Exploring Anurag Kashyap's Dark Vision in 'Kennedy'
The Transformation of the Mumbai Underworld
The Mumbai underworld appears to have faded into obscurity. With Dawood Ibrahim absent, and Chhota Rajan and Abu Salem incarcerated, the question arises: what happens to the gangster film genre that has captivated Hindi cinema for nearly thirty years? Anurag Kashyap's film, Kennedy, offers a fresh perspective.
In Kennedy, the narrative shifts focus to the Mumbai police, who are depicted as the true criminals. The film boldly suggests that these supposed protectors, who boast of being 'second only to Scotland Yard,' are at the forefront of extortion and lawlessness.
Having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, Kennedy is now available on ZEE5. The story unfolds during the Covid pandemic, with masks playing a significant role. The plot draws inspiration from the 2021 Antilla bomb scare, where a police unit allegedly placed explosives near Mukesh Ambani's residence under dubious circumstances.
The central character, Uday Shetty (played by Rahul Bhat), is an assassin masquerading as a chauffeur for a car rental service. Once a police officer, he now serves as an unofficial hitman for Commissioner Rasheed Khan (Mohit Takalkar).
Uday, reminiscent of Travis Bickle, carries out Rasheed's orders with a cold detachment. Throughout the film, he encounters Charlie (Sunny Leone), a mysterious fixer with a penchant for alcohol and an unusual laugh.
The title Kennedy not only refers to Uday's alias but also alludes to conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The film's plot echoes crime dramas where well-meaning individuals become vigilantes, only to discover they are mere pawns in a larger political scheme. Characters plot in bars and the backseats of cars.
Kennedy goes beyond its predecessors by portraying Uday's psychological unraveling, making him an ideal enforcer for Rasheed and his associate Kale (Shrikant Yadav). With vast sums of money at stake, Rasheed's crew devises a bizarre plan to unsettle a billionaire.
The film's surreal execution adds to its bizarre nature. Kashyap and cinematographer Sylvester Fonseca reimagine Mumbai as a desolate landscape filled with neon lights. In this eerie setting, shadows stretch long, relationships are purely transactional, and madness prevails.
Despite the film's unsettling atmosphere, Kashyap's tendency to lose focus after establishing a gripping premise, along with some overly explicit dialogue, detracts from its impact. The film's strength lies in its subtlety, which is occasionally overshadowed by excessive exposition.
Kashyap's portrayal of Rasheed's elaborate scheme becomes convoluted. However, Kennedy successfully paints a bleak picture of Mumbai as a city plagued by moral decay, where greed reigns supreme and values are meaningless.
The film juxtaposes jarring classical music with scenes of violence, while indie artists Amir Aziz and Boyblanck provide club tracks that comment on widespread moral corruption. Uday's domestic melodrama feels disconnected from the main narrative.
Mohit Takalkar's theatrical performance contrasts with Rahul Bhat's stoic portrayal of Uday, who embodies a threat to society and himself, yet his gravelly voice becomes monotonous.
The standout performance comes from Sunny Leone, who delivers an impressive portrayal of Charlie, adding to the film's overall eeriness. Her ambiguous motives align perfectly with Kashyap's chaotic universe.