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‘Sector 36’ Movie Review: A Grim Dive into Murky Violence and Urban Apathy
Starring: Vikrant Massey, Deepak Dobriyal, Akash Khurana, Darshan Jariwala, Ipshita Chakraborty Singh
Directed by: Aditya Nimbalkar
Written by: Bodhayan Roychaudhury
Duration: 124 minutes
The crime thriller Sector 36, now streaming on Netflix, takes inspiration from the real-life horrors of the 2006 Nithari killings. Directed by debutant Aditya Nimbalkar, the film explores a fictionalized version of the infamous case, delving into the dark and exploitative nature of the crimes that shocked the nation. However, the film’s gloomy narrative struggles to provide a cohesive or compelling analysis of the tragedy, often succumbing to vagueness, violence, and clichés.
A Grim Setting
Set in the heart of Delhi’s Rajiv Colony, Sector 36 presents the grim backdrop of a vast slum filled with migrant families, where children and young women have been disappearing without a trace. The local police, led by sub-inspector Ram Charan Pandey (Deepak Dobriyal), are initially indifferent to the plight of these impoverished victims. However, when Ram’s own daughter is nearly abducted by a masked serial killer named Prem (Vikrant Massey), the lawman’s passive attitude transforms into a personal quest for justice.
This sudden shift in Ram’s character highlights one of the film’s central themes—the unfortunate reality that societal problems only seem to matter when they hit close to home. While this may be an accurate reflection of Indian society’s complacency toward systemic issues, the transition feels jarring and convenient, reducing a deeply complex human response to a mere plot device.
Performances: Massey and Dobriyal Carry the Weight
Vikrant Massey plays Prem, the psychopathic killer, with a quiet menace, though his performance is hindered by a script that leans heavily on serial killer stereotypes. Whether it’s his eerie solitude in a large, dimly lit house or his Ravana mask during abductions, Prem is never given the depth to evolve beyond a caricature.
Deepak Dobriyal, as Ram, gives a solid performance, embodying a man torn between the law and his personal fears. Dobriyal’s portrayal of a flawed, cynical police officer adds nuance to an otherwise formulaic narrative. His change of heart may feel contrived, but he grounds the character with enough authenticity to keep the audience engaged.
A Flawed Narrative
Despite a strong cast, Sector 36 falters in its storytelling. The script, while borrowing from true events, is too reluctant to take a firm stance. The Nithari killings, which involved gruesome accusations of organ trafficking, necrophilia, and cannibalism, were a harrowing and highly publicized case. Yet, the film avoids committing to any specific angle, instead choosing to leave all possibilities open. This lack of direction strips the film of tension, making it feel more like a collection of crime clichés than a powerful social commentary.
The film’s exploration of urban inequality and the neglected poor feels similarly half-hearted. By showing how the system fails the underprivileged, Sector 36 attempts to make a larger statement about societal apathy, but ultimately, it shrugs off these themes with an unsatisfying sense of resignation. The message seems to be that “nobody cares”—an oversimplification of a complex problem that leaves the audience feeling more frustrated than enlightened.
Visually Striking but Thematically Hollow
One area where Sector 36 does excel is in its cinematography. Co-cinematographer Saurabh Goswami, known for his work on Pataal Lok, brings a dark and brooding atmosphere to the film. The visuals are moody and striking, often using shadow and light to emphasize the sinister nature of the crimes. The use of mythology-fueled imagery, such as Prem’s Ravana mask, adds an eerie touch, though it feels more like style over substance.
The soundtrack is a mixed bag. The occasional appearance of old Bollywood songs like “Man Kyun Behka” from a cassette player is a welcome nostalgic nod, but the background score often fails to elevate the tension, relying on generic thriller tropes that weaken the film’s impact.
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity
In the end, Sector 36 is a film that leaves much to be desired. While it tackles an important and disturbing real-life case, its refusal to take a clear stance results in a story that feels muddled and unsatisfying. Despite strong performances from Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal, the film’s reliance on clichés and lack of thematic depth prevents it from becoming the hard-hitting crime thriller it aspires to be. Visually impressive but narratively underwhelming, Sector 36 is a thriller that, much like its protagonist, fails to take decisive action when it matters most.