Despatch is an upcoming Hindi-language crime drama film directed by Kanu Behl and produced by Ronnie Screwvala under RSVP Movies. The film features Manoj Bajpayee and Shahana Goswami in lead roles. Scheduled to release on December 13, 2024, on ZEE5, Despatch was also showcased as a special presentation at the International Film Festival of India and the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
As news increasingly moves online, veteran crime journalist Joy faces the threat of becoming irrelevant. Determined to uncover his next big story while managing the challenges of his personal life, Joy embarks on a relentless quest through the heart of Mumbai, exposing its darkest secrets.
Despatch Movie Release Date
The film premiered at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and was later showcased at the International Film Festival of India in Goa, earning acclaim for its storytelling and performances. The official teaser was released in November 2022, followed by the trailer on December 3, 2024. Reviewing the trailer, Shreshtha Chaudhury of Koimoi praised Manoj Bajpayee’s performance, calling him the show-stealer.
Despatch Movie Cast Details
- Manoj Bajpayee as Joy Bag
- Shahana Goswami as Shweta Bag
- Arrchita Agarwaal as Prerna Prakash
- Anand Alkunte as S.I. Bhonsle
- Riju Bajaj as Tarun Khaitan
- Purnendu Bhattacharya as Mallick
- Prithvik Pratap as Jeethu Vishwas
- Veena Mehta as Joy’s Mother
- Ajay Purkar as Prasad
- Purnima Rathod as Mrs. Verma
- Parvati Sehgal as Varsha Rajput
- Rituparna Sen (credited as Rii Sen) as Noori Rai
- Mamik Singh as Silva
Despatch Movie Crew Details
- Directed by: Kanu Behl
- Written by: Kanu Behl, Ishani Banerjee, Vipin Agnihotri
- Produced by: Ronnie Screwvala
- Starring: Manoj Bajpayee, Shahana Goswami
- Cinematography: Siddharth Diwan
- Edited by: Samarth Dixit
- Production Company: RSVP Movies
- Distributed by: ZEE5
Despatch Movie Review
The story follows Joy (Manoj Bajpayee), a frail, middle-aged print journalist desperately chasing a front-page breaking story in an era dominated by digital news. Despite his name, there’s little that’s joyful about his life. He struggles with an unhappy marriage to his wife, Shweta (Shahana Goswami), and often stays away from home for days. In one uncomfortable scene, he is shown making love in a car with his junior colleague, Varsha (Parvati Sehgal). Joy’s character is loosely inspired by the late journalist Jyotirmoy Dey, whose life was more dramatically explored in Hansal Mehta’s web series Scoop.
Here, the narrative leans towards the existential. The focus is more on the absurdity of Joy’s investigative journey rather than a heroic pursuit of justice or a compelling exposé. He is not driven by the classic journalistic zeal to uncover a scam for the greater good, nor does the filmmaking evoke a sense of urgency around his quest. There are no surprising twists or moments of redemption, and the breaking news never arrives. Instead, Joy’s fate takes a dark turn, culminating in physical and emotional setbacks, including a broken nose. This restrained, meditative approach is characteristic of director Kanu Behl.
With his previous film Agra, Behl explored the harsh realities of young, hormonal men in North India. His storytelling is marked by a raw, unflinching style that leaves a lasting, often unsettling impact. Behl avoids creating smooth cinematic experiences, opting instead to jolt the audience with stark realism. His debut, Titli (2014), contained disturbingly violent moments where characters inflicted harm without hesitation. Despatch, however, is less provocative and audacious than his earlier work. It unfolds at a measured pace, with drawn-out scenes and an investigative thriller framework that subverts traditional genre expectations.
Despatch Movie Screenshots
Despatch Movie Trailer
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Despatch Movie Highlights
1. Manoj Bajpayee’s Stellar Performance
Manoj Bajpayee delivers a deeply nuanced portrayal of Joy, a broken journalist grappling with professional and personal challenges. His ability to convey despair, determination, and moral ambiguity makes him the standout feature of the film.
2. Unique Take on Crime Journalism
The film offers a gritty, realistic depiction of the world of print journalism, exploring its struggles in a digital age. It delves into the value of information and the moral dilemmas faced by journalists.
3. Existential Undertones
Unlike traditional investigative thrillers, Despatch focuses on the futility and absurdity of Joy’s quest, making it more about the character’s internal conflict than the external stakes.
4. Kanu Behl’s Raw Storytelling
Known for his unflinching narratives, Kanu Behl brings a matter-of-fact approach to storytelling that feels unsettling and thought-provoking. The film avoids cinematic clichés, favoring a more grounded and introspective tone.
5. Atmospheric Cinematography
Siddharth Diwan’s cinematography captures the dark, chaotic underbelly of Mumbai with an immersive visual style that complements the film’s somber and tense mood.
6. A Slow-Burn Narrative
The movie breaks away from conventional thriller pacing, offering a deliberately slow and reflective approach that challenges audience expectations.
7. Themes of Isolation and Desperation
Joy’s personal life mirrors his professional struggles, with the film exploring themes of alienation, ethical compromise, and the lengths one goes to for relevance.
8. Layered Supporting Characters
Characters like Shweta (Shahana Goswami) and Varsha (Parvati Sehgal) add depth to Joy’s narrative, highlighting his strained relationships and moral struggles.
9. Subversion of Genre Expectations
While set up as an investigative thriller, the film avoids dramatic revelations or last-minute heroics, making it more about the character’s journey than the resolution.
10. Festival Acclaim
Premiering at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and the International Film Festival of India, Despatch earned praise for its storytelling, performances, and unconventional approach.
Despatch Movie FAQs
Q. What is Despatch about?
A. Despatch follows Joy, a middle-aged crime journalist struggling to stay relevant in a digital age. The film explores his existential journey as he navigates personal turmoil and embarks on a desperate quest to uncover a major story.
Q. Who directed Despatch?
A. The film is directed by Kanu Behl, known for his critically acclaimed films Titli and Agra.
Q. Who stars in the lead roles?
A. Manoj Bajpayee plays the lead role of Joy Bag, with Shahana Goswami as his wife, Shweta Bag. The cast also includes Parvati Sehgal, Riju Bajaj, and Rituparna Sen.
Q. Is the film based on a true story?
A. While not directly based on a specific event, Joy’s character is loosely inspired by the life of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey, whose murder highlighted the dangers of crime reporting.
Q. What genre is Despatch?
A. The film is an existential drama with elements of an investigative thriller, though it subverts traditional genre expectations by focusing more on the protagonist’s internal struggles.
