Lost review: A thought-provoking investigation of society

In Lost, when a theater activist goes missing, a journalist, Vidhi, leaves no stone unturned in her search for truth. Her investigation changes the way she perceives the world. The film is now streaming on ZEE5 Global.

Story

When Ishan, a theatre activist, disregards the warnings of a powerful politician to stay away from the woman he loves, he suddenly goes missing. Instead of looking for him, the police harass his family, claiming that Ishan has absconded and joined a Maoist group.

Vidhi is a journalist who does not believe the claims made by the police. She is determined to help Ishan’s family and find the truth about what happened to him.

However, Vidhi’s journey is not an easy one, as she, along with her grandfather, receives several threats and loses the support of the people who are close to her.

In her search for truth, Vidhi faces moral dilemmas that make her question her duty. As she gets closer to the truth, the layers of society are also peeled back, making Vidhi see it in a new light.

Performances

In a film that heavily relies on its protagonist, Yami Gautam Dhar as Vidhi does not disappoint. She comes across as a persistent journalist who will stop at nothing, but she also exudes fear when the script demands it. As the plot progresses, the audience can see her growing frustration and desperation.

Pankaj Kapur, who plays Vidhi’s grandfather, is a delight on-screen. He accurately depicts a retired professor who holds his principles dear and never wavers from the path of righteousness. The audience will find themselves looking forward to his anecdotes and advice every time he is on screen.

While Neil Bhoopalam, who plays Jeet, gives an adequate performance, Rahul Khanna, as Ranjan Varman, and Pia Bajpiee, as Ankita, leave much to be desired.

Positives

The cinematography, the direction, and the music work well to establish the mood and the setting. There is a constant sense of unease that follows the protagonist as she delves deeper into the case, but there is also warmth when she is with her grandfather and human companionship when she meets people she sympathizes with during her investigation.

The film explores several social issues along with the missing case. The issue of women’s autonomy within the confines of marriage in India is one of them. The film does not instruct the audience but simply reveals the prevalent problems through Namita’s story.

There is another interesting female character, Ankita, who has to make morally ambiguous choices to advance in her career. The film never passes judgment regarding her choices; it leaves it to the viewers after presenting all sides of the story.

Additionally, the film raises important questions about the role of the police, politics, and morality in society. However, the central question that makes the audience think is about journalistic integrity and the role of journalists when the truth and what is right are not in tandem. 

Negatives

Towards the end, the film that had been depicting reality as it is loses its touch. A convenient happy ending for Vidhi, who suddenly gains everyone’s support, serves as a reminder to the audience that this is, in fact, fiction.

As a thriller, the film is not devoid of plot holes. There are no explanations given for certain plot devices that leave the audience with a number of unanswered questions.

Verdict

Lost is a film that asks all the right questions and aims to depict journalistic values that society no longer considers practical. The audience should watch this film because it will make them think; it is a film much needed and suitable for our time.

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