilutes the impact of the story, compounded by a lengthy runtime. Poor placement of songs disrupts the flow, and the characterization of Ishan lacks depth, impacting the film’s core.
Technical Aspects:
The background score by Shantanu Moitra and cinematography by Avik Mukhopadhyay add value to the film, capturing the essence of Kolkata. However, subpar editing and a messy narrative hinder the overall experience. While director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s intention to deliver a unique thriller is evident, the execution falls short compared to his previous work, “Pink.”
Verdict:
“Lost” offers moments of intrigue but fails to maintain consistency in storytelling. While Yami Gautam’s performance shines, the film’s shortcomings, including narrative flaws and pacing issues, make it an average watch for the weekend.