Spirit Media’s Last Man In Tower (UA), based on Aravind Adiga’s novel of the same name, is a story about ambition, morality, friendship and the dangerous lengths ordinary people can sometimes go to.
Masterji (Manoj Bajpai) is unwilling to vacate his flat in a dilapidated building. If he doesn’t vacate the flat, he will thwart the attempt of builder Dharmen Shah (Boman Irani) to build a tower in its place. Most of the society members have already agreed. Four dissenting members, including Masterji, are the thorns in the path of the builder. Slowly but surely, Masterji finds himself completely alienated because the other three members have also succumbed. What happens thereafter?
Aravind Adiga’s story is fairly interesting but it does not lend itself to a film. Sooni Taraporevala’s screenplay is interesting in parts only. Since the drama moves on a single track, it does get boring at several points. As several other society members are in urgent need of funds, it sometimes appears that Masterji is being unreasonable, which is not what the audience should feel. Besides, the reason for Masterji not agreeing to vacate the flat is so personal that it doesn’t win him sympathy. The climax is not very satisfying. Juhi Chaturvedi’s dialogues are impressive.
Manoj Bajpai is very good as Masterji. Divya Dutta performs wonderfully as Mrs. Puri. Boman Irani plays builder Dharmen Shah with effortless ease. Sukant Goel is so-so as Masterji’s son, Gaurav. Uday Chandra is alright as Mr. Pinto. Madhuri Bhatia lends average support as Mrs. Pinto. Srikant Yadav is okay as Shanmugham. Harish Khanna provides routine support as Kothari. Chandan Roy Sanyal plays Ramesh Ajwani with conviction. Ujjwal Chopra is ordinary as Mr. Puri. Swaroopa Ghosh does a routine job as Mrs. Rego. Others pass muster.
Ben Rekhi’s direction is average. He has not been able to make a heart-touching fare. Govind Vasantha’s music is nothing to dance about. Shellee’s lyrics are okay. Rangarajan Ramabadran’s cinematography is alright. Rakesh Kumar Yadav’s production designing is okay. Editing (by Meghan Manchanda Sen and Akshara Prabhakar) leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Last Man In Tower does not have commercial prospects.
Released on 11-9-’26 at Metro Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.