Read the Indian movie review of Stolen (2023), a gripping Hindi thriller starring Abhishek Banerjee. A powerful, minimalist film about kidnapping, class divide, and social injustice.
Stolen (2023) – Indian Movie Review
BMR Rating: ⭐ 7.8/10
Genre: Thriller / Crime / Drama
Language: Hindi
Director: Karan Tejpal
Cast: Abhishek Banerjee, Shubham, Mia Maelzer
Runtime: 94 minutes
Platform: Film premiered at Venice Film Festival 2023
🎬 Introduction
Stolen (2023) is a gripping Hindi-language indie thriller directed by Karan Tejpal that made its global premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. Produced by Gaurav Dhingra under Jungle Book Studio, the film deviates from the usual Bollywood formula and dives deep into a nerve-wracking, real-world-inspired crime scenario.
Led by an outstanding performance from Abhishek Banerjee, Stolen is a stark, minimalist thriller that keeps the audience emotionally unsettled while quietly addressing issues of human trafficking, class divide, and moral apathy in modern India.
🧨 Plot Summary
Set against the dry, sun-scorched backdrop of a remote railway station in rural India, Stolen begins with two urban brothers, Gautam (Abhishek Banerjee) and his younger brother Gaurav (Shubham), waiting for a delayed train. Their casual banter is interrupted by a heart-wrenching incident—a young tribal mother named Jhumpa (Mia Maelzer) screams that her baby has been kidnapped.
As panic spreads, suspicion falls on a man seen fleeing the area. Gautam, initially reluctant to get involved, gradually finds himself pulled into the chaos. What starts as a simple wait for a train slowly morphs into a deeply psychological and moral reckoning. The brothers are forced to confront not only the crime in front of them but also their own complicity and biases in a fractured social system.
🎭 Performances
Abhishek Banerjee delivers a career-defining performance as Gautam. Known mostly for his comedic and supporting roles (Paatal Lok, Stree), Banerjee surprises with restrained intensity and vulnerability. His portrayal of an upper-class man confronting real pain and systemic injustice is deeply human and unsettling.
Shubham, who plays the younger brother, provides an effective foil. His brash, impatient energy contrasts well with Gautam’s measured demeanor.
Mia Maelzer as Jhumpa is raw and heartbreaking. With minimal dialogue, she conveys fear, desperation, and defiance. Her presence is central to the film’s emotional weight.
🎥 Direction & Writing
Director Karan Tejpal crafts Stolen like a slow-burning stage play. The limited setting, sparse dialogue, and minimalist cinematography serve to isolate the audience in the same moral limbo as the characters.
The screenplay (also by Tejpal) is subtle but impactful, allowing the visuals and silences to speak louder than exposition-heavy dialogues. The pacing is intentionally slow, drawing the viewer into the mental unraveling of the characters. While some may find this sluggish, others will appreciate the atmospheric tension it creates.
🎞️ Cinematography & Editing
António Rui Ribeiro’s cinematography is minimalist yet poetic. The stark landscape, empty railway station, and dusty plains become metaphors for abandonment—not just of a child, but of conscience and justice.
The film uses long takes and close-ups effectively, making the audience feel trapped in the same moral fog as the characters. The editing by Aarti Bajaj maintains a deliberate rhythm, giving the film a meditative quality despite its intense subject.
🎵 Sound & Music
The score is minimal and ambient, sometimes non-existent—heightening the film’s raw realism. Diegetic sounds like train horns, wind, and footsteps are used masterfully to build suspense.
This sonic restraint is deliberate and effective; Stolen doesn’t want to entertain—it wants to disturb and provoke thought.
🧠 Themes & Social Commentary
At its core, Stolen is not just about the kidnapping of a child. It’s a sharp commentary on social invisibility, apathy of privilege, and institutional failure. The film explores how people of power or urban privilege often choose silence or detachment when it comes to rural suffering or marginalized communities.
It also raises hard-hitting questions: Who is truly responsible when a crime like this happens? Is inaction a crime? What does justice look like for the powerless?
Without preaching or resorting to melodrama, Stolen shows the layers of social rot and the helplessness that often comes with it.
✅ Verdict
Stolen (2023) is a hauntingly powerful Indian thriller that delivers both emotional depth and social insight. It’s a must-watch for fans of serious cinema, and especially for those looking for stories grounded in the darker, neglected corners of Indian reality.
While the slow pace and minimalist design may not appeal to every viewer, those who appreciate thought-provoking, atmospheric storytelling will find Stolen to be an unforgettable experience.
It’s a rare Indian film that combines strong performances, meaningful themes, and international festival-worthy filmmaking in under 100 minutes.