Kennedy is the story of a mysterious man who is continuously killing in the city and that too in different, shocking ways. This man of few words is very suspicious and the cold manner in which he commits murder makes one uncomfortable. The film is written and directed by Anurag Kashyap, and it is now streaming on ZEE5. This film, made three years ago, won praise and awards in many film festivals, but instead of theatre, it got a direct OTT release.
Many questions arise in the story, for whom is this person working? Who is “Big Papa”? What is his backstory? The film answers these questions, but at its own pace. This is a slow-burn thriller, which progresses very slowly. Within the first 20–25 minutes, it seems that the story is dragging. The real revelations come in the last 40–45 minutes, but by then the patience of many viewers may be wearing thin.
People will call it a masterpiece, but the truth is that the biggest weakness of the film is its length. If it had been condensed into one and a half or two and a half hours, the impact could have been much stronger. The long stretch of the beginning may force many viewers to stop the film midway.
However, the performances are the film’s biggest strength. Rahul Bhat has probably given the best performance of his career. His intensity, body language and ability to immerse himself in the character is praiseworthy. Sunny Leone’s role is limited, but her presence adds a different layer to the story. Also Mohit Takalkar and Abhilasha Thapliyal have also done solid work.
Overall, Kennedy is a decent film with strong performances, but with limited appeal due to uneven pacing. Fans of Anurag Kashyap’s cinema will definitely appreciate it, but this film is not for everyone.
Sunny Leone & Rahul Bhat Shine in Anurag Kashyap’s Gritty Crime Drama
