Visica Films, FMD Productions and Humara Movie’s September 21 is a film about Alzheimer’s disease.
Raj Kumar (Pravin Singh Sisodia) is 60 years old and has been suffering from cognitive decline over the past two years. His condition is deteriorating and irreversible. Although he has a caretaker, a caring doctor and a companion to look after him, Raj slips into depression. He has memory loss and delusions. Meanwhile, his son, Kiran (Ricky Rudra) is settled in the US, busy with an important product launch. The doctor urges institutional care, which is when Kiran realises that his father’s condition is not based on the ordinary and usual aging problems. Kiran has now to choose between his career and responsibility.
Raj Shekhar’s story is well-intentioned but it does not have the steam to sustain the audience’s interest for long because it is depressing. His screenplay moves on a single track and, therefore, becomes boring after a point of time. It is also repetitive. For instance, the doctor visiting Raj Kumar again and again makes for boring viewing. The drama is more of the kind which would appeal to the festival circuit audience. Bhupendra Kumar Nandan and Vinay Sandilya’s dialogues are ordinary.
Pravin Singh Sisodia does fairly well as Raj Kumar. Priyanka Upendra acts ably as Kamala. Zarina Wahab is natural as Sudha. Ajit Shidhaye makes his presence felt in the role of Dr. Deepak. Amit Behl has his moments as Samuel. Ricky Rudra performs decently as Kiran. Sachin Patekar is alright as Muniandi. Vinnie (as Anita), Yuvin (as Venu), Umesh Sakkarenadu (as Kumar), Jayalaxmi Mulki (as Paati), Ankita Jayaram (as Maya) and the others lend average support.
Karen Kshiti Suvarna’s direction is fair. Vinay Chandra’s music is functional. Shashwath Sanil’s lyrics are alright. Vinay Chandra’s background music should’ve been more impactful. Anil Kumar K.’s cinematography is so-so. Purshotama and Manjunath’s art direction is okay. Nikhil Kadam’s editing ought to have been sharper.
On the whole, September 21 is too dry and drab to appeal to the audience of commercial cinema. It will be a non-starter.
Released on 22-5-’26 at Glamour (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru First Film Studios. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.