The action-drama Subedaar, directed by Suresh Triveni, has premiered on OTT, bringing a grounded story of courage, justice and fractured family ties to viewers.
Set in rural Madhya Pradesh, the film unfolds in the violent town of Kokh, where retired army officer Arjun Maurya returns home hoping for a peaceful life after years of service. However, he soon discovers that the region is under the grip of a brutal illegal sand-mining mafia.
The story follows Arjun’s struggle against the powerful syndicate while he simultaneously attempts to rebuild his strained relationship with his daughter Shyama, who resents his long absences during his military career. Veteran actor Anil Kapoor plays the role of Arjun Maurya, while Radhikka Madan portrays his daughter Shyama.
The film also features Mona Singh as Babli Didi, a dangerous mafia leader who runs operations from prison, and Aditya Rawal as her violent stepbrother, Prince. Saurabh Shukla appears as Arjun’s loyal friend.
An emotional turning point in the film comes when a red Gypsy—gifted to Arjun by his late wife—is attacked by the mafia, pushing the retired soldier back into battle mode.
Triveni is known for directing Tumhari Sulu, starring Vidya Balan and Manav Kaul. He also directed the direct-to-OTT film Jalsa, which featured Balan alongside Shefali Shah. Both titles are currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Critical Response
Reviewing the film for Hindustan Times, critic Rishabh Suri described Kapoor’s performance as “terrific”. He wrote that the actor, at 69, convincingly embodies the role of Subedaar Arjun Maurya through his commanding screen presence and expressive body language.
The film blends action with themes of patriotism, resilience and familial bonds. While Kapoor leads the narrative as the seasoned soldier navigating a morally complex world, Madan’s performance anchors the emotional core of the story.
Apart from Kapoor and Madan, the ensemble cast includes Faisal Malik, Amit Jha and Vikram Pratap, among others.
Behind the camera, Subedaar is backed by an experienced creative team. Triveni has co-written the script with Prajwal Chandrashekar.