Star Cast: Divya Khossla, Harshvardhan Rane, Anil Kapoor
Director: Abhinay Deo
In the heart of Liverpool, Savi, a seemingly content housewife, finds her life upended when her husband, Nakul Sachdev (played by Harshvardhan Rane), an employee at a construction firm, is framed for the murder of his boss and imprisoned. Convinced of Nakul’s innocence, Savi embarks on a resolute mission to free him, devising a bold and audacious escape plan. She seeks the aid of Joydeep Paul (Anil Kapoor), an author and former convict, whose expertise in elaborate disguises proves invaluable. Together, they orchestrate Nakul’s daring jailbreak. Meanwhile, the Liverpool police, hot on their trail, uncover incriminating clues at Savi’s home, igniting an intense and relentless pursuit.
“Savi” brims with the potential to be a riveting thriller, but it is marred by a clichéd storyline that hampers its overall impact. While the premise holds intrinsic intrigue, its cinematic execution falls short of fully engaging the audience. The film teeters on the brink of excellence, yet never quite manages to cross that threshold. The screenplay does capture attention intermittently, but several plot holes leave viewers questioning the direction of Abhinay Deo, the mastermind behind the critically acclaimed “Delhi Belly.” With more rigorous development of the screenplay and a stronger focus on performances, “Savi” could have been a standout entry in the jailbreak genre.
Divya Khossla, in the challenging role of Savi, delivers a performance that reflects her dedication and hard work. She remains the central figure throughout the film, although one might wish for a broader emotional spectrum in her portrayal. Harshvardhan Rane as Nakul gives a commendable performance, yet the average screenplay restricts his ability to fully showcase his acting prowess. The film’s saving grace is undoubtedly Anil Kapoor, whose presence injects vibrancy and joy into the narrative. His energy and wit light up the screen, providing much-needed levity.
The jailbreak genre, though extensively explored in Hollywood with iconic films like “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Escape from Alcatraz,” and “Midnight Express,” remains relatively underexplored in Bollywood. “Savi” presented a golden opportunity to elevate this genre within the Indian film industry. Despite earnest efforts, the film ultimately falls short. The jailbreak sequence, which should have been the film’s crescendo, comes off as more ‘tricky’ than ‘daring,’ lacking the anticipated adrenaline rush. Anil Kapoor’s witty dialogues add a touch of humor that, while enjoyable, does little to elevate the overall tension of the thriller.
In conclusion, “Savi” makes a sincere attempt to innovate within the jailbreak genre but fails to deliver a truly compelling experience. The film is peppered with moments of promise, yet it stumbles before reaching the finish line, leaving the audience yearning for more depth and excitement.