The Dark Side of Life: Mumbai City
Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:46 pm
The film weaves together multiple stories of individuals grappling with despair, all teetering on the edge of suicide. Among them are a stockbroker (Kay Kay Menon) ruined by a bad investment, a debt-ridden couple, an aspiring singer with unfulfilled dreams, a lonely good Samaritan (Mahesh Bhatt), a troubled cop, and others dealing with personal crises. Each storyline aims to explore the triggers leading to their struggles.
Despite good intentions, the film's episodic structure and sluggish pacing fail to create an emotional connection. The handling of sensitive topics often feels superficial and even callous, undermining its supposed message about suicide awareness. For instance, a psychiatrist dismissively addresses a traumatic confession, highlighting the lack of depth in the script.
Mahesh Bhatt brings wisdom and composure to his role, while Kay Kay Menon stands out with a natural and powerful performance, elevating the material. However, the film overall struggles with execution, attempting to emulate the interconnected narratives of *Crash* (2004) but falling short. While the intention to address mental health is commendable, the treatment leaves much to be desired.