Movie Ratings – 2.5/5 Stars
Movie Review By Ratan Srivastava –
“Vijay 69” promises an engaging story on aging and resilience, but falls short due to its predictable plot, overused melodrama, and uninspired performances by the supporting cast, making it a somewhat lackluster depiction of growing older. The underwhelming development of the storyline makes it difficult to truly empathize with or feel the pain of Kher’s character, even during his emotional breakdowns.
Many charismatic and talented actors face the reality of aging in ways that challenge their confidence, but Anupam Kher is known for breaking barriers. From trekking to Everest in “Uunchai” to spreading the message that “Kuch bhi ho sakta hai” (anything is possible) through his stage plays, Kher has proven that age is just a number. At 69, Kher can still command the screen, though “Vijay 69” might have even his fans wincing, despite their admiration for his skills.
In the film, Kher’s character, Vijay Mathews, is driven to make his mark so that his friends have something memorable to say in his eulogy. Determined to make a bold statement, he sets his sights on completing a triathlon—swimming, running, and cycling—and aims to become India’s oldest triathlon finisher.
While this storyline has the potential to resonate with older viewers—a demographic often overlooked by filmmakers—the execution is flawed. The initial thirty minutes provide an intriguing entry into Vijay’s world, but the film soon spirals into excessive melodrama, dragging the audience out of Vijay’s journey and making it hard to stay invested.
The film’s characters seem adrift in almost every scene, leaving the viewer equally disoriented. Some implausible plot twists, like pitting Vijay against a young boy aiming to become the youngest triathlon finisher, leave you wondering if the filmmaker took Kher’s famous “Kuch bhi ho sakta hai” mantra a little too far. And when things get rough, familiar Bollywood clichés, such as forced romance, are brought in to keep the narrative afloat.
The weak plot makes it challenging to feel sympathy or sorrow for Vijay, even during his emotional meltdowns, except for a moment that genuinely conveys the difficulties of aging and the constant unsolicited advice to “act your age.” This scene offers a glimpse into the frustrations of living under societal expectations based on age, yet it’s a rare instance in a film that struggles to balance its aspirations with its execution.
