RIFLE RANGE BOY: Not a joyride!

Crazxy (Hindi; 2025)
Written and Directed by: Girish Kohli

https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/bollywood-movies/
crazxy-movie-review-71820.html

When Girish Kohli shared his story, nobody believed it would sell. The idea of a lone man driving around in a car telling his story did not excite them. Therefore, Kohli turned to Sonny Shah, who agreed to finance and play the lead role. The end result turned out to be a real head-turner and an edge-of-the-seat, high-octane thriller. It is a road movie of a different kind, where most of the action and storytelling take place within the confines of the car, on the highway, and through phone conversations.

There are a few flashbacks and a video conference; otherwise, Sonum Shah is the only actor in the film. In the finale, his teenage daughter makes a brief, touching appearance. The caller ID images provide us with a rough idea of the other character's demeanour and role in their life.

I recall an instance when a medical officer, a mother, was busy at work in the Emergency Department, attending to a room full of sick children. Anxious parents were making a fuss, complaining about the long wait, the staff shortage, and the precariousness of their children's situations. They quickly shifted their anger toward the doctor, whom they perceived as incompetent. They became silent when the receptionist told the parents to bear with the doctor as her daughter was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

That sums up the multitasking some professionals must undertake to responsibly execute their assigned tasks while fulfilling personal duties as a father, spouse, or child to their loved ones. Even in times of adversity, they must put on a brave front to give their subordinates undivided attention; they must remain pillars of strength despite the uncertainties they face. They must act professionally amidst all the turmoil in which they may be immersed. The world shows no sympathy for individual needs; it considers the bigger picture. An individual is merely a minute speck within the greater scheme of the Universe.

The film begins with Dr. Abhimanyu Sood packing a bag filled with ₹5 crores in cash into his car. Dr. Sood, a general surgeon, finds himself in a predicament. A teenager he operated on for appendicitis dies due to complications, and he is squarely blamed for the death because of his antics outside of work. He has admitted to snorting cocaine. His lawyers have advised him to pursue an out-of-court settlement, as his chances of winning in court are slim. Therefore, he is making his way to drop off the money at a disclosed location.

It was April 1st. The radio was blaring, with April Fool's pranks filling the air. So when someone called him on his phone to inform him that he had kidnapped Sood's estranged daughter and wanted a ransom for the exact amount he was carrying, he was sure it was just a prank.

Sood had previously left his wife and their daughter with Down Syndrome on less than amicable terms. His new girlfriend is eager to begin a fresh start. Juggling emotionally draining calls to verify the legitimacy of the claims and conversations with his current crush, Sood finally realised he had not been a good person. He had been unfair to his young daughter and wanted to make amends. He decided to use his stash of money to rescue her.

His situation becomes more precarious as his lawyers press him to deliver the money. His car tyre developed a puncture and needed to be replaced. To top it off, Sood's patient in the ICU requires urgent surgery. Sood assigns his inexperienced, reluctant junior surgeon to perform a major surgery under his direct video supervision via mobile.

Despite being a solo performance with limited dialogue and a monotonous background, it succeeded in gripping its audience and maintaining their attention until the end. 4.5/5. Recommendable.

P.S. It is based on the 2013 Hollywood film 'Locke', starring Tom Hardy.