It has been eight years since Madaari, starring Irrfan Khan, was released in theaters. The 2016 social thriller, directed by the late filmmaker Nishikant Kamat, features Nitesh Pandey, Tushar Dalvi, Jimmy Shergill, and Vishesh Bansal in important roles. As the film has been out for eight years, it is now available for streaming on ZEE5, making it a good time to revisit.
In the movie, a rumor quickly spreads throughout India through social media, with the support of a small news program called Strawberry TV. Everyone is shocked to hear the Home Minister’s 10-year-old son has been kidnapped. This rumor causes a divide among the Indian population; some believe it without question, while others are skeptical, believing that those in power are beyond reproach in their country. Despite the lack of official confirmation from the PMO, the rumor turns out to be true. When the officials learn that Rohan was indeed abducted on his way home from a late-night outing, they appoint the Deputy Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Nachiket Verma (Jimmy Sheirgill), to investigate and identify the kidnappers with the help of the Home Minister and his advisors. The Police suspect various criminals like terrorists, Naxalites, followers of an enemy, or powerful criminals. Alternatively, it could also be a case of mistaken identity. The Kidnapper empathizes with other parents whose children have gone missing. He seeks their assistance locating his child, aiming to reunite him with the Home Minister. The kidnapper, Nirmal (Irrfan Khan), was an ordinary techie until he reached a breaking point and no longer valued life or death. A startling revelation arises from the ongoing pursuit to capture him as the public’s sentiments fluctuate between the two fathers.
Nishant Pitti from Easemytrip was a co-producer, with Shailesh R. Singh, Madan Paliwal, Sutapa Sikdar, and Shailja Kejriwal as the producers. Nishikant Kamat directed the film until his unfortunate passing on August 17, 2020. Despite receiving positive reviews and achieving unexpected box office success upon its initial release, the movie has now garnered a cult following among cinemagoers.
