Film Review: Match Fixing

Artarena Creations Pvt. Ltd.’s Match Fixing (UA) is a political thriller inspired by Kanwar Khatana’s book The Game Behind Saffron Terror.

Story & Screenplay

Set around 2007, the film explores how the then-Congress government allegedly pushed the narrative of “Saffron Terror” following the Samjhauta Express blast, with decorated army officer Avinash Patwardhan (Vineet Kumar Singh) becoming the scapegoat. The adaptation is interesting, but Anuj S. Mehta’s screenplay is overly long and verbose, often testing the audience’s patience. Its class-oriented writing alienates mass viewers. While detailed, the drama lacks the pace of a gripping political thriller. Sameer Garud’s dialogues are thoughtful but heavy.

Performances & Technicals

Vineet Kumar Singh is excellent, lending integrity and depth to Avinash. Anuja Sathe adds dignity as his wife. Sumeet Raghavan, Raj Arjun, Shataf Figar, Lalit Parimoo, and Chandrakant Taneja shine in their respective parts, while the large supporting cast is effective overall. Manoj Joshi, however, falters in diction as Pervez Musharraf.

Kedaar Gaekwad’s direction is strong, though more mass appeal could have helped. Music by Rimi Dhar is suitable, lyrics are good, and Hrishi Giridhar’s background score is effective. Cinematography and action sequences are well-handled, while editing, though sharp, cannot save the film from its excessive length.

Verdict

Match Fixing is a well-intentioned and well-made film with commendable performances, but its verbosity, excessive detailing, and lack of promotion limit its box-office appeal.

⭐ Rating: 2.5 / 5