On 13th September, Netflix released a film titled Sector 36, starring popular actors like Vikrant Massey, Deepak Dobriyal, Darshan Jariwala, and Akash Khurana. The film generated some buzz, given the star cast and its intriguing plot based on a true incident. However, despite the anticipation, many viewers, including myself, felt let down after watching the movie. Here’s a breakdown of the major flaws that affected the overall experience of Sector 36 and left the audience wanting more.
1. Confusing Plot and Unclear Historical Background
Sector 36 begins by informing viewers that the story takes place in Delhi, 2005. However, the film never clarifies what actual event it is based on. The makers give a disclaimer saying the movie is inspired by a true incident, but there is no clear mention of which one. This leaves the audience confused about the movie’s connection to real life.
Many viewers, including those familiar with the events of the time, noticed the similarity to the Nithari case of 2006, where Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Surendra Koli were accused of multiple child murders. The movie, however, never directly refers to this case, leaving it up to the audience to connect the dots. For a film based on such a serious and disturbing crime, it would have been better if the makers had clearly explained the incident they were portraying.
2. Vikrant Massey’s Role Deserved More Depth
Vikrant Massey, who plays the role of Prem in the movie, is seen as a stand-in for Surendra Koli, the servant involved in the Nithari case. Massey’s performance is praiseworthy, but his character lacks depth. The movie tries to show him as a ruthless, cold-blooded psycho, but at times, his portrayal of Prem feels inconsistent.
At certain moments, Vikrant’s character seems menacing and dangerous, while at other times, he comes off as timid or lost. There is an unevenness in his character development, which makes it hard for viewers to fully understand his motives or actions. Given that Vikrant Massey is a talented actor, more attention could have been given to his character arc, allowing him to fully embrace the role of the dangerous criminal he was meant to portray.
3. Rushed Storytelling and Unfinished Subplots
One of the biggest problems with Sector 36 is the rushed storytelling. The movie’s runtime is 2 hours and 4 minutes, but it feels like it was crammed with information that was difficult to absorb in such a short time. The story jumps from one plot point to another without giving viewers enough time to understand or process the events unfolding on screen.
Several important characters, including the one played by Deepak Dobriyal, simply vanish from the story with no explanation. The audience is left wondering what happened to these key figures and how their stories concluded. The lack of closure or explanation for various plot points makes the film feel incomplete.
The film would have benefited from a longer format, such as a web series with 4-5 episodes. This would have given the makers more time to explore each character and the intricacies of the case, allowing for a more satisfying experience for viewers.
4. Incomplete Ending That Leaves Questions Unanswered
By the end of the movie, viewers are left scratching their heads. The case presented in Sector 36 seems to have no proper resolution. There is no clarity on what happens to the accused or how the investigation concludes. The audience is left with more questions than answers, wondering what the actual outcome of the story was.
This incomplete ending further adds to the frustration, as viewers invest their time into the movie but are left feeling unsatisfied. Given that the film is based on a real-life incident, there should have been more effort put into showing the legal and personal consequences of the case, rather than simply cutting the story short.
5. Missed Opportunity for a Theatrical Release
One thing that stands out is that Sector 36 feels like a movie that should have been released in theatres rather than on Netflix. The film is clean, with no overly graphic content, making it suitable for a wide audience. A theatrical release could have given the makers a chance to gauge audience reactions and possibly make adjustments based on feedback.
Moreover, a web series format could have worked better for this particular story. Given the complex nature of the case it is based on, more screen time was needed to dive into the details and offer a more thorough narrative. Releasing it as a series on OTT platforms like Netflix would have allowed the filmmakers to build suspense and take their time with character development, something that was missing in the film.
Final Thoughts on Sector 36: What Went Wrong?
In summary, Sector 36 had all the right ingredients for a compelling crime thriller, including a strong cast and a real-life crime as the backbone of the plot. However, the execution fell short due to a rushed storyline, lack of clarity about the real incident, and incomplete character arcs.
The film would have greatly benefited from a longer format and a more in-depth exploration of its characters and the events they were involved in. While Sector 36 is watchable, especially for fans of crime dramas, it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of storytelling and overall impact.
