Aditya Nimbalkar Tackles a Heartbreaking Topic with Sector 36, But Execution Falls Short

Picture Courtesy : IMDB

Aditya Nimbalkar chooses a compelling yet tragic subject for his film Sector 36, delving into the dark realities of the infamous Nithari killings. The film is packed with potential and begins with great promise, but despite the harrowing visuals of skeletons, dismembered bodies, and a chilling confession from a cannibalistic killer, it loses momentum just 15 minutes in. Although the film touches on some deeply disturbing topics, it falters in execution, leaving audiences underwhelmed.

One of the major letdowns is the inconsistent character arcs. Deepak Dobriyal’s transformation from villain to hero feels rushed and unconvincing, while Vikrant Massey’s portrayal of a cold-blooded murderer lacks the chilling intensity needed to make his role truly memorable. The film hints at intriguing psychological dimensions, but they are left unexplored, leaving a gap in the storytelling.

There are moments when the film builds anticipation perfectly—such as the opening sequence referencing Newton’s Third Law of Motion, suggesting that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. However, this theme of poetic justice never gets the payoff it deserves. Sector 36 tries to tackle multiple aspects of the Nithari case, from serial killings and cannibalism to child pornography and illegal organ trade, but the lack of in-depth research and a cautious approach to its brutal subject matter hinders the film’s impact.

Fans who expected Sector 36 to emulate the brilliance of Talvar—a film that skillfully blended fact and fiction around the Arushi Talwar case—may find themselves disappointed. Despite Nimbalkar’s involvement in Talvar, Sector 36 struggles to achieve the same narrative finesse.

Even the soundtrack feels out of place, and the subplot of Vikrant Massey’s character obsessing over a quiz show like KBC adds little to the story. This misalignment of themes and plot points leaves the audience confused, as the film’s core message gets lost in an attempt to juggle too many ideas at once. Ultimately, Sector 36 fails to live up to its potential, despite an important and gripping subject matter.