Despite a stellar cast like Yami Gautam and Pankaj Kapoor and even a promising start, the film loses its focus and fire at the end.
Synopsis
One fine day, a young fellow who performs ‘nukkad natak on Kolkata’s bustling streets goes missing. His sister and mother are distraught as nobody, not even the police, appears keen on locating him. A reporter asking for trouble is on his lookout, asking probing questions and making some influential individuals nervous. Yami Gautam Dhar, Pankaj Kapur, Rahul Khanna, Neil Bhoopalam, Pia Bajpayee, and Tushar Pandey star in this investigative crime thriller.
Review
Aniruddha Roy Choudhury, the director, jumps right into Vidhi’s fascinating journey of investigating all potential outcomes and information to know all about this story. While this remains the film’s main focus, it also digs deeper into Vidhi’s life as a journalist, including unidentified provocations for ceasing to work on the story, parental opposition to her career choice, and her boyfriend’s (Neil Bhoopalam) demand that she maintains a balance between her professional and private lives. However, her steadfast dedication to her work and the unconditional support of her grandfather, Professor Avinash Srivastav (Pankaj Kapur), inevitably keeps her going. Her daily discussions with her granddad serve as both a listening ear and a moral compass for her.
Lost is a powerful and effective concept that loses steam after pushing us to the edge of the couch. It keeps reminding us how underbaked pie can spoil a well-laid feast. Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, who directed Pink, compromises pace and crispness to create a politically
correct drama. The message of hope at the end feels made up for a film that draws on a real case to express an opinion on the evolving socio-political scene.
With performances like ‘Bala,’ ‘A Thursday,’ and ‘Lost,’ Yami Gautam’s brilliance shines in such roles. She is finally getting meaty roles, and the strength with which she plays them is incredible. She’s often dismissed as the pretty fun-loving girl, but after seeing ‘Lost,’ you’ll realise she’s far more than that. She is fantastic in the way she not only delights in serious scenes but also keeps herself restrained and human in some disturbing scenes. She is fearless when tackling a corrupt politician, but she is also not afraid to vomit after seeing a dead body. The contrast between her character is superbly depicted. Pankaj Kapur is a joy to watch as the grandfather who is gregarious and welcoming while also protective. Rahul Khanna’s performance as a snazzy, unethical politician leaves an impression. Tushar Pandey and Pia Bajpayee leave a mark as well.
Verdict
Soon after the halfway point, the film starts unravelling, and keeping an eye on what’s going on becomes difficult. Vidhi’s completely pointless interviews with Varman and the police take up too much airtime, and the timer on Lost runs out before it can genuinely fix any of the numerous enigmas it established. The film’s final 20 minutes are hustled, disengaged, and non-consistent, and the ending only leaves you needing clarification. Watch it for Yami Gautam’s stellar performance.