Footpath is a scintillating crime thriller that brings the subject of loyalty, deceit and moral grayness. It is a tale of a man Arjun who made a vow to kill his father as a boy and this decision leads him to a tortuous road. As an adult, he does not find justice with the help of his friends Shekhar and Raghu who are criminal dons, but he undergoes training as an undercover police officer. The fact that they are connected by their history and shared emotional core is what shapes their mood in a complicated way, particularly in the context of Arjun grappling with his duality. The movie does a great job of portraying the contrast between friendship and duty which puts the audience into a dark underworld of danger and betrayal.
The movie is very strong in terms of its strong characters and dramatic performances. Arjun is conflicted with himself, wanting to stay loyal to his friends and at the same time fulfill his mandate as an undercover policeman. The love between Arjun and Sanjana gives it an emotional value to emphasize the individual interests in the confusion. The direction is used through dark and shadowy images and a melancholic music that increases the tension and reinforces the tense mood in the movie. The cinematography and production design give a rich depiction of the gangland in Pune giving the audience a rich and gritty experience that immerses them into the depth of its harsh reality.
In spite of the merits, “Footpath” also has the cases when the walk is not even at a certain moment, and some of the dialogs are on the border of melodrama. However, it was the emotional aspect of the story: trust, betrayal, and sacrifice, that made a strong impression on me. Morality as discussed in the film under the corrupt world prompted me to consider the real price of loyalty and justice. On the whole, it is an effective, emotionally touching movie that can make the viewers think about the gray sides of human nature and the sacrifices made in the name of higher good.
