MUMBAI: In yet another attempt to recreate the magic of a foreign film, Bollywood brings us a remake of the 2015 Hollywood film The Networker, this time under the direction of Vikas Vishwakarma. But rather than adapting the original with fresh insight or cultural context, the film feels more like a half-hearted copy-paste job wrapped in flashy suits, fake companies, and even faker emotions.
The plot follows Aditya (Vikram Kochhar), a man whose MLM (multi-level marketing) empire collapses, dragging down with it his family’s money and the hopes of countless investors. Left in a desperate state, he teams up with his buddy Raghav (Rishabh Pathak) and seasoned scammer Lallan (Durgesh Kumar) to create a bigger, shinier lie: a fake AI robotics company that promises to revolutionise public services. With help from a con man turned 'Managing Director', Pradeep Biswas (Ishtiyak Khan), the trio collects a mind-boggling Rs 10,000 crore from hopeful investors. And then? They flee to Dubai.
The film wants to be a comedy-drama, but forgets the most essential parts of both—laughter and heart. While there are a few humorous moments, mostly delivered by the ever-watchable Brijendra Kala and Ishtiyak Khan, the core story is never convincing enough to root for. There’s an attempt to show guilt, redemption, and societal critique, but it's all glossed over with such shallow treatment that it barely leaves a mark.
Worse still, the human cost of the scam—the pain of people losing everything—is reduced to a montage of token tragedies: a cancelled wedding, a lost college seat, a mother’s hospital bills. These are serious issues, but they’re treated like footnotes in a story more interested in its own cleverness than consequences.
Performances are passable. Vikram Kochhar and Rishabh Pathak do their best with underwritten roles, and Durgesh Kumar plays Lallan with familiarity, but nothing here breaks through the mediocrity. Ishtiyak Khan tries to bring some real emotion to the screen, but it’s too little, too late.
Ultimately, the film’s biggest scam isn’t in the plot—it’s in how it sells itself as a satire with a message, only to deliver an empty narrative dressed up in quick wit and artificial heart. Bollywood’s obsession with remakes continues, but if they come without soul or substance, maybe it’s time to ask: is originality really dead, or just ignored?
Although released on 2nd May, this movie may not be driven by a particularly strong plot, the performances by Vikram Kocchar, Vindhya Tiwari, Durgesh Kumar, and Ishtiyak Khan offer enough charm to keep viewers engaged. Their energetic screen presence and comic timing make the film enjoyable, especially if you’re looking for something light-hearted. The film touches on intriguing themes related to the modern trade market, offering a fresh, albeit slightly chaotic, take on contemporary commerce and interpersonal dynamics. While it may not leave a lasting impact in terms of storytelling, The Networker is definitely worth a watch if you're in the mood for a few laughs and a casual viewing experience. Grab your popcorn, round up your friends or family, and dive into this quirky world—it might just surprise you.
Tellychakkar gives this movie 2/5 stars.
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