Te3n

The good: The movie, as the credits indicate, is derived at least partly from the Korean movie "Montage". The story is quite suspenseful and the director does a good job juggling between various interweaving stories and time periods. Performances from the lead actors are solid and little to fault there. The negatives: My main gripe with the movie is that it contains several idle moments which do not seem to serve much purpose to either the development of the plot or characters or the overall experience. Overall verdict: Otherwise, the script is solid and the movie is well worth a watch. It also continues the gradually building list of quality Hindi whodunits with West Bengal (more specifically Kolkata) as the backdrop after Kahaani and Byomkesh Bakshi. I would also recommend Baishe Srabon, an excellent thriller in Bengali language, for whodunit fans

This movie is the official remake of Korean movie montage

"Te3n," directed by Ribhu Dasgupta and released in 2016, is an Indian thriller that masterfully weaves a tale of grief, justice, and the relentless pursuit of closure. Inspired by the South Korean film "Montage," this gripping narrative takes viewers on an emotional journey that lingers long after the credits roll.

The film stars Amitabh Bachchan as John Biswas, a frail yet determined grandfather whose life has been overshadowed by the tragic kidnapping of his granddaughter, Angela, several years prior. Despite the passage of time, John remains haunted by the loss, finding solace in his daily routine of searching for answers while navigating the complexities of his grief. His performance is nothing short of magnificent, evoking a profound sense of sorrow and resilience that resonates deeply.

Supporting him in this heartfelt quest are Vidya Balan as a determined and compassionate police officer, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui as a cynical yet deeply invested investigator. Each character brings unique qualities to the story, with their performances adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Vidya Balan effectively portrays the balance between professionalism and personal investment, while Nawazuddin Siddiqui showcases a character grappling with his own demons, making for a compelling dynamic among the trio.

The storytelling in "Te3n" is nuanced and intricately plotted, gradually unfolding its layers of mystery. The film expertly keeps the audience guessing with its clever twists and turns. As John navigates the labyrinth of the criminal justice system, the movie not only captures his determination but also delves into the broader themes of parental love, loss, and the moral dilemmas surrounding vengeance and justice.

One of the standout features of "Te3n" is its atmospheric cinematography by Tushar Kanti Ray. The film captures the bustling streets of Kolkata, enhancing the story's depth and visually representing the grit and emotion of urban life. The sound design and score further elevate the tension, skillfully intertwining with the narrative to create an immersive viewing experience.

What sets "Te3n" apart is not just its engaging plot but its exploration of deeper psychological themes. It questions the nature of justice and the lengths one is willing to go to find closure. As John becomes increasingly desperate, his actions raise moral questions that resonate throughout the film, prompting viewers to reflect on their own definitions of justice and forgiveness.

While "Te3n" may not have garnered widespread acclaim upon its release, it deserves recognition as a poignant and thought-provoking film. The script's depth, combined with strong performances and expert direction, makes it a compelling watch for those who appreciate character-driven narratives and thrillers that offer more than mere entertainment.

"Te3n" is a gripping and heartfelt thriller that crafts a poignant story about a grandfather's relentless search for truth amidst unbearable loss. Its exploration of human emotions and moral dilemmas elevates it above conventional crime films, asserting its place as a memorable piece of cinema. For anyone searching for a film that will not only keep them on the edge of their seats but also touch their hearts, "Te3n" is undoubtedly worth a watch.

4 reasons we are watching this - Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vidya Balan and finally this is the Hindi remake of only one of the best Korean non-derivative thrillers in recent years called Montage that not many people even know about. If you have seen Hindi remakes you would know they can often surprise you with a new spin on familiar proceedings. We already know how everything would pan out but we were still kept spellbound.

It is impossible to write a synopsis without unintentionally dropping a spoiler, so I am going to keep it very simple. This is a story about a grandfather (Amitabh Bachchan), a priest (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and a police officer (Vidya Balan) coming together to solve a case of a kidnapped child.

Montage (2013) was one helluva movie. It plays with an overly familiar premise of a kidnapped child but it weaves such an inventive spin on the genre that it rises up like a phoenix from the ashes. The emotional weight coupled with the gripping narrative and a superb sleight-of-hand play with fractured timelines transcends way above derivative thrillers that barely register a blimp on your consciousness. It is a film that one can't quite conveniently pigeonhole into the usual boxes. This is ripe for a remake.

I know both of us, while being kept spellbound, were unconsciously comparing both versions. After it ended our conversations eddied around different aspects of both versions. In fact, we will be re-watching Montage this evening. That is how much we love the incredible story. Both have their pluses and minuses, and it is such an interesting activity to see the different trajectories taken by two different types of world cinema.

One of the major nitpicks we have with Te3n is the lumbering pace in the first half hour. What should have been a relentless ride nearly dissolves into weepy melodrama. Montage never once had this issue because it has a superb sense of urgency with the statute of limitations for the unsolved case running out. The director, Ribhu Dasgupta, should have trusted the acuity of the audience to join the dots, but it was just content to cement the fact that Bachchan's John and Siddiqui's Martin are empty shells of a man because of the devastating incident 8 years ago. These are not ordinary actors - when Amitabh Bachchan says he is sad, we know in our very bones he is earth-shatteringly overwhelmed with sadness. There is no need to give us half an hour of him moping around. I don't mean to say I was bored looking at him because I absolutely wasn't; there are not many actors out there I would pay to watch them do nothing and with little soliloquy like Bachchan and Siddiqui. Bachchan and Siddiqui are just magnetic to watch.

Compared to the Korean original, the ending feels a little blotched and IMHO doesn't quite reach the same zenith set by Montage (we are watching again just to find out if we are right). I recalled the final wordless scene in the Korean film that really hit me in the gut and I failed to hold back a torrent of tears from streaming down my face. That scene seals up everything so marvellously. Te3n could have used the same scene. However, kudos still to a superbly made film that uses the city of Kolkata so well; it feels like it is the 4th major character of the film. Even though I knew the outcome of the story and remembered every twist and turn, Te3n still manages to surprise me with its intensity and its commitment to tell a good story. This is the type of story that has so many moving parts that one wrong turn it would fail, but it doesn't. If you choose to look closely you probably will see loopholes but you won't want to because the story has so much verve. This is easily one of the best films I have seen this year.

I watch mostly International films and series, with favorites being Indian and South Korean. So I'm a bit biased toward them, but I'm rarely disappointed either. This one works just fine because of always wonderful Amitabh Bachchan and his supporting cast. It's a bit predictable but still interesting with just the right edge of suspense and satisfying resolution. The music is also good with some effective touches in the second half. I enjoyed this one for a Saturday afternoon break.