With a disconcerting sense of pride and fascination, he preys on his victims, cunningly dismembering them, practising necrophilia and sometimes even feasting on their remains, without batting an eyelid. If anything, these carnal acts provide catharsis and push the psychopath into a celebratory trance. In one scene we see him lying on the sofa enjoying the satisfaction of having successfully dismembered a woman who did not reciprocate his romantic feelings.
Deepak Dobiryal plays a corrupt cop who later changes his mind and gets involved in the case.
Massey’s portrayal of a paedophile cannibal is one of the best and most disturbing performances seen in recent times. The seasoned actor has captured the subtlest muscle movements and twitches of a pathological killer with unsettling brilliance. Even the most gruesome acts are punctuated with moments of immense satisfaction and a worrying degree of nonchalance. Prem Singh, played by Massey, works as a helper in a businessman’s house. If you know the real-life case of Nithari, you won’t be surprised that the film implicates the owner of the house in the heinous crimes as well. Sector 36 frames the murders as part of a larger organ trafficking ring. But for Massey’s character, these acts are not simply an act of following his boss’s orders, but rather a crime of passion that keeps him sane – and Massey has pulled off the skin of this sick bastard to perfection.
The inspiration for the film, the infamous and gruesome Nithari case, shook the country and brought India to a dark place internationally. More than 16 children and women were sexually abused, killed, served on plates and dumped in drains.
The Netflix version wastes no time in giving elaborate context and establishing a sense of suspense. Within the first ten minutes, we witness necrophilia, bloody limb mutilation, and bags of flesh floating down the drain. We know Massey is the culprit and he is destined to be caught. With a gush of blood flowing down a rotting toilet comes the title sequence, which sets the tone for the various gory scenes that follow. We see organs being packed and shipped like parcels, rows of rotting skulls on display, femurs floating in drains, and more.
The cinematography in Sector 36 is quite impressive.
Deepak Dobriyal plays a corrupt cop who starts taking the mysterious disappearance of some slum children seriously after a tragedy strikes at home. Thus begins his quest for the truth and to put the culprit behind bars, though the police department remains reluctant to do more.
However, the film does not cover the exhaustive investigation behind the case, nor the extensive organ trafficking network linked to it. Dobriyal does a cursory dig for the truth and the trafficking part is wrapped up in no more than three scenes in a seedy clinic that serves as a hub for the organ trade. The film also conveniently avoids the judicial aspect of the case, probably because even after 17 long years of court trials, the culprits walked free.
Aditya Nimbalkar’s film attempts to focus primarily on the twisted psyche of the killer, rather than delving into other aspects. While it is understandable that Nimbalkar wanted to focus on one particular aspect, a brief conclusive narration of the court’s final decision could have been better. Perhaps the debutant director wanted to avoid a disappointing ending to his film, ending on a hopeful note.
Akash Khurana's character is based on Moninder Singh Pandher, who was one of the suspects in the Nithari case.
The film is not gratuitous with its depiction of heinous acts such as necrophilia, pedophilia and cannibalism. Apart from the gory imagery and suggestive soundtracks, Massey’s masterful expressions and body language prove to be powerful storytelling tools, making the film all the more impactful. The way his eyes light up at the sight of a dead body or the way he assesses a bound child captures the horror of the act he is about to commit. Bodhayan Roychaudhury’s intelligent writing and intense dialogues add to the nuanced narrative. The subject matter is handled with the care and sensitivity these incidents deserve, avoiding tasteless and sensationalist exploitation while conveying their inhumanity.
The film is also notable for Saurabh Goswami’s stunning cinematography, which incorporates plenty of visual metaphors and symmetrical framing compositions, adding depth to the story. There is a particularly intriguing scene in which Massey confesses his crime to a police officer, positioned at the same distance from the camera as he is. It is hard to ignore the depth induced by the framing, not to mention, of course, the chilling performances by Massey and Dobriyal.
If it weren't for the dark subject matter, one could compare the framing of District 36 to Wes Anderson's signature symmetry. While the camera in Anderson's quirky films conveys a playful, storybook aesthetic, here it has an off-putting effect.
Sector 36 offers many visually stunning settings.
Lighting also comes into play as a narrative element, along with visual metaphors. Different moods are depicted in various hues, which are sure to catch the attention of keen movie buffs. Spiraling shots of circular staircases accompany moments of brain-teasing mysteries, masked characters serve as a backdrop for heinous criminals posing as respected members of society, and the kidnapping of children living in the slums is soon followed by the depiction of the abduction of Goddess Sita by Ravana at a Ramleela fair. Even the carnage has a soundtrack in the form of Lata Mangeshkar’s “Man Kyoon Behka Re Behka Aadhi Raat Ko,” which translates to a wandering mind in the middle of the night.
Nimbalkar’s masterful depiction of the Nithari case strikes a perfect balance between fact and fiction, avoiding the drawbacks of a dry documentary-style approach. The film maintains its cinematic charm while staying true to the real facts, evoking a sense of horror and unease that will leave you shaken. It successfully combines the power of a good script, thoughtful cinematography and chilling performances, creating a compelling narrative that will haunt you. Massey’s standout performance is particularly noteworthy, set to propel her career to new heights. By skillfully weaving these elements together, Nimbalkar has created a film that will leave a lasting and disturbing impact on audiences.
Score: 7.5/10