I recently saw The Stoneman Murders (2009), and thought director Manish Gupta had potential, so I had to see one of his more recent flicks, and boy was I right – 420 IPC is that rare film: a clever, no-nonsense thriller that respects your time.
The plot crackles with twists, anchored by Vinay Pathak’s career-best performance (well, one of them)… nervy, nuanced, never overcooked. Brijendra Kala adds sly comic relief, while the newcomer holds her own in a meaty role. Manan Khatri’s direction is lean, the pacing relentless, and the Mumbai underbelly setting feels lived-in.
But here’s the rub: the script’s third act chickens out. After a bravura first two-thirds, the climax feels rushed, tidy, almost safe.
Still, the film’s strengths outweigh its tidy finish. It’s not Drishyam, but for a mid-budget thriller, it’s a triumph of mood and momentum.
7/10: flawed, fun, and far smarter than its title suggests.
Leave a Reply