Movie – Kennedy Movie
Director: Anurag Kashyap.
Star Cast: Rahul Bhat, Sunny Leone, Megha Burman, Abhilash Thapliyal, Shrikant Yadav, and ensemble.
Available On: Zee5.
Runtime: 143 Minutes.
Rating: 3.5
When Anurag Kashyap is allowed to run wild with an idea, he doesn’t just push boundaries—he acts as if they never existed. In Kennedy, we see the filmmaker at his most organic: a storyteller who marinates sharp political commentary in a gritty, fictional sauce. It is a return to the “Ugly” era of Kashyap’s filmography, where the shadows are long and the moral compass is shattered.
Kennedy is a film of our immediate history, set against the backdrop of a pandemic-stricken city where the reputation of the police has hit an all-time low. The film opens with a nod to William Wordsworth’s Resolution & Independence, reflecting on how the wildness of youth often curdles into despondency and madness.
The protagonist, Uday Shetty (aka Kennedy), is a man who was once a reckless cop and is now a silent assassin. He is the “ghost” of the city, a man who lost his family to his own carelessness and now serves a system that eats hope for breakfast. The film is bold and politically brave, taking aim at the pandemic-era social pressures—like the “clapping and plate-banging” rituals—with a biting, satirical edge.
The film is anchored by Rahul Bhat, an actor whose potential is clearly realized in the Kashyap universe. His “dead stare” and minimal dialogue convey the profound pain of a father missing his children without ever sliding into melodrama. He holds the screen with a quiet intensity that keeps the dramatic stakes grounded.
In a surprising turn, Sunny Leone proves to be a perfect addition to the cast. Playing a woman who can only tolerate her uncomfortable reality while intoxicated, her drunken giggles serve as a haunting coping mechanism. While her character could have used more development, she brings a unique vulnerability to the screen. Supporting actors like Shrikant Yadav further elevate the “lived-in” feel of this dark world.
Technically, Kennedy is a triumph of atmosphere:
- Cinematography: DOP Sylvester Fonseca creates frames that are visceral and intense. Whether it’s a chase scene or an indoor confrontation, the world looks authentic and gritty.
- Music & Poetry: Aamir Aziz and Boyblanck deliver an album that feels perfectly “Kashyap.” The lyrics are potent and politically charged, questioning the system with the urgency of a protest.
- Direction: Kashyap jumps between timelines with precision, creating a city that feels haunted. It echoes the sentiment that in this city, even death doesn’t bring peace.
The film isn’t without its flaws. Kashyap’s indulgence occasionally leads to a convoluted screenplay. The structure focuses heavily on “The Night” of the central tragedy, but by the time we see the full flashback in the climax, the emotional impact is somewhat diluted. The finale, while attempting a subtle takedown of the system, can get lost in the preceding chaos.
