While Anil Kapoor performs better and has a larger role in this revenge saga, the real winner is the dessert, Thar! If at all you are planning to watch the film, it should be for the brilliant setting and Anil Kapoor’s versatility.

Thar, starring the father-son duo, Anil & Harshvardhan Kapoor, is a slow burn revenge story of a man who is out to kill to avenge his personal cause. The movie is set in 1985 in a remote village in the Thar dessert of Rajasthan. This setting is so wonderful to watch, that it almost becomes a character of the film itself. The cinematography captures it really well. The dessert and setting give the entire film a sepia tone adding more to the already present lonely and tensed elements of the film. Kudos to Shreya Dev Dubey for pulling this off.

In terms of the writing, the story fundamentally is very cliched if you see it as a whole. The reason why the protagonist is seeking revenge is kept poorly hidden till the last 15 minutes and is revealed very hurriedly only during the climax. And without giving any spoiler, the reason is very convenient and seems that it is written so as nothing better could be thought of. The dialogues are very poor and a lot of profanity is added just for the sake of it. Though, the Rajasthani lingo is blended in smoothly after every little while.

Coming to the performances, this film is an out and out Anil Kapoor show. He is an actor who has aged like old wine. His body language, dialogue delivery and also the way he has adapted the accent and lingo is commendable. Even in terms of screen time and space, he has a bigger role to play. Harshvardhan Kapoor is great with his serious silent face. Fatima Sana Shaikh, Jitendra Joshi and Satish Kaushik add commendable support and perform their bits very nicely.

On the whole, Thar is a great watch for all those who like watching artsy films. If you appreciate the details, cinematography, setting etc. more than character graphs, story, and a thrilling climax, then Thar is your cup of tea. If not, you’ll probably not enjoy the film as much. If you are an Anil Kapoor fan, you need not think twice.

You can watch the trailer here: