Film Review: THE LAST VERDICT (Hindi; UA)

Trident Pictures’ The Last Verdict is a courtroom drama about morality, justice, and personal redemption.

Story & Screenplay:Arvind Khanna (Manoj Bajpayee), a retired judge, comes back into the legal world after years of silence when he is asked to represent a young man, Sameer (Ishaan Khatter), accused of a brutal double murder. Though the evidence is stacked against Sameer, Arvind believes there is more to the case. As the trial unfolds, Arvind discovers shocking truths not only about the crime but also about his own past verdicts that shaped innocent lives.

Sagar Kapoor’s story is gripping, though familiar in parts. The screenplay blends legal arguments with emotional undercurrents. Courtroom exchanges are powerful but sometimes overlong, diluting the sharpness. Dialogues (by Javed Akhtar) are impactful and occasionally poetic.

Performances:

• Manoj Bajpayee is flawless, bringing gravitas and vulnerability to the conflicted judge.

• Ishaan Khatter delivers an impressive turn, portraying the accused with a mix of fear and resilience.

• Tabu (as prosecutor Naina Sharma) is fiery and commanding.

• Neena Gupta as Arvind’s estranged wife provides warmth in her limited screen time.

Direction & Technicals:Ritesh Batra directs with subtlety, keeping drama rooted in realism. Editing by Shweta Venkat is neat though 15 minutes could have been trimmed. Background score by Clinton Cerejo underlines the mood effectively. Cinematography (Anil Mehta) uses shadows and confined spaces to heighten intensity.

Overall:A sincere, well-acted drama with strong dialogues but limited mass appeal.

Box Office:Will work in urban multiplexes, but rural/small-town audiences may find it