Daddy

Arjun Rampal's "Daddy" attempts to chronicle the rise of a complex underworld figure against the backdrop of Mumbai's economic decline, and while the ambition is commendable, the execution falters under the weight of its own sprawl. The film's first half shows promise—the period setting of the 1960s-70s textile mill closures provides genuine historical grounding, and there are moments where the socio-economic desperation that drives men toward crime feels palpable. Rampal himself brings a certain intensity to Arun Gawli, capturing the transformation from desperate youth to hardened criminal with occasional flashes of conviction. However, the narrative becomes increasingly muddled as it progresses, struggling to balance the romance with Zubeida, the mentor-betrayal arc with Maqsood Bhai, and the eventual political ascension into a coherent whole.

What ultimately undermines "Daddy" is director Ashim Ahluwalia's inability to tighten the storytelling and create meaningful emotional stakes. The supporting performances, particularly from Farhan Akhtar and Tabu, feel underutilized despite their efforts, while the film's attempt to explore Gawli's internal conflict between ambition and morality never quite crystallizes into something profound. The police investigation subplot, with Rajat Kapoor's cop character, adds another narrative thread without adding significant thematic depth. While the film deserves credit for tackling a lesser-known true story with visual flair and refusing