Star Cast: Anupam Kher, Mihir Ahuja
Director: Akshay Roy
Vijay 69 Movie Review Synopsis:
VIJAY 69 is the story of an extraordinary man. Vijay Mathew, 69, lives alone in Mumbai’s Victoria Society. He was once a swimming coach and lost his wife Anna (Ekavali) 15 years ago due to cancer. Due to a certain episode, he suddenly realizes that he hasn’t done anything significant in life. Hence, he starts looking for a purpose. One day, he learns that Aditya Jaiswal (Mihir Ahuja), 18, who lives in the same colony is all set to become the youngest person in India to participate in a triathlon. Vijay researches and realizes that if he also participates in this race, he’ll become India’s oldest person to complete a triathlon. Hence, Vijay applies for it and after some hindrance, his application gets accepted. However, he’ll have to extensively train for the triathlon as it involves 1.5 km of swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 km of running. Vijay’s daughter Deeksha (Sulagna Panigrahi) is against this idea. Moreover, due to society politics, there’s a possibility that Vijay might get ousted from the race. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
Vijay 69 Movie Story Review:
Akshay Roy’s story is simple. Akshay Roy’s screenplay is well-written and thought of. Akshay Roy’s dialogues (additional dialogues by Abbas Tyrewala) are hilarious and creative.
Akshay Roy’s direction is neat. He keeps the tone of the film light and also ensures that the goings-on is relatable, especially for senior citizens. He also keeps the duration in check and packs in a lot in just 112 minutes. Vijay’s track, of course, takes the cake but what also works is the bond shared by Vijay and Aditya. The intro scene is quite funny. Akshay, however, reserves the best for the last 15 minutes. One knows what’ll happen but not how it’ll happen. In this regard, the director succeeds and he’ll also make viewers teary-eyed.
On the flipside, not all jokes work. The scene where Vijay jumps into the swimming pool while fighting with a parent and when he’s asked to go for a medical test fails to evoke laughs. The entire Vijay vs Aditya clash is an interesting idea on paper but looks quite childish on screen. Moreover, there are too many abuses in the dialogues. Hence, one should keep this in mind as from the trailers, it seemed like a clean family entertainer.
Vijay 69 Movie Review Performances:
Anupam Kher delivers a smashing performance. A role of this kind requires a lot, emotionally and physically, and Anupam gives his all to the role. He is excellent in the training scenes but watch out for him in scenes where he gets emotional. Chunky Panday (Dr Fali Bathena) is a bit over the top but it works for his role and he delivers ably. Mihir Ahuja, who rose to fame with THE ARCHIES, leaves a huge mark. He has a crucial role and is sure to get noticed. Guddi Maruti (Parminder Bakshi), Ekavali and Sulagna Panigrahi leave a huge mark. Adrija Sinha (Ruhi; content creator) is fair. Dharmendra Gohil (Aakash; Aditya’s father) and Saanand Verma (Corrupt journalist) are quite good in their respective roles. Ketika Sharma (Malti) is lovely. Jiten Mukhi (Vivek Sagar), Paritosh Sand (Ranjit Kumar; who helps Vijay at the Triathlon Association of India), Abhhay Joshi (Sunil Saxena), Ravish Desai (Abhimanyu; Deeksha’s husband) and Ayan Hasan Ali Khan (Akhil; Deeksha’s son) are decent. Kunal Vijaykar (Kishore) and Ashwin Mushran (Jaag) are wasted.
Vijay 69 movie music and other technical aspects:
VIJAY 69 is a song-less film. However, the song ‘Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu’ from WAQT [1965] is aptly used in the film and enhances the impact. Gaurav Chatterji’s background score is light, just like the film’s tone.
Sahil Bhardwaj’s cinematography is appropriate in Mumbai scenes and quite breathtaking in the climax. Meenal Agarwal’s production design and Darshan Jalan and Manish Tiwari’s costumes are realistic. Sunil Rodrigues’ action is impressive. Manas Mittal’s editing is satisfactory.
Vijay 69 Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, VIJAY 69 is a light-hearted inspirational tale that works due to the relatability factor, Anupam Kher’s marvellous performance and an emotional climax.