Te3n (2016)

English translation: Three

Director: Ribhu Dasgupta

Story: Suresh Nai, Ritesh Shah, Bijesh Jayarajan

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Music: Clinton Cerejo

Time: 136 minutes

Bottom-line: Well-crafted suspense thriller

Having seen Big B in Pink, my friend suggested I watch another of his wonderful recent solo performances: that of John Biswas in Te3n. Co-starring Vidya Balan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, this is the story of how one man traces the kidnapper of his granddaughter…eight tears after the incident.

A priest seeking redemption; a police officer seeking justice; a grandfather seeking answers…

John Biswas (Bachchan) is a 70-year-old man who visits the police station regularly, desperate to find the kidnapper and murderer of his eight-year-old granddaughter Angela, eight years ago. Police inspector Sarita (Balan) wants to help him but is clueless herself. Biswas however, continues to gather his own evidence carries out an investigation. John approaches Father Martin (Siddiqui) for help; he was the inspector in charge of Angela’s case. Disappointed at not having solved it, he converted to a priest. Things take a turn when another boy, Ronnie, is kidnapped, and the modus operandi for this is exact in every way to the Angela case. Determined to catch the criminal this time, Sarita puts her full enthusiasm in the investigation, compelling Martin to help. Will they find the kidnapper who caused so much misery for 8 long years?

 

Big B as John

While Big B has enough experience in his career to play any sort of role, he seems most convincing as that on an old man, be it in Black, Piku, Pink or Te3n. Playing a man stuck in the oblivion of his own troubles, I like the way he is shown fighting a lone battle; listening to the tapes over and over, making a big issue out of every iota of a clue, the determination to catch the criminal… and the best part is he shocks you even more in the last twenty minutes of the film. Nawazuddin Siddiqui – even in Kahaani– seems to have a special ability to play a role of a cop. Despite his “disguise” as a priest, the way he renders his lines and his body language are quite authentic as to how an officer would do so. Vidya Balan doesn’t exactly play an action heroine, but I like the power she brings to her role as Sarita. Whether her theories are right or wrong, she certainly puts forth compelling arguments.

 

Siddiqui as Father Martin

The story’s climax was certainly unexpected for me. While it ties up all loose ends, it may seem like an over-complicated plot. To tell why would let out spoilers, but whether or not such a complex scheme is well thought out is up to the viewer to decide. A keen watch is certainly required to spot out all the hints; the narrative structure is deliberately confusing. However, there is no unnecessary drama, no fight scenes or such; in that aspect it is quite clean and crisp.

 

Balan as Sarita

While the plot might seem convoluted, it is certainly entertaining. Amitabh Bachchan is superb as John, and Siddiqui and Balan have aptly supported him. Join Big B as he goes on a quest to find the kidnapper, in this crime thriller.

My Rating: 3.5/5