Fateh, directed by Sonu Sood, marks the actor’s directorial debut and features him in the lead role alongside Jacqueline Fernandez. Released last Friday, the film shines a light on the world of cybercrime, especially fraudsters who loot people under fake loan applications. Fateh Singh, portrayed by Sood, a former secret agent turned vigilante embarks on a mission to rescue a girl from his village trapped in a global scam, with the great Nasseruddin Shah playing opposite. Here is my no-spoiler take on the film.
The Narrative:
The storyline is well-paced with the right amount of action and thrill. Fateh Singh is a quiet, unassuming man who is living a quiet life as a dairy farming supervisor in Punjab. He is then thrust into turmoil when he discovers that a young woman from his village has gone missing. When he travels to Delhi to uncover the mystery, he discovers a sprawling cybercrime network that exploits vulnerable individuals through predatory loan schemes. Along with Khushi Sharma(Jacqueline Fernandez), an ethical hacker, he faces many adversaries. The plot unfolds with relentless violence as he devises a master plan to rescue the girl.
The Insights:
I felt that the film could not manage the sensitive topic of cybercrime and lacked attention to detail when it came to the storyline. It focuses on violence and action rather than an engaging narrative. The plot becomes predictable after a point. Gains are added by supporting cast actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Vijay Raaz, but their characters end up being underutilized. It makes me feel as though the important moments were a rush through with little emotional connection with the audience, but the action scenes kept my seat on edge every time and added some excitement.
Winning Elements:
However, a poor storyline does not mean that the film is a complete waste of time. Some of the winning elements for me were Sonu Sood’s standout performance and visually pleasing action sequences. Sonu shines as Fateh and has given the best performance of his career. The action scenes are very realistic and do not compromise on anything. The graphics might be too violent for some, but for me, it felt like a high-budget Hollywood CGI. Also shot by Italian cinematographer Vincenzo Condorelli, the film boasts striking visuals that enhance its thrilling atmosphere.
Final Thoughts:
In conclusion, Fateh is an ambitious project for Sonu Sood as he transitions from actor to director. While it delivers action at a fast pace and showcases Sood’s star power, it fails to deliver on the narrative front. However, for fans like me who love action cinema, Fateh offers an entertaining experience with a rush of adrenaline. All the actors did what they needed to do, which renders this film worth watching, all things considered. BGM is also very loud, and such a film experience should be sought at theaters!