Match Fixing: Vineet Singh Starrer Is A Twisted Political Thriller

Match Fixing doesn’t just push boundaries—it demolishes them. A twisted political thriller dripping with conspiracy, terrorism, and real-world manipulation, this film doesn’t just entertain.

Match Fixing releases in theaters on January 10.

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Director: Kedaar Gaekwad
Producer: Pallavi Gurjar
Cast: Vineet Kumar Singh, Anuja Sathe, Manoj Joshi, Raj Arjun, Shataf Figar, Lalit Parimoo, Kishore Kadam
Duration: 2h 26m
Rating: 3.5/5

Match Fixing doesn’t just push boundaries—it demolishes them. A twisted political thriller dripping with conspiracy, terrorism, and real-world manipulation, this film doesn’t just entertain. It challenges you. Directed by Kedaar Gaekwad, based on Col. Kanwar Khatana’s book The Game Behind Saffron Terror, it’s a story about how dirty politics and covert ops can hijack the truth, all while manipulating a nation’s worst fears.

Imagine this: behind closed doors, Indian and Pakistani politicians are scheming to control terrorism narratives, all while planting the term “Saffron Terror” in the media to serve their own agendas. If you think this sounds like a dark conspiracy, you’re right—because Match Fixing is exactly that: a chilling expose of how power plays are made on the world stage.

The film kicks off with the precision of a political thriller that doesn’t waste time. It plunges straight into the murky waters of Indo-Pak relations, showcasing how events like the Samjhauta Express blast and the Malegaon attack were manipulated to build a false narrative. The protagonists and antagonists here don’t just clash in battle; they clash in perception, truth, and moral ambiguity.

Enter Vineet Kumar Singh as Colonel Avinash Patwardhan, an undercover officer on the hunt for the truth while trapped in a web of political and personal chaos. Think James Bond—but without the luxury cars and gadgets. Instead, you’ve got a man riddled with guilt, torn between duty and survival. Singh owns the role, bringing depth and authenticity to a character who’s more than just a man in a uniform—he’s a symbol of what it costs to chase the truth in a world where everything is fixed.

 

Anuja Sathe, as Patwardhan’s wife, brings a grounding force to the chaos around her. Her understated yet powerful performance balances the intensity of the political drama, offering a rare emotional depth in an otherwise high-octane thriller. Meanwhile, the supporting cast—Manoj Joshi, Kishore Kadam, and Raj Arjun—play complex characters who refuse to fall into easy stereotypes. Raj Arjun, in particular, stands out as a Pakistani Colonel caught in his own moral conflict, managing to inject unexpected humanity into what could have easily been a one-dimensional villain.

The second half of the film spirals into a relentless rollercoaster ride, with everything from covert operations to manipulated terror attacks spinning toward a catastrophic endgame. And the final twist? You won’t see it coming. Gaekwad’s direction keeps the audience on edge—every shot, every line of dialogue, is calculated for maximum impact. The narrative never lets up, even as it keeps evolving, revealing layers of conspiracy and intrigue that will make you question everything.

The cinematography is sharp, almost tactile. Whether it’s the cold, military precision of army briefings or the seething intensity of the streets, Gaekwad doesn’t just tell a story—he immerses you in it. The visual tension amplifies the plot’s urgency, making each frame feel like a ticking clock counting down to an explosive revelation.

Anuj S. Mehta’s screenplay is taut and punchy, each scene building on the last without ever losing steam. There are no meandering subplots here—just razor-sharp dialogue by Sameer Garud that feels less like words and more like strategic moves in a high-stakes chess game. Every conversation is loaded, every character’s words come with consequences, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Ashish Mhatre’s editing keeps the momentum unrelenting. With multiple plots interwoven, the pacing never flags, and the film remains tight, lean, and thrilling. This is storytelling at its most focused and addictive.

And let’s not forget the music. Rimi Dhar’s anthem, sung by Daler Mehendi, strikes with the intensity of a freight train—perfect for the high-octane moments. Meanwhile, Hrishi Girdhar’s background score wraps the entire film in a sense of foreboding, giving the narrative an emotional and political edge that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The music and visuals are symbiotic—if the film’s tension were a rope, the score would be the hand that pulls it tighter.

If you like your thrillers sharp, edgy, and unapologetically political, Match Fixing: The Saffron Game is the film you didn’t know you needed. It’s not just about terrorism and military ops—it’s about how political narratives can be twisted, how truths are buried for personal gain, and how power plays out behind the headlines.

Match Fixing is a political thriller that plays dirty—pulling no punches while making you think twice about everything you think you know about terrorism, politics, and the real game being played behind closed doors.