# Vijay 69

Vijay 69 is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Akshay Roy and starring Anupam Kher in the titular role alongside Chunky Pandey and Mihir Ahuja. The film was released on 8 November 2024 on Netflix to mixed-to-positive reviews.

## Plot

Vijay Mathew, a 69-year-old retired swimming coach, lives a monotonous and lonely life in Delhi. Since the passing of his beloved wife, he has lost all sense of purpose, spending his days in quiet solitude, reminiscing about the past. His once-active lifestyle has given way to a sedentary routine, and his interactions are mostly limited to his old friend, Prakash (played by Chunky Pandey), who often teases him about growing old and "wasting away."
One day, while going through his late wife's belongings, Vijay stumbles upon an old journal she had kept. Inside, he finds a list of dreams and aspirations she had wished for him to achieve. Among them is a challenge that shakes him to the core—completing a full triathlon. The words, written with love and belief in his abilities, reignite something deep within him. Despite his age and deteriorating health, Vijay decides to take on the seemingly impossible feat to honor her memory.
Vijay's journey begins with small steps. He starts by jogging around the neighborhood park but quickly realizes that his body is no longer as strong as it used to be. He struggles with breathlessness, joint pain, and self-doubt. His friend Prakash, though skeptical, encourages him in his own humorous way, while his neighbors and acquaintances mock his ambitious goal.
Determined, Vijay seeks help from a young fitness trainer, Kabir (played by Mihir Ahuja), a vibrant and somewhat overconfident coach at a local gym. Initially dismissive of Vijay’s goal, Kabir agrees to train him after being inspired by the old man’s persistence. The training is rigorous—swimming in cold water, cycling for miles, and pushing his endurance through intense running. With each passing day, Vijay improves, but the journey is anything but easy.
As he progresses, Vijay faces numerous obstacles. His body starts to show signs of wear and tear—an old knee injury flares up, and exhaustion takes a toll. At one point, he collapses from dehydration during a long cycling session. His family, worried about his health, pleads with him to reconsider, but he refuses to back down.
Meanwhile, Prakash, though supportive, constantly reminds Vijay that he is no longer young and that the risk might not be worth it. However, Kabir, despite his initial doubts, becomes deeply invested in Vijay’s success. He pushes him harder while also teaching him to train smart.
During a moment of frustration, Vijay nearly gives up, questioning whether this endeavor is truly worth the pain. But a heartfelt conversation with Prakash and a dream of his wife cheering him on reignite his passion. He pushes through, training harder than ever.
The day of the triathlon arrives. The event consists of three grueling stages: a 1.5 km swim, a 40 km bicycle ride, and a 10 km run. Among hundreds of competitors, Vijay stands out—not as the fastest or the strongest, but as the oldest. Spectators and participants look on with curiosity and admiration.
The first stage, the swim, is particularly challenging. Despite his swimming background, the cold water and the aggressive competition make it tough. He gets hit by another swimmer and briefly panics, but he remembers his wife's words and pushes forward, emerging from the water exhausted but determined.
The cycling stage proves to be another test. Halfway through, his knee pain resurfaces, making every pedal stroke painful. He slows down, nearly quitting, but then sees Prakash and Kabir cheering from the sidelines. Their unwavering belief in him fuels his determination, and he continues pedaling, finishing the stage.
Finally, the running segment begins. Every step feels like an uphill battle, his muscles screaming for rest. Younger competitors overtake him, but the crowd starts chanting his name, inspired by his resilience. As he nears the finish line, his body almost gives up, but in his mind, he sees his wife smiling, urging him forward.
With one final push, Vijay crosses the finish line. The crowd erupts in applause, and his name is announced as the oldest finisher of the triathlon. Overwhelmed with emotion, he falls to his knees, looking up at the sky, whispering his wife’s name.
Vijay's victory is not just about completing the triathlon—it’s about proving that age is never a barrier to chasing one's dreams. His journey inspires many, from young athletes to older individuals who had given up on their own aspirations.
Kabir, once an arrogant young trainer, learns the true meaning of perseverance from Vijay. Prakash, who had always been skeptical, now beams with pride, calling Vijay a "legend." And as for Vijay himself, he finds peace, knowing that he has honored his wife's memory in the best way possible.
The film ends with Vijay receiving a special recognition for his achievement, but more importantly, he walks away with a newfound sense of purpose, ready to embrace whatever challenges life throws at him next.

## Cast

* Anupam Kher as Vijay Matthew
* Chunky Pandey as Fali
* Mihir Ahuja as Aditya
* Guddi Maruti as Parminder Bakshi
* Ekavali Khanna as Anna Matthews, Vijay's wife
* Vrajesh Hirjee as Coach Vishwas
* Kunal Vijaykar as Kishore
* Sulagna Panigrahi as Deeksha, Vijay's daughter
* Ravish Desai as Abhimanyu, Deeksha's husband
* Dharmendra Gohil as Akash, Aditya's father
* Anirban Bhattacharyya as Doctor
* Ketika Sharma as Malti
* Ashwin Mushran as Jaag
* Pawan Chopra
* Adrija Sinha as Ruhi
* Vivek Sagar as Jiten Mukhi
* Paritosh Sand as Ranjit Kumar
* Abhhay Joshi as Sunil Saxena
* Saanand Verma as Corrupt journalist

## Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.6/10.
Dehaval Roy of The Times of India rated the film 3/5 and wrote, "Despite these flaws, Vijay 69 is still a family-friendly entertainer that is worth watching once, especially if you’re in the mood for a light, feel-good story with a touch of comedy". A critic from The Hindu wrote "With little to reflect upon, it feels like an advertisement to promote triathlon, the new fad among fitness enthusiasts in all age groups". A critic from Firstpost wrote "No doubt, Vijay 69 is predictable to the core, but it does bring a smile to our face especially when we see our aging parents giving up on life". Rishabh Suri of the Hindustan Times wrote, "Vijay 69 is one of those films which people start watching with great interest, then lose it, scroll through their phones, watch a couple of scenes, go about some chores around the house, come back to watch the climax, and the end". A critic from Filmfare rated the film 3.5/5 and wrote, "The film will leave you with a smile on your face and a renewed belief in the power of perseverance, making it a truly heartwarming experience". A critic from Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote, "On the whole, VIJAY 69 is a light-hearted inspirational tale that works due to the relatability factor, Anupam Kher's marvellous performance and an emotional climax".