When I sat down to watch ‘The Unbreakable Agastya (Chapter 1)’, I expected it to have a typical story, whose plot I would probably be able to predict without watching. Seeing the movie theatre a bit deserted, I figured the movie may not be that spectacular. Surprisingly, it concluded on such a high note that I found myself leaning forward in disbelief.

The beginning of ‘Agastya’ is pretty slow, with frankly too many shots in slow motion. Despite this, the cinematography shone from the beginning to the end. The shots were well taken and quite impressive compared to the usual cinematography in Nepali movies.

The movie opens with Nisan (Najir Husein), who is a cop, beating the bad guys in what looks like a brick factory. We quickly realise that he’s looking for his co-worker Saurya (Saugat Malla) there.

Saugat Malla’s performance redeems the sluggish start of the movie. His portrayal of a homeless man with a troubled past is compelling and painful to watch. His eyes do all the talking as his character doesn’t speak much in the beginning. Malla, who consistently delivers his best, reaches new heights in this film, delivering one of the finest performances by a Nepali actor that I've witnessed.

Instead of slowly trying to develop the story with numerous slow-motion shots, it would have been more effective to invest that time in establishing the characters. By the interval, the movie lacked engagement, and a guy sitting next to me pulled out his phone and began playing Candy Crush.

However, the latter half of the film is more interesting, revealing multiple layers, all interlinked and unfolding in unexpected ways. Initially, it seems the story is headed in one direction, drawing parallels between Saurya’s plight and Sanjay Singhania from ‘Gajini’, mourning the loss of his loved one, Chadini (Malika Mahat). Yet, the narrative takes a surprising U-turn.

The movie lays bare Saurya’s true motive, revealing he is not a lunatic, but rather on a crucial mission. Initially, the many sub-plots overshadow the main plot, but everything falls into place towards the end. The interconnected sub-plots converge into a cohesive main plot, catching the audience off guard with a surprise.

Pramod Agrahari, who plays the antagonist Tripathi, adds further charm to the film. His voice perfectly complements his character—deep and coarse. Tripathi, a criminal involved in murders and smuggling underage girls into India, becomes the focus when Nisan and Saurya discover the disappearance of underage girls from a particular village. The duo discreetly infiltrates the area, posing as ordinary people, to keep a close eye on Tripathi.

Tripathi is initially a suspect, not a confirmed criminal. Nisan cleverly infiltrates Tripathi’s trust by posing as a servant and closely monitoring his actions. Chadini, a doctor, joins the mission, pretending to be Saurya’s wife, and they adopt a cover by residing in the village. However, a notable flaw in Chadini’s heroic act arises—how can a doctor suddenly afford to take time off work to assist a couple of police officers? In reality, it seems implausible.

Furthermore, when Tripathi discovers their presence and captures Nisan, the logical move from Saurya would have been to call for additional backup. Instead, he rashly enters the compound alone, risking his life and the lives of his colleagues. Despite their escape, the sequence is marred by inconsistencies, as Tripathi, armed with a collection of guns, opts to engage in hand-to-hand combat.

Despite these loopholes and a few dubbing issues, the film excels in portraying sinister human intentions and the theme of friendship. The action scenes are skillfully shot and edited, even for someone not particularly fond of action movies. Husein, portraying Nisan, convincingly embodies the role of a police officer, evident in the compelling opening action scene.

The film’s background music adds to the overall experience, effectively creating tension and escalating the suspense in tandem with the narrative.

The filmmakers showed immense confidence in their project, trusting that the audience would catch up by the end. This certainty led to a deliberate slow build-up, followed by a significant increase in pace, leaving us eagerly anticipating part two.

‘Agastya’ isn’t your average Nepali movie and an average action film. It is much more than that. The movie has momentum and a compelling “what happens next” element, complemented by excellent cinematography and life-like acting.

The Unbreakable Agastya (Chapter 1)

Director: Saaurav Chaudhary

Cast: Saugat Malla, Najir Husen, Malika Mahat

Year: 2024

Language: Nepali

Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes

Now showing in theatres