Rustom is a gripping Hindi crime thriller inspired by the infamous 1959 Nanavati case.
Akshay Kumar delivers a compelling performance as Rustom Pavri, a naval officer who kills his wife Cynthia’s (Ileana D’Cruz) lover Vikram (Arjan Bajwa) and faces a high-stakes jury trial.
The courtroom drama unfolds with twists involving betrayal, patriotism, and a naval conspiracy, keeping viewers hooked. Director Tinu Suresh Desai blends suspense with melodrama, supported by vibrant 1950s Bombay visuals and a stirring score by Jeet Gannguli and others.
Kumar’s understated intensity is the film’s backbone, with D’Cruz and Pavan Malhotra (as Inspector Lobo) delivering strong support. However, the fictionalized climax and occasional comedic interludes dilute the tension, and some characters, like Esha Gupta’s Preeti, feel one-dimensional.
While not historically precise, the film’s engaging narrative and Kumar’s charm make it a solid watch. It’s a patriotic, stylish thriller that balances emotion and intrigue, even if it doesn’t fully capture the case’s moral complexity.
A worthy one-time watch. 7.5/10.
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