Vijay 69 Review: Plot: Vijay Matthew (Anupam Kher), is a 69-year-old man who has lived a life in oblivion like many others in the city of Mumbai. A hilarious incident brings him to the realization that there is nothing monumental in his life trajectory that people will rave about in his eulogy. So he decides to make his life great by becoming the oldest man to have completed the famous triathlon. The world comes crashing down on him because how can a man who is supposed to be waiting for his death be dreaming? Does he participate? What exactly is a victory for him? 

Vijay 69 Review: Analysis

Take out a couple of minutes, go to the internet, and check the list of films released in the past two years. Mark every film that is not about saving the world, killing people, someone on espionage, guns being fired, or cars being flipped. Now, from the remaining movies, mark the ones that are slice-of-life, do not want to cash in on any trend, and just want to be a novel story of hope, love, and happiness. Once upon a time, we had ample of those, but now we have lost that alley. The last film I can recall was the brilliant Mast Mein Rehne Ka starring Neena Gupta and Jackie Shroff, and even that was after a long time. This is the void that makes the craving for these stories immense, but what makes makers think there isn't any? Director Akshay Roy and Anupam Kher are right here to fill that very void with a film that captivates you like a spell and never leaves you like a close friend.

Written and directed by Akshay Roy, who is also credited for the dialogues, Vijay 69 is not a story of victory; it is a story of hope—hope that makes things happen, hope that prevails everything, and moreover, hope that keeps one alive. Roy, who last directed Meri Pyaari Bindu (a film I love), is a filmmaker who understands longing in any form. It could be two lovers, parents, or validation. With the core concept, he develops a film with a star who has probably achieved the moon in his profession only to break his entire self for the part where the character feels hopeless about themselves. There is so much in how Vijay is written. Look around at every parent regardless of their gender—the sacrifices they made, no matter what the situation was. Did they ever get to fulfill those abandoned dreams? Was there ever a moment to seek redemption?

Certainly not. Akshay Roy taps into that space and explores exactly that. He creates a man who is as layered as a real person. He uses cuss words because that's his language; he has sacrificed his dream to be with his dying wife and a very young daughter. The responsibility of being a single parent never gave him a chance to really go back to those dreams. But when everything is settled, he gets a moment to look back and figure if there is anything monumental he can be remembered by. A question many of us do not even dare to ask ourselves. But Vijay is an embodiment of one who does and an example to those who don't. He chooses to complete a triathlon. The screenplay is even more beautiful because Akshay understands this movie was never supposed to be about the climax. Everyone knows what happens at the end of slice-of-life films.

Roy is sticking to telling you how the journey looks. What does a man doing something unconventional have to go through because he is now living a life that will be run by society and not his conscience? He needs validation from the world for every step. What keeps this ship floating and in the smoothest flair is how Akshay Roy and Abbas Tyrewala (additional dialogue) never make it a serious film. The intent is to always keep the humor flowing even in the most emotional situations and let them make the audience shed happy tears and giggle together.

It is a tough balance to achieve, but Roy does it quite brilliantly. To his rescue, if something goes wrong, is a stellar star cast led by the iconic Anupam Kher. Kher embodies Vijay like a second skin. For a star of his stature to break his stardom for roles like these and never let the panache come through is a task, and we can only bow down to this magician who has given us not just this but numerous such characters.

The late motif of Anupam Kher’s character being named Vijay lands so well because “VIJAY KABHI MARTA NAHIN HAI” (IYKYK). Akshay Roy’s cinematic language of borrowing inspiration from the legends is at full display even here. If you have seen Meri Pyaari Bindu (I am questioning your taste if you haven't), you know he has a flair for blending his stories into poetry, the music of the past, and walking down memory lane. His cinematic language is almost like reading someone’s personal journal, and that continues with Vijay 69. To take this vision ahead is DOP Sahil Bhardwaj, who keeps the visuals warm and makes them feel like a beautiful fairytale while also keeping it all rooted and real.

Others who elevate this beautiful film are Chunky Pandey and his stunning performance. I would be seated in the front row if the actor promises to play such parts more. Watching Guddi Maruti on screen again and her reminding us why she is the OG and will always be iconic has made my day. Mihir Ahuja as Aditya is a good performer. To hold his ground in the same frame as Anupam Kher requires courage, and he does it well.

Vijay 69 only lags when it tries to look at Gen Z because it still feels like a very bird’s-eye view of a generation that is much more complex. Some decisions seem very convenient. However, what overshadows all of this is how the film manages to be beautiful even when it is dramatically extreme, and that is how this plot device must be handled.

Vijay 69 Review: Final Verdict

All in all, Vijay 69 is a reminder of what Hindi cinema needs more of right now: stories that are simple and do not involve a world that needs saving. Sometimes, people saving themselves and looking for hope is all that the audience craves.

Vijay 69 is now streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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