In Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's Apurva, Tara Sutaria stars in a survival thriller that falls short due to a formulaic plot and an excess of gratuitous violence. The film, set in the blood-soaked backdrop of Chambal, attempts to blend predictable narrative choices with shock value, often resorting to head-clobbering scenes that overshadow any potential for a compelling storyline.
The protagonist, portrayed by Tara Sutaria, embarks on a bus journey to meet her banker fiancé, played by Dhairya Karwa. Flashbacks reveal her attempt at learning to drive and the unlikely love story between Apurva and her boyfriend, initiated during an arranged marriage proposal.
As the plot unfolds, the film descends into unsubtle misogyny, seemingly building up to a cathartic climax. However, the narrative takes a disconcerting turn, prioritizing lecherous criminal behavior over the initial focus on robbery. The film fails to evoke fear or discomfort, with moments of gratuitous violence leaving the audience more inclined to flinch than be genuinely engaged.
The second half of Apurva attempts to salvage the narrative with a hurried sequence of events where the protagonist, amidst tears and traps, overcomes her adversaries. Despite Tara Sutaria's efforts, the character's emotions lack depth, and the relationship with her boyfriend is portrayed through flimsy flashbacks, devoid of genuine emotion.
Abhishek Banerjee's character feels underutilized, with occasional glimpses of the actor's talent struggling to shine through the cosmetic villain role. Rajpal Yadav's portrayal of the poker-faced gang leader adds an element of honesty, but the film fails to explore the complexities of his character.
In her first intense role, Tara Sutaria delivers an adequate performance within the confines of the film's dated narrative. However, the disjointed portrayal of misogyny and feminist retaliation makes it challenging for her to present a layered performance.
Predictability looms large in Apurva, as the film unfolds in a simplistic manner, deviating little from the expected trajectory. The climax, featuring Apurva's signature move of crushing an adversary's head, serves as a fitting but unsurprising conclusion to this thriller.
