The Night Manager Story:-
The espiode thriller revolves around Shaan Sengupta, a hotel night manager and former navy officer, who embarks on a mission to infiltrate the influential arms dealer Shailendra Rungta’s gang in order to bring him to justice.
Movie Ratings
Release Date | 17 February 2023 |
Language | Hindi |
Genre | Crime, Thriller |
Cast | Jagdish Rajpurohit, Salim Siddiqui, Anand Vikas Potdekhe, Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur |
Director | Priyanka Ghose, Rukh Nabeel, Sandeep Modi |
Writer | David Farr |
Cinematography | Benjamin Jasper, Anik Ram Verma |
Producer | Amrita Sen, Preity Zinta |
Production | Banijay Asia, Highgate Entertainment |
Certificate | 18+ |
Based on John le Carré’s novel and the British series of the same name, the show kicks off with an intense sequence as a prisoner escapes from a police van amidst rugged snowy terrains and finds himself amidst violent Rohingya protests outside The Oriental Pearl hotel in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Viewers are introduced to the suave night manager of the hotel, Shaan Sengupta (Aditya Roy Kapur), who adeptly handles crises to ensure the safety and comfort of the guests. The narrative unfolds with gripping events, including a troubled teenager named Safina attempting to escape her older criminal husband, Shaan’s efforts to assist her, and his collaboration with Indian RAW agent Lipika Siakia Rao (Tilottama Shome) to apprehend the arms dealer Shailendra Rungta, also known as Shelly (Anil Kapoor), who is involved in illegal arms trafficking worldwide.
Director Sandeep Modi maintains a tight grip on the narrative, captivating viewers with the engaging storyline and dynamic treatment in the show’s opening episode. However, there are moments, particularly when Shaan infiltrates Shelly’s estate and befriends his son Taha, where the pace and intensity wane slightly. Despite this, the narrative remains engaging, and anticipation builds as Shaan delves deeper into Shelly’s criminal network.
While the spy thriller is enthralling, it is not without its flaws. Some plot points feel implausible, such as Shelly quickly accepting Shaan into his inner circle despite the latter’s suspicions about his motives. Additionally, Shaan’s relatively easy access to restricted areas within Shelly’s estate and the swift manner in which Lipika recruits him as an asset raise questions about credibility.
Aditya Roy Kapur delivers a stellar performance as Shaan, effortlessly portraying the complexities of his character’s dual identity. Anil Kapoor’s portrayal of Shelly is understated yet impactful, allowing Kapur’s character to take center stage. Saswata Chatterjee shines as Shelly’s loyal associate Brij Pal, delivering a compelling performance. Sobhita Dhulipala’s portrayal of Kaveri, Shelly’s girlfriend, adds depth to the narrative, although her backstory remains undisclosed.
Despite its occasional predictability and underwhelming moments, Part One of the series is worth watching, thanks to Aditya Roy Kapur’s compelling performance and the gritty portrayal of espionage elements. The anticipation for Part Two, teased with high-octane action, makes the wait worthwhile.