Last Man in Tower Review: Manoj Bajpayee’s Quiet Fight Will Shake You Up
Last Man in Tower review: Manoj Bajpayee delivers a powerful performance in this moving drama about home, family, and moral courage.
A Story That Hits Close to Home
Manoj Bajpayee’s Last Man in Tower has arrived in theatres today, 11 September, and this Last Man in Tower review takes a close look at whether the film lives up to its promise. Directed by Ben Rekhi and also starring Divya Dutta and Boman Irani, the film is adapted from Aravind Adiga’s novel of the same name — and it trades big spectacle for something far more grounded and personal.
If you’re deciding whether to watch it this weekend, this Last Man in Tower review breaks down the story, the performances, and what works and what doesn’t.
What Is Last Man in Tower About?
At the centre of this Last Man in Tower review is a retired schoolteacher, Yogesh Mishra, known to everyone as Masterji, played by Manoj Bajpayee. Masterji lives in Mumbai’s old Vishram Co-operative Housing Society, a modest building filled with decades of shared memory.
Everything changes when builder Dharmen Shah (Boman Irani) offers to demolish the ageing society and replace it with a luxury tower called “The Shanghai.” In exchange, residents are promised a large payout and a more comfortable lifestyle. While several neighbours are quickly won over, Masterji refuses to give up the home tied to his memories, his emotions, and his sense of belonging — and eventually finds himself standing alone against everyone he once called neighbours.
Whether Masterji manages to hold on to his principles, or whether the pressure finally breaks him, is the question this Last Man in Tower review won’t spoil — that answer belongs to the film itself.
How Are the Performances in Last Man in Tower?
Manoj Bajpayee carries the film almost entirely on his own. As a weary, middle-class father caught in a battle over both money and morality, he never lets the emotional core of the story slip, even in its quietest scenes.
Divya Dutta, playing Masterji’s neighbour, brings real complexity to a character torn between fighting for a better future and questioning whether she’s doing the right thing. Her shifting emotional register is one of the more striking elements this Last Man in Tower review highlights, and she does full justice to a role that constantly walks a moral tightrope.
Boman Irani, as the builder pushing for the tower’s construction, and Sukant Goel, as Masterji’s son, have comparatively limited screen time but make a strong impression whenever they do appear. The wider cast of society residents rounds out the film’s sense of a real, lived-in community.
Direction: Simplicity as Strength
Since Last Man in Tower is based on a novel centred on one middle-class man’s struggle, don’t expect action set-pieces or dramatic flourishes. Director Ben Rekhi builds the film with restraint and emotional honesty, letting the story reach the audience without unnecessary embellishment.
There’s no larger-than-life hero moment here — just a portrayal of how an ordinary middle-class man might actually respond in this situation. That refusal to dress things up is, in many ways, the film’s biggest strength, and it’s a key reason this Last Man in Tower review rates the direction favourably despite the film’s slow pace.
What Works and What Doesn’t
What’s good:
Manoj Bajpayee once again proves he can carry an entire film on his performance alone.
Divya Dutta’s shifting shades as her character wrestles with her choices are genuinely surprising.
A simple story that still manages to deliver a powerful, thought-provoking message by the end.
The film’s exploration of ethics and values will leave you reflecting on how close it comes to real life.
It offers a clear-eyed look at family, community, and just how disconnected the outside world can be from both.
What doesn’t work:
With no added drama or stylistic flourishes, the film moves at a slow, deliberate pace.
Certain stretches feel especially slow and may test some viewers’ patience.
Runtime is a relatively short 1 hour 37 minutes, which some may feel limits how deeply the story can breathe.
Should You Watch Last Man in Tower?
If you’re looking for an action-packed thrill ride, this Last Man in Tower review has to be honest: this isn’t the film for you. It runs on a deliberately flat, understated register, without the adrenaline-driven moments many viewers expect from a theatrical release.
But if you’re a fan of Manoj Bajpayee’s acting, or you’re in the mood for a socially rooted drama carrying a genuine message, this Last Man in Tower review suggests you won’t come away disappointed — as long as you’re willing to be patient with its pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who directed Last Man in Tower?
Ans. Last Man in Tower is directed by Ben Rekhi.
Q. What book is Last Man in Tower based on?
Ans. The film is based on Aravind Adiga’s novel of the same name, Last Man in Tower.
Q. Who plays the lead role in Last Man in Tower?
Ans. Manoj Bajpayee plays Yogesh Mishra, known as Masterji, the film’s central character.
Q. How long is Last Man in Tower?
Ans. The film has a runtime of 1 hour 37 minutes.
Q. Is Last Man in Tower worth watching?
Ans. Yes, if you enjoy character-driven dramas and strong performances; it may feel slow for viewers expecting action or fast-paced entertainment.
Conclusion
This Last Man in Tower review ultimately comes down to one clear takeaway: it’s Manoj Bajpayee’s film through and through, anchored by a quietly powerful performance and supported by Divya Dutta’s layered turn as a conflicted neighbour. It’s slow, deliberately so, but that patience pays off with a story about home, principle, and belonging that lingers well after the credits roll.
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