Akshay Kumar’s *Rustom* revisits the infamous Nanavati case, a pivotal event from 1959 Mumbai, where a naval officer confronts his wife’s affair with his closest friend. The film reframes the true story, focusing on the emotional drama of infidelity and its repercussions. The narrative departs from historical fact to create a ‘what-if’ scenario, adding a fictionalized conclusion that explores the complexities of the situation. The film emphasizes the characters’ emotions, using a blend of realism and dramatic flair.
The visual presentation of *Rustom*, including set design and makeup, attempts to recreate the atmosphere of 1959 Mumbai. The film’s storytelling aims to captivate the audience with a fast-paced narrative that focuses on the courtroom drama of the second half. The film’s version of events and character interpretations have sparked conversations when compared to prior adaptations, like *Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke*. The portrayal of the female lead and the narrative decisions have received both praise and criticism.
Director Tinu Suresh Desai discusses the intensive research done for the movie, including the Parsi cultural background and the setting of 1959 Mumbai. The film was inspired by the original case but took creative liberties to enhance the story. Desai acknowledges constraints during filmmaking and expresses a desire to further develop the story in a web series format, allowing for greater detail and inclusion of all the research. He reflects on the team’s collaboration, including his discussions with Akshay Kumar and other individuals to ensure authenticity. The director stated the goal of the movie was to create an engaging narrative inspired by a well-known incident, with a balance between historical inspiration and creative exploration.