Author: Anupam Pathak

You know, I’ve seen my fair share of crime dramas, but Despatch left me feeling like I was stuck in a never-ending stakeout with no coffee and a dead phone battery. Talk about a snoozefest!

Jokes aside, Despatch had all the ingredients for a gripping thriller – a star-studded cast, an intriguing premise, and a director known for exploring morally complex characters. But somehow, the final product is about as exciting as watching paint dry on a crime scene wall.

The story follows Joy Bag (played by the usually brilliant Manoj Bajpayee), a crime reporter who stumbles upon a massive scam while investigating a shocking murder. As he digs deeper, he realizes he’s bitten off more than he can chew, putting himself and his family in danger. Sounds thrilling, right? Well, not so much.

The biggest problem with Despatch is its pacing. The film moves slower than a snail on sleeping pills, taking forever to get to the point. It’s like the director, Kanu Behl, was trying to win a prize for the longest buildup in history. By the time the climax finally arrives, you’re more likely to be snoring than on the edge of your seat.

Even the talented cast can’t save this sinking ship. Manoj Bajpayee, who usually knocks it out of the park, seems to be sleepwalking through his role. His character, Joy, is supposed to be morally dubious, but he just comes across as frustratingly reckless. It’s like watching a toddler play with a loaded gun – you want to yell at the screen, “Put that down before you hurt yourself!”

The supporting cast, including Shahana Goswami and Arrchita Agarwaal, are criminally underutilized. Their characters are about as well-developed as a stick figure drawing. It’s a shame, because these actresses have proven their mettle in other projects, but here they’re reduced to mere props in Joy’s story.

The film’s attempt at social commentary also falls flat. It tries to explore the dark underbelly of crime and corruption, but it’s about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. The “shocking revelations” are more like mild surprises, and the ending leaves you with more questions than answers.

Now, I’ll admit, there are moments when Despatch shows glimmers of potential. The cinematography is decent, capturing the gritty streets of the city with a certain flair. And there are a few scenes where Manoj Bajpayee reminds us why he’s considered one of the finest actors in the business. But these moments are few and far between, lost in a sea of monotony.

Is Despatch the worst crime drama ever made? No, but it’s far from the best. It’s like ordering a thriller and getting served a lukewarm bowl of boredom soup. You keep waiting for the flavors to kick in, but they never quite do.

If you’re a die-hard Manoj Bajpayee fan, you might find some enjoyment in watching him try to elevate the material. But for most viewers, Despatch is a disappointing miss. It’s the kind of movie that makes you wish you’d just stayed home and watched reruns of CID instead.

In the end, Despatch is a crime drama that fails to deliver on its promising premise. It’s a slow, muddled mess that wastes its talented cast and leaves the audience feeling more confused than entertained. Maybe next time, the filmmakers will remember that a good thriller needs more than just a star-studded cast – it needs a pulse, too.

• Director: Kanu Behl
• Producers: Ronnie Screwvala
• Writer: Kanu Behl and Ishani Banerjee
• Stars: Manoj Bajpayee, Arrchita Agarwaal, Shahana Goswami
• Released on December 13, 2024