Sector 36 Review: Vikrant Massey starrer film is harrowing and taut

Sector 36

Director: Aditya Nimbalkar

Cast: Vikrant Massey, Deepak Dobriyal, Darshan Jariwala, Akash Khurana and Baharul Islam

Streaming on: Netflix

Rating: ***1/2

By Jyothi Venkatesh

Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal are ready to mesmerise audiences with their fresh and gripping roles in the upcoming crime thriller, which premiered on Netflix on September 13. Directed by Aditya Nimbalkar in his debut, the film Sector 36 is inspired by true events. However, let me warn you well in advance that though not for everyone, Sector 36 is more than a stark reminder of the real-life horrors that can lurk beneath ordinary facades. It is a gripping crime thriller, loosely inspired by the Nithari serial killings of Noida (2005)

Sector 36 is a fictional story Inspired by true events, where several children go missing from a basti (slum) in Sector 36. A determined police officer must now face off with a cunning serial killer as a chilling investigation and dark secrets unfold.

The film sets out to revolve around Prem Singh, played by Vikrant Massey, who, believe it or not, is a paedophile, murderer, and at the root of it all is childhood trauma. The story revolves around the mysterious disappearance of several children from a local slum, pushing a dedicated police officer to uncover a disturbing truth in a series of shocking events.

Produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, in collaboration with Jio Studios Sector 36 which is a true documentation of the ghastly murders of children in Noida popularly known as Nithari Killings delves into themes of power, crime, and social inequality, as the officer faces off against a ruthless serial killer in a chilling investigation that exposes hidden secrets. All said and done, I should say that this film is indeed a thrilling ride.

As far as the performances are concerned, Vikrant Massey stands out with a restrained performance, in a negative role, confidently portraying Prem, although at times you feel as if he falls short of delivering the full intensity. On the other hand, Deepak Dobriyal excels as the gritty cop, Ram Charan Pandey, bringing depth to his role as a man determined to uncover the truth despite numerous obstacles, making you yearn to see the gifted actor more often on the screen, whether big or small. Swaying from being a corrupt cop initially, his portrayal of a vulnerable yet resolute law enforcer adds a layer of raw realism to the film. Akash Khurana as Prem’s master Balbir Bassi and Darshan Jariwala as DCP Rastogi provide cool adequate support.