Apurva, available on Disney+ Hotstar, ventures into a gritty and realistic narrative, blending elements of brutality and bravery. Headlined by Tara Sutaria, the film aspires to make a feminist statement while highlighting the resilience of a courageous yet vulnerable woman confronted by a group of ruthless men.
The plot unfolds with a gang brutally attacking three men on a desolate highway in Chambal, looting their jewelry. As they embark on their next mission, they encounter Apurva (Tara Sutaria), a woman traveling to Agra to surprise her banker boyfriend. Predictably, her plans go awry as she becomes the target of Sukhi (Abhishek Banerjee), a menacing gang member. The subsequent scenes aim to evoke a sense of shock and horror in the audience.
Flashbacks delve into Apurva's life and her relationship with Sid (Dhairya Karwa), providing character depth and intermittently offering respite from the intense violence. Moments featuring Apurva and Sid, particularly during their families' meeting, add sweetness to the narrative. However, the emotional connection with the characters, especially the titular protagonist, falls short.
The cat-and-mouse chase between Apurva and her captors shifts to a deserted village, intensifying the atmosphere as she strives to survive the nightmarish ordeal. While the film succeeds in creating gripping and tense moments, the predictable storyline hampers its impact.
The four gangsters, distinct in age, personality, and background, lack detailed development in the script. The film touches on incidents of sexual abuse recorded by men on their phones but falls short of delivering a powerful commentary on social conditioning, misogyny, or warped masculinity. Characters portrayed by Banerjee and Rajpal Yadav appear one-dimensional.
Tara Sutaria shoulders the film, excelling in action sequences but struggling to meet the demands of intense emotional scenes. In terms of subject and storytelling, Apurva draws parallels to NH10 but lacks the layers and nuances of the latter. While shocking in parts, it misses the opportunity to be thought-provoking.
Overall, Apurva offers a riveting tale of survival, propelled by Tara Sutaria's commendable performance, even though it falls short of reaching the heights of its thematic potential.
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