Movie Review by Prashant Shukla
Plot:
Raman is waiting for his brother Gautam to pick him up from the railway station; they need to leave soon, but unknowingly become witnesses to the kidnapping of an infant. Raman-an overly empathetic man-and Gautam, who just wants to get out of this mess, must now deal with the police, mobs, and a web of lies. How these two confront the chaos while discovering their own moral codes forms the basic premise of this 90 minute survival thriller!
The Performances:
The three leads of the film-Abhishek Banerjee, Shubham Vardhan, and Mia Maelzer-together craft what you might call ‘three versions of the human mind in the hour of crisis.’ Abhishek represents practicality, Shubham embodies empathy, and Mia stands for bravery-no matter the consequences. And it’s almost infuriating how effortlessly they pull it off. Exceptional performances, in the simplest of words!
The Technical Aspects:
The camera team and sound department are the real MVPs of the film. On paper, the story might seem basic, but the way visuals and sound elevate the tension is immaculate. The use of oners isn’t just technical show-off-they actively heighten the thrill. From mob chases with shifting wide angles and POV shots, to sound design that moves between white noise and sheer chaos-it’s just brilliant. Also there’s one long-take sequence in the third act that will quite literally take your breath away.
Writing and Direction:
You don’t watch Stolen, you live through it-and a major part of that credit goes to writer-director Karan Tejpal and co-writers Gaurav Dhingra and Swapnil Salkar. There’s a constant sense of urgency running through the film, yet they never lose sight of the story’s core. They stay true to what they set out to showcase, all while firmly respecting the golden rule of ‘Show, Don’t Tell.’ Truly commendable!
Themes:
Stolen integrates various themes, but the one that lingers is the constant juggling act of the human brain between empathy and practicality -especially in dire situations where upholding morals is the last thing one can think of. It brilliantly portrays how injustice is truly felt and understood only when experienced firsthand, as shown through Abhishek’s character. Exceptional writing!
Final Verdict:
In conclusion, Stolen doesn’t shout. It stings, and stays. A thriller that steals your breath, not E just your time. Highly Recommended!
