Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini’s Baghban has become a pop-culture staple when it comes to emotionally charged family dramas. However, it’s also infamous as a film many hesitate to watch with their parents due to its awkward undertones. Fast forward 21 years, and Anil Sharma’s Vanvaas arrives with a similar message—ending with a literal call to action: “Go… hug your parents.” But does this film fall into the same category? Let’s find out.
Anil Sharma’s Return Post-Gadar 2
After the nostalgia-fueled success of Gadar 2 in 2023, Anil Sharma is back, but this time the drama is limited to emotional tearjerkers rather than explosive action scenes. Vanvaas centers around Deepak Tyagi (Nana Patekar), a retired patriarch grappling with vascular dementia. His life is a solitary one, filled with memories of his late wife, Vimla (Khushbu Sundar), who continues to haunt him. See Pushpa 2 Worldwide Box Office: Allu Arjun’s Blockbuster Hits ₹1450 Cr
A Sinister Family Plot
Deepak’s three sons and their wives initially appear to be caretakers. However, their real intentions revolve around his ancestral house, which they all want a share of. In a heartless twist, they conspire to abandon him in Benaras, leaving him without his medication, and declare him dead back home in Shimla.
Nana Patekar: The Emotional Anchor
The film’s saving grace is undoubtedly Nana Patekar’s heartfelt performance. His portrayal of a vulnerable yet dignified man abandoned by his family evokes genuine sympathy. While the plot might not offer much novelty, Patekar’s nuanced acting breathes life into this otherwise predictable tale.
A Heavy Burden on Nana Patekar’s Shoulders
Written by Anil Sharma, Amjad Ali, and Sunil Sirvaiya, Vanvaas stumbles early on with misplaced focus. The excessive screen time devoted to the romance between Deepak (Nana Patekar) and Vimla (Khushbu Sundar) feels unnecessary, and the narrative leans entirely on Nana to carry the film.
The familiar trope of helpless parents and selfish children takes center stage yet again. While the premise of old parents being abandoned for material gain is sadly rooted in reality, the film struggles with its execution, particularly in the first half.
What Doesn’t Work
Anil Sharma’s direction falters as he fails to strike a balance between drama and storytelling. The first half meanders, leaving the audience disengaged, while the second half offers glimpses of brilliance that are swiftly undermined by outdated storytelling choices.
For instance, the climax includes Veeru Volunteer (Utkarsh Sharma) inexplicably dressing up as Deepak Tyagi during the end credits—a bizarre tribute that feels out of place. Anil’s son, Utkarsh, takes up significant screen time but fails to match the gravitas of Nana Patekar. His romantic subplot with Meena (Simratt Kaur) adds little to the story, and two unnecessary songs drag the pacing further.
Music and Editing: A Mixed Bag
The music in Vanvaas fails to leave a lasting impression, with songs like Geeli Maachis and the romantic ballad between Veeru and Meena feeling redundant. A sharper edit could have significantly improved the film’s pacing.
Final Verdict
While Vanvaas treads on familiar ground with its heavy-handed moral messaging, it manages to strike a chord thanks to Nana Patekar’s powerful performance. The film reminds us of the importance of family bonds but does so in a way that feels less impactful than its predecessor, Baghban.
Should you watch Vanvaas with your parents? Probably yes, if only to start a conversation about empathy and care in families.