MELBOURNE, 8 November 2024: Seniors are often chided when they behave or act normally. But many seniors are determined to make a mark like anyone. They are humans too, with happiness and sorrows. In fact, in Basu Chatterjee’s 1981 movie ‘Shakueen’, Ashok Kumar, Utpal Dutt and A. K. Hangal, three lecherous seniors go to Goa and try their luck leading to hilarious situations. It was a rare light adult comedy, the defining thing being that the three fellows were seniors. Vijay69, also deals with a senior, but here there is one fellow determined to succeed in a Triathlon, despite his age.
In Vijay69, Anupam Kher (Vijay Mathew) is a 69 years old widower, a retired swimming coach grappling with the contradictions of being a senior. Around his life are friends, daughter and son-in-law and a society which has doubts about an old man’s enthusiasm. The movie starts of with a rather unusual situation with Vijay’s funeral mass in a church with an empty coffin. He turns up alive there leading to a hilarious commotion.
The ambitious Vijay gets interested to participate in a Triathlon (multisport race consisting of swimming, cycling, and running) and struggles through the sports bureaucracy to get permission despite his age. He is desisted by his daughter and others around. His plea is rejected and the young chap who inspires him is selected. On the Triathlon day, a situation arises and he is allowed to participate. This is Vijay (Victory) for the 69 years old Vijay Mathew.
A lot in the quirky movie will make you laugh with the director skilfully weaving the narrative in a light way. The message of a senior being an equal opportunity human is conveyed. The use of the Asha Bhosale sung song ‘ Aage bhi Jaane na tu…’ from B. R. Chopra’s 1965 hit movie ‘Waqt’, as an inspiration song is impressive.
The direction is good. No doubt, this is Anupam Kher’s film. He once again proves his acting talent. The weakest point in the movie is when at the last moment Vijay is allowed to participate in the Triathlon. Things do happen and it happens here.
This movie is a potpourri of humour, emotions, society attitudes, and determination. It gives confidence.
“We all have the right to live with dignity and respect regardless of age. Human rights are the rights all people are entitled to because they are human beings. When these rights are respected people can live with equality and free from discrimination. This equality does not change with age,” says Seniors Rights Victoria.
The movie started streaming on Netflix from 8 November, 2024.
