Verdict: Last Man in Tower is a slow, thoughtful drama carried almost entirely by Manoj Bajpayee’s restrained performance. It works well as a character study but its uneven pacing and theatrical release for a niche subject have left the audience response mixed.
Pros:
Manoj Bajpayee delivers a career-best, deeply controlled performance
Divya Dutta and Boman Irani add real emotional and moral weight
A grounded, relatable story about home, greed and community
Cons:
Pacing drags in parts, especially the middle section
Tone shifts between social drama and melodrama, which feels uneven
About Last Man in Tower 2026
Detail
Info
Title
Last Man in Tower
Directed by
Ben Rekhi
Written by
Aravind Adiga (novel), Sooni Taraporevala (screenplay), Juhi Chaturvedi (dialogues)
The story is set in a modest, ageing Mumbai colony called Vishram, home to a mix of families who have lived there for years. When a builder offers residents a large sum along with better homes if they agree to redevelop the building, most people are ready to accept.
Retired schoolteacher Yogesh Mishra, known to everyone as Masterji, is the lone holdout. He isn’t against progress, but he isn’t willing to give up his home and the memories attached to it either. As pressure builds from neighbours, family and the builder, Masterji finds himself increasingly isolated, and what started as a simple disagreement slowly turns into something far more painful.
Audience discussions on X, Bookmyshow and Instagram have been fairly consistent on one point: Manoj Bajpayee’s performance is the film’s biggest strength. Several viewers have called it restrained and quietly powerful, with many saying his expressions do more work than dialogue.
Divya Dutta has also received strong praise, with some viewers describing her as a scene-stealer for the emotional shifts her character goes through. Boman Irani’s understated portrayal of the builder has been appreciated too, with people noting he avoids turning the role into a cartoonish villain.
On the flip side, a fair number of viewers have pointed out that the film feels slow in the middle stretch, and a few scenes involving Masterji’s family dynamics have been called overly melodramatic. Some social media users have also mentioned that the film’s release strategy didn’t suit its content, with reports of weak opening day numbers and limited show counts in several cities.
Overall sentiment leans positive but tempered, with people respecting the craft and performances while acknowledging it isn’t built for a big theatrical outing. This film will likely appeal most to viewers who enjoy character-driven dramas and don’t mind a slower pace. If you’re looking for a fast, plot-heavy thriller, this may test your patience.
But if strong performances and a grounded, real-world story interest you, it delivers on that front. Given the mixed reports on theatre availability and show timings, it may be a safer bet to catch it in a multiplex with limited shows, or wait for it to arrive on a streaming platform if you’d rather watch it at your own pace.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
Kadir is a box office reporter and film analyst from Hojai, Assam, and the founder of Tenvow.com. Since 2015, he has been into box office reporting. With a focus on box office collections, OTT trends, and movie analysis, Kadir delivers accurate, data driven insights into the business of films.
