Director: Akshay Roy
Vijay 69 Movie Review Synopsis:
Vijay 69 follows the story of Vijay Mathew, a 69-year-old man who lives alone in Mumbai’s Victoria Society. Once a swimming coach, Vijay lost his wife Anna (Ekavali) to cancer 15 years ago. After a life-changing realization, he comes to the conclusion that he hasn’t accomplished anything meaningful. In search of a new purpose, Vijay learns that Aditya Jaiswal (Mihir Ahuja), an 18-year-old from his colony, is about to become the youngest person in India to compete in a triathlon. Inspired, Vijay discovers that if he enters the race, he could become the oldest person in India to complete a triathlon. Despite initial setbacks, Vijay’s application is accepted, but he faces the daunting task of intense training, which includes swimming 1.5 km, cycling 40 km, and running 10 km. His daughter, Deeksha (Sulagna Panigrahi), opposes the idea, and with local society politics at play, there’s a real risk that Vijay may be excluded from the race. The film explores his journey to overcome these challenges and pursue his goal.
Vijay 69 Movie Story Review:
Akshay Roy’s story is straightforward yet engaging, with a screenplay that is thoughtfully crafted and well-paced. The dialogues, penned by Roy with additional input from Abbas Tyrewala, are witty, creative, and often quite humorous.
Roy’s direction is clean and effective, maintaining a light tone throughout while ensuring the film remains relatable, particularly for senior citizens. He keeps the runtime tight at just 112 minutes, packing in a lot of emotion and humor without overstaying its welcome. While Vijay’s personal journey takes center stage, the developing bond between Vijay and Aditya also adds an emotional layer to the film. The opening scene is particularly funny, setting the tone for the rest of the film. Roy saves the best for the final 15 minutes, where, despite the predictable outcome, the execution still manages to surprise and move the audience.
On the downside, not all the humor lands. For instance, a scene where Vijay jumps into the swimming pool during an argument with a parent, and another involving a medical test, fail to generate laughs. While the conflict between Vijay and Aditya seems promising on paper, it comes across as somewhat juvenile on screen. Additionally, the dialogues contain more profanity than expected, which might surprise viewers, especially given the trailer’s impression of the film as a family-friendly entertainer.
Vijay 69 Movie Review: Performances
Anupam Kher delivers a stellar performance in the lead role, bringing depth and authenticity to a character that demands both emotional and physical commitment. He excels in the training sequences but truly stands out in the emotional moments, where his nuanced portrayal is hard to miss. Chunky Panday, playing Dr. Fali Bathena, takes a slightly over-the-top approach, but it suits his character, and he delivers a strong performance. Mihir Ahuja, known for The Archies, makes a lasting impression in a pivotal role, showcasing a talent that is sure to capture attention. Guddi Maruti (Parminder Bakshi), Ekavali, and Sulagna Panigrahi each leave a significant mark with their performances. Adrija Sinha (Ruhi) holds her own but doesn’t shine as brightly. Dharmendra Gohil (Aakash, Aditya’s father) and Saanand Verma (the corrupt journalist) are effective in their respective roles. Ketika Sharma (Malti) adds charm to her role, while Jiten Mukhi (Vivek Sagar), Paritosh Sand (Ranjit Kumar), Abhhay Joshi (Sunil Saxena), Ravish Desai (Abhimanyu), and Ayan Hasan Ali Khan (Akhil) all do well in their supporting parts. However, Kunal Vijaykar (Kishore) and Ashwin Mushran (Jaag) have minimal roles and feel underutilized.
Vijay 69 Movie Music and Technical Aspects
Vijay 69 is a songless film, but the use of the classic track Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu from Waqt (1965) fits perfectly, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. Gaurav Chatterji’s background score is subtle and aligns well with the film’s light tone.
Sahil Bhardwaj’s cinematography captures Mumbai’s urban landscape effectively, and his work in the climax is particularly striking. The production design by Meenal Agarwal, along with costumes by Darshan Jalan and Manish Tiwari, is grounded in realism, adding authenticity to the setting. Sunil Rodrigues’ action sequences, though minimal, are well-executed, and Manas Mittal’s editing keeps the pacing tight and engaging.
Vijay 69 Movie Review Conclusion
Overall, Vijay 69 is a heartwarming, lighthearted film that resonates due to its relatable storyline, Anupam Kher’s outstanding performance, and a poignant, emotional climax.
