Pankaj Tripathi’s Performance in Kadak Singh Review Holds the Film Together with Just Enough Conviction

Pankaj Tripathi Shines in Kadak Singh: A Review

In the film Kadak Singh, we are introduced to a Ponzi scheme investigator who faces a challenging task. The protagonist, Kadak Singh, is a man with a past but no memory of it. As he recovers in a hospital, he takes it upon himself to piece together his fragmented memories with the help of others’ recollections.

Directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, known for his critically acclaimed films Pink and Lost, Kadak Singh revolves around the investigation of a chit fund scam that has affected numerous lower middle-class investors. The film presents a complex puzzle with missing pieces.

What sets Kadak Singh apart from other crime procedurals is the fragile state of the protagonist’s mind. However, this slow and steady film is not a typical whodunit that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

The screenplay, written by Ritesh Shah in collaboration with the director and Viraf Sarkari, employs a fragmented structure that allows the audience to view the chain of events through the perspectives of four characters. The story reaches its conclusion when the protagonist has gathered enough information to overcome his memory blackout.

Kadak Singh, available for streaming on Zee5, moves back and forth in time and space, which may give the impression of repetition. However, the film explores the individual perceptions of the protagonist through the eyes of his daughter, colleagues, and a friend, providing insight into his identity and the events leading to his hospitalization.

The film opens with AK, the protagonist, entering a hotel with a younger woman. He encounters a girl who seems familiar but quickly flees. Later, AK’s daughter visits him in the hospital, trying to convince him of their relationship despite his memory loss.

Naina, a woman with whom AK was in love before losing his wife in an accident, also visits him, offering another perspective on his forgotten past. AK’s boss and a colleague from the financial crime investigation agency shed further light on the events leading to his hospitalization.

Kadak Singh is a blend of family drama, white-collar crime, and investigative thriller. While it may not be a gripping, edge-of-the-seat experience, the film has moments that captivate the audience, thanks to Pankaj Tripathi’s restrained yet impactful performance.

The mystery surrounding AK’s hospitalization lies in his enigmatic behavior, raising questions about hidden truths. The film explores his journey to uncover the answers concealed by his memory loss and escape the maze of events that have engulfed him.

Despite its muted approach, Kadak Singh comes alive through the intricacies of the investigation and the gradual revelation of interconnected memories. Pankaj Tripathi carries the film with his compelling portrayal, while the supporting cast, including Jaya Ahsan, Sanjana Sanghi, Dilip Shankar, and Paresh Pahuja, deliver reactive performances within the confines of their roles.

While Kadak Singh is not outright dull, it would have benefited from sharper storytelling and a more energetic narrative. Nonetheless, it is an engaging film that showcases Pankaj Tripathi’s talent and offers an intriguing exploration of memory and identity.

Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Sanjana Sanghi, Parvathy T, Jaya Ahsan, Dilip Shankar, Paresh Pahuja, Varun Buddhadev
Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury