- Release Date: 13/09/2024
- Platform: Netflix
- Cast: Vikrant Massey, Deepak Dobriyal, Baharul Islam, Darshan Jariwala, Ajeet Singh, Mahadev Singh Lakhawat
- Director: Aditya Nimbalkar
Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal Shine in a Savage and Grim Portrait of Crime, Class, and Corruption
Sector 36, inspired by the infamous Nithari serial murders of 2005, is a bone-chilling experience that transcends the boundaries of a typical crime thriller involving serial killers. It is the kind of film that is impossible to review in general terms and is so shocking and bewildering in its presentation of crimes inspired by real events that, for once, I was led to believe that indeed “truth is stranger than fiction.
No writer, no matter how ghastly the stories he might have read or written in his life, could craft something this depraved and sickening unless he had taken cues from true incidents and cases documenting the most beastly and stomach-churning achievements of humanity when left to their own devices and led to believe that the law of the land does not exist.
Sector 36 also highlights the massive divide between the rich and the poor and how even the poor, under the protection of the rich, are led to believe that the lives of the poor are disposable. What is even more shocking regarding the film is the portrayal of law enforcement’s role in the entire ordeal and how they reinforced the belief among the poor and neglected that, no matter how much they suffer, there will never be anyone to come to their rescue. Even when there is evidence and proof of wrongdoing against them, they are forced to accept that the rich and powerful are entitled to subjugate them, and it is their fate to endure what is inflicted upon them.
The film hits even harder because we now know that both the accused in the Nithari case, who were handed death sentences numerous times, have been completely acquitted of all their crimes due to a lack of evidence in 2023. One of the family members of a 6-year-old victim quickly commented on this shocking judgment, saying that there is a higher court where God will deliver the necessary judgment. I was even more horrified to read this, as it raised the question: “Have we really reached a point where our justice system has failed to the extent that we must now await just judgment from the court of God?”
Subtle Storytelling vs. Audience Expectations:
Sector 36, no matter how savage and unsavoury, needed to be made—and needed to be made well. The first thing the film needed to get right was the writing. Many have complained about the nature of the final act, specifically how the primary antagonist confesses to his crime without the police having to dig for the necessary evidence to prove his guilt. For them, this was underwhelming regarding how the story was built up and then culminated. These audiences are viewing the film as a work of fiction, where the story could be twisted and manipulated to incite excitement and thrill. However, I have read just enough about the case to understand that the intention of the makers was not to present a thrilling, edge-of-the-seat story about a man-eating serial killer unleashed on a crowd of helpless and naïve people. Instead, the film was inspired by true events, and the makers aimed to keep the story, screenplay, and characters as close to reality as possible. In doing so, they ensured that the socio-economic causes behind the murders—and how they were dealt with—were presented in their savage reality and not-so-subtle nuances.
Hence, when Prem (Vikrant Massey) casually talks about his horrendous crimes with SI Pandey (Deepak Dobriyal) while simultaneously being anxious about missing the latest episode of a game show resembling Kaun Banega Crorepati, the filmmakers were trying to depict something close to what actually happened and is documented, rather than conjuring up a crowd-pleasing finale with an elaborate chase sequence or a perfectly choreographed hand-to-hand combat scene between the protagonist and the antagonist.
One has to agree that this exchange, along with another later between Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal, are two of the film’s highest points. It is during these exchanges that the social commentary of the film is delivered, and I, as a viewer, was able to grasp its frustrating nature and its impact on society without being force-fed heavy doses of dialogue.
Prem talks about what he has done, while Pandey speaks very little. Yet, their mannerisms, how they react to each other, and the things they do say underline the state of societal decay as effectively as one could hope for. The audience is not lectured here but is shown the true state of affairs through the predicaments and situations of the characters. This approach worked wonders for me and made me take the film much more seriously than I otherwise would have.
Impactful Performances Elevate the Film:
The performances from the ensemble cast form the backbone of the film. While the writing can get predictable at times—and those familiar with the Nithari incident may find the plot twists, proceedings, and reveals underwhelming, as the filmmakers try to keep things realistic and subtle—the film scores heavily with its performances.
Frustration as a Measure of Success:
The embodiment of unadulterated evil that Prem and his employer represent is conveyed masterfully through their performances to the audience. You feel such contempt and disgust for these two characters that whatever happens later in the film is bound to leave you frustrated. Now that we know how the true story ended, it’s even more frustrating to see these people evade the justice system as easily as they do.
While this might not be ideal for storytelling, the frustration you feel about the characters not receiving justice is the film’s biggest success in terms of both its direction and performance. The actors have made you take sides, and they’ve evoked genuine emotions and hatred toward their characters. This contributes immensely to the film’s overall grit, realism, savagery, and harrowing impact. While you might not have enjoyed what you saw unfold, you were definitely impacted by it—and that was exactly the intention of the filmmakers.
Vikrant Massey: A Masterful Portrayal of Evil:
Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal deliver some of their best performances. Massey effortlessly transitions into this heinous monster, and the natural, impactful way he portrays every aspect of his character made me appreciate his role like never before. I absolutely loved him in A Death in the Gunj and 12th Fail, but what he has achieved here will surpass all his previous performances combined. It’s not just the sickness he brings to the character, but also the confidence and the importance he attaches to trivial things while completely ignoring the horrifying violence and beastly treatment he inflicts on his victims. This was the most shocking aspect of his character and performance. I was completely bewildered by the calmness and justification he portrayed, and I couldn’t help but be in awe of his realistic and shocking rendering of the most bizarre aspects of his character.
Deepak Dobriyal’s Remarkable Transformation:
Dobriyal as Pandey is just as fantastic, if not better. He starts off as someone who is part of the system and knows exactly how to ignore the pleas of the poor and the “unimportant.” However, as disaster strikes close to home and he experiences the true pain and trauma of being in a similar situation, he undergoes a transformation. This transformation is exceptionally well portrayed by Dobriyal, in an act where everything else falls into place just as organically. As the story progresses, we see him becoming increasingly frustrated with all he has to endure just to get justice for the poor. His championing of their rights is met with contempt, corruption, and unbelievable bias from the higher police machinery and political forces, who go to great lengths to protect Prem and his wealthy, privileged employer. Dobriyal beautifully captures the frustration and sadness that this experience brings. This aspect of his character further enhances both his performance and the impact of the story as a whole.
Final Words:
Sector 36 is a must-watch. I would strongly advise viewers to do some research on the Nithari case before watching this film. That will instantly enhance your intrigue and understanding of the story, and it will also make you aware that the filmmakers are not out to create another crowd-pleaser. Instead, they focus on presenting a true and horrific portrayal of what must have transpired during those years at Nithari, albeit disguising their story and screenplay as fiction for obvious reasons.
Rating: 4/5 (4 out of 5 Stars)
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