The movie ‘Antim Sanskar’ stands out from others due to its unique approach. Once actors enter the film industry, they must act regardless of the circumstances. Many actors aspire to portray diverse roles and are willing to face challenges. ‘Antim Sanskar’ is a film where the actor confronts various role-related difficulties.
In the movie, Daya (Vijay Lama) goes missing, and whether he is alive or dead becomes inconsequential. Deputy Superintendent of Police Raksha (Diya Pun) shoulders the responsibility of finding Daya. She is joined by Haridas (Abhanraj Upreti) and Ratne (Krishna Maharjan). Even within the police circle, doubts surround Raksha’s character, leaving her with only alcohol and dark rooms as her companions. It is mysterious how Raksha, struggling in her own life, finds solace amidst numerous obstacles.
Dheeraj (Trichandra Rai), Daya’s drug-addicted son, has no recollection of his actions. Being adopted by Daya, he didn’t receive much love from his father. Moreover, Daya suddenly disappears without a trace. These circumstances influence Dheeraj’s perspective of his father, but the movie portrays his obligation to perform his father’s last rites.
The story revolves around three characters, making it an exciting psychological thriller. Raksha undergoes immense struggles while searching for solace, and the movie explores whether she succeeds or not. Daya is missing, and no one has any information about his whereabouts. Daya’s younger wife, Smarika (Reshma Ghimire), has lost hope that her husband is alive. However, the movie introduces a mysterious twist by questioning whether his wife is involved in Daya’s disappearance or murder. Numerous twists occur throughout the film, with characters like Daya’s wife, the household driver, and Daya’s son Dheeraj contributing to the intrigue. Dheeraj embarks on a solitary journey to the Himalayas with a mysterious large blue bag, leaving its contents shrouded in secrecy. As the movie progresses, the revelation of this secret confuses the paths of Raksha and Dheeraj, leading to a gripping murder mystery.
The movie ventures into the unconventional portrayal of post-death rituals, which may be hard for some viewers to digest. After killing, the body is neither buried nor cremated. The film attempts to showcase the tradition of cutting the corpse and feeding it to vultures. This practice, prevalent among the Lamas in the Upper Mustang and Dolpa regions, is shown in the movie. It may be a novelty for many viewers. In other countries, this practice is known as ‘Sky Burial.’
Director Pradeep Shahi aimed to create a sense of mystery throughout the film. It is not a love story and does not include any songs. Despite this, it successfully generates curiosity in the audience’s minds, and the two hours of runtime fly by. In terms of acting, Vijay Lama delivers a commendable performance, while Diya Pun could improve in such a challenging role. Trichandra Rai’s acting deserves praise as he aptly portrays his character. The performances of other actors are not particularly outstanding.