Stolen, a tightly wound thriller clocking in at 90 minutes, is a sobering look at the class tensions and moral complexities hidden beneath a child abduction case. Directed by Karan Tejpal and backed by industry stalwarts like Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, the film tells a raw, arresting story that unfolds in a single day—but resonates far beyond.
The plot centers around two brothers, Gautam (Abhishek Banerjee) and Raman (Shubham Vardhan), who find themselves caught in a crisis after being wrongfully linked to a kidnapped infant at a remote railway station. The true strength of the film lies not just in the suspense, but in its refusal to simplify the emotional, social, and moral weight of the unfolding chaos.
What sets Stolen apart is its atmospheric intensity. The sparse setting, minimal dialogue, and naturalistic performances immerse the viewer in a world where fear simmers quietly, and justice depends heavily on your place in the social ladder.
Banerjee delivers one of his finest performances—cynical, sharp, but fiercely loyal as an elder brother navigating a system he barely trusts. Vardhan’s restrained portrayal of a younger, idealistic sibling adds a compelling contrast. Mia Maelzer, as the devastated mother, brings emotional depth with raw vulnerability, making her grief unmistakably real.
There are moments in the film where the pace dips slightly, but they are minor distractions in an otherwise well-executed narrative. Tejpal crafts a film that neither preaches nor panders, but reflects. Stolen challenges viewers to reckon with biases, authority, and the human cost of assumptions.
