Last Man in Tower Review: Manoj Bajpayee Movie Rating, Story & Verdict

Last Man in Tower is one of those films that looks like a simple story about a building but gradually turns into something much darker. Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Divya Dutta and Boman Irani, the film explores what happens when money, redevelopment and personal ambition begin to destroy the relationships within a middle-class housing society.

Directed by Ben Rekhi, the film is based on Aravind Adiga's bestselling novel of the same name and was released in theatres on September 11, 2026. With a runtime of around 97 minutes, it is a relatively short and tightly made drama.

So, does Last Man in Tower live up to its promising premise? Here's our detailed review.

Last Man in Tower Story

The story revolves around Yogesh Mishra, popularly known as Masterji, played by Manoj Bajpayee.

He is a retired teacher living in an ageing housing society in Mumbai. His home isn't simply a flat to him. It represents his memories, his past and the life he has built over the years.

Everything changes when a powerful builder, Dharmen Shah, played by Boman Irani, offers the residents a substantial amount of money to vacate their homes so the old building can be demolished and replaced with a modern development.

Most residents see the offer as an opportunity.

Masterji doesn't.

His refusal puts him directly against the builder and, increasingly, against the very neighbours who were once his friends.

What begins as a disagreement over property slowly becomes a battle involving greed, morality, loneliness and human behaviour.

Manoj Bajpayee Is the Biggest Strength

The film belongs to Manoj Bajpayee.

As Masterji, Bajpayee avoids turning the character into a conventional heroic figure. Instead, he plays him as an ordinary, ageing man who is stubborn, principled and increasingly isolated.

His performance is deliberately restrained in the early portions. As pressure builds around him, the character becomes more intense without requiring excessive melodrama.

India Today called the performances by Bajpayee and Divya Dutta a "masterclass in human behaviour", while The Times of India gave the film 4/5, particularly praising the emotional conflict at its centre.

Bajpayee makes Masterji believable because he allows the audience to understand both his strengths and his flaws.

Divya Dutta and Boman Irani Add More Depth

Divya Dutta is another major highlight.

Her character represents the changing attitude of the housing society. As the residents become increasingly attracted to the money and lifestyle promised by redevelopment, the atmosphere around Masterji changes.

Dutta gradually transforms her character from an ordinary neighbour into someone considerably more aggressive and intimidating.

Boman Irani is equally effective as builder Dharmen Shah. Instead of playing him as a one-dimensional villain, the film gives him enough nuance to make the conflict more complicated.

The result is a three-way performance battle between Bajpayee, Dutta and Irani.

A Film About More Than Redevelopment

The smartest thing about Last Man in Tower is that redevelopment is only the surface-level conflict.

Underneath it is a bigger question:

What happens when money changes the way people see their friends, neighbours and even themselves?

The residents initially appear to share a sense of community. But once a large financial offer arrives, old loyalties begin to disappear.

The film asks whether progress always means improvement and whether holding on to the past is necessarily the morally correct choice.

That ambiguity makes the story more interesting.

Mumbai Becomes an Important Character

The film also captures a very specific side of Mumbai.

Instead of presenting the city through glamorous skyscrapers and expensive restaurants, Last Man in Tower focuses on ageing buildings, cramped homes, ordinary residents and the constant pressure of redevelopment.

The housing society almost becomes a character itself.

The contrast between the old building and the proposed modern development mirrors the central conflict: memory versus progress, community versus individual ambition, and emotional attachment versus financial opportunity.

What Works in Last Man in Tower?

The biggest strengths are its performances and concise storytelling.

At roughly 95–97 minutes, the movie doesn't unnecessarily stretch the conflict. India Today's review described its length as a sweet spot, while Scroll.in called it a "crisp and efficient" adaptation.

The film also benefits from its refusal to give viewers an easy answer.

You can understand why the residents want to sell.

You can understand why Masterji refuses.

And you can also understand why the builder believes he is offering them a better future.

That moral uncertainty is what keeps the drama engaging.

Where Does Last Man in Tower Struggle?

The film's biggest weakness is that its short runtime means some characters and conflicts aren't explored as deeply as they could have been.

Cinema Express praised the performances but noted that the film works for most parts rather than completely landing its material.

The Hollywood Reporter India similarly described it as a well-acted and sobering middle-class tragedy, while noting the film's interesting relationship with its source material.

Some viewers may also find the pacing and restrained treatment less commercially entertaining than a typical Bollywood drama.

This is a character-driven film, not an action-packed entertainer.

Last Man in Tower Reviews and Ratings

The critical response has been largely positive, although ratings vary.

• Times of India: 4/5
• India Today: 3.5/5
• Hindustan Times: 3.5/5
• Cinema Express: 3/5
• Bollywood Hungama: 2.5/5
• Aaj Tak: 3.5/5

Rotten Tomatoes currently lists five critic reviews, with responses ranging from 2.5/5 to 4/5.

The Hud Times Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐

Is Last Man in Tower Worth Watching?

Yes, if you enjoy serious, realistic dramas with strong performances.

The film is particularly worth watching for Manoj Bajpayee's performance. Divya Dutta and Boman Irani also add considerable weight to the story.

However, viewers looking for a conventional Bollywood entertainer with romance, comedy or action may find it slow and understated.

If you enjoy films about society, morality, property disputes and human psychology, Last Man in Tower is a much stronger recommendation.

Final Thoughts

Last Man in Tower turns a Mumbai redevelopment dispute into a sharp examination of greed, morality and loneliness.

Manoj Bajpayee anchors the film with an understated but powerful performance, while Divya Dutta and Boman Irani make the conflict considerably more compelling.

The movie may not explore every character or theme as deeply as its source material, but its short runtime and strong performances keep it engaging.

More importantly, it leaves the audience with an uncomfortable question: when everyone around you chooses money and progress, does refusing to compromise make you principled—or simply stubborn?

Final Verdict: 3.5/5 ⭐

Worth watching: Yes
Best for: Manoj Bajpayee fans, realistic Bollywood dramas and viewers who enjoy socially relevant stories.