Cinema VinesIn the latest thriller “Last Man In Tower,” veteran actor Manoj Bajpayee delivers a gripping performance as Masterji, an elderly schoolteacher who refuses to abandon the apartment building that has been his home for decades. The film, directed by Ben Rekhi, adapts Aravind Adiga’s novel of the same name and unfolds in the close‑knit community of Vishram, where neighbours look out for one another in a setting that quickly turns tense when a ruthless builder enters the picture.
The plot kicks off when Dharman Shah, played by Boman Irani, offers the residents a deal that seems almost too good to be true: the entire society for two and a half times the market price. While most residents are initially hesitant, the lure of a substantial payout gradually sways almost everyone, including Masterji’s neighbours. Yet Masterji, portrayed with quiet dignity by Bajpayee, remains steadfast, refusing to sell the place he calls home. His stubbornness sparks a conflict that exposes how far people will go when money is involved, and how quickly community bonds can fray.
Rekhi’s direction keeps the adaptation focused and true to the novel’s core themes, avoiding melodrama and instead using a visual style that feels like a quiet observation through a peephole. The film’s first half sets a strong tone, with a narrative that flows smoothly and builds anticipation for the climax. Though the second half dips slightly, the final scenes leave viewers startled and linger with the aftermath of the residents’ choices.
Critics have given the film a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars, noting that the cast—Bajpayee, Irani, Divya Dutta, and Sukant Goel—deliver compelling performances that ground the story’s exploration of greed, dignity, and what truly makes a house a home. The film asks uncomfortable questions about the value of property and the price people are willing to pay for it, both literally and figuratively.
