Gulshan Devaiah
Overview
The plot is set in Mumbai, a city of dream and land of opportunities. The psychological crime thriller showcases an intriguing chase between a serial killer with a distinctive fetish and CBI officer named Gulshan. In the serial killer's point of view, the film explores the fugitive's darkest desire for momentary pleasure.
Cast
Reviews
5 min readThe Feet Beneath the City
I’ve always been drawn to the way crime thrillers reveal the cracks in a city’s facade. Mumbai, in particular, has a way of swallowing its own contradictions—glittering skyscrapers looming over slums, dreams colliding with desperation. Footfairy, Kanishk Varma’s directorial debut, tries to peer into those cracks, following a CBI officer’s hunt for a serial killer who severs the feet of his victims near railway stations.
It’s a grim premise, one that promises to unearth something unsettling about human nature. But does it deliver, or does it stumble over its own ambitions?
The film opens with a jolt—a woman’s body discovered near a train track, her feet missing. The camera lingers on the details: the blood, the stillness, the way the city hums obliviously in the background. It’s a sequence that immediately recalls the opening of Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder, and that comparison isn’t just superficial. Footfairy wears its influences on its sleeve, from the procedural pacing to the way it frames its killer as an almost spectral presence, more idea than man.
The problem isn’t the homage itself—every crime thriller borrows from somewhere—but the way the film struggles to carve out its own identity within those borrowed clothes.
Gulshan Devaiah plays Vivan Deshmukh, the CBI officer leading the investigation. It’s a role that could easily have slipped into cliché—a brooding detective with a tragic past or a substance abuse problem—but Devaiah and Varma resist those tropes. Vivan is earnest, methodical, even a little dull, which makes him feel oddly real.
There’s no grand monologue about justice or morality, just a man doing his job, haunted by the cases he can’t solve. Devaiah’s performance is understated, almost to a fault. He doesn’t chew the scenery; he lets the silence between his lines do the work.
It’s a refreshing change from the histrionics that often plague Indian crime dramas, but it also means the film lacks a certain emotional punch. When Vivan finally confronts the killer, the moment feels more procedural than cathartic.
The supporting cast doesn’t fare as well. Sagarika Ghatge plays Devika, Vivan’s love interest, but her role is so thin it might as well be written on tissue paper. She’s there to provide a romantic subplot that goes nowhere and a few moments of levity that feel jarring against the film’s otherwise grim tone.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.5/10
"A decent thriller with a fresh premise but let down by predictable execution and weak character development."
The movie stands out for its unique concept of a serial killer targeting people with smelly feet, offering a darkly comedic twist on crime thrillers. latestnetflix.com's view is that however, the plot’s reliance on clichéd thriller tropes and underdeveloped side characters leaves many wanting more depth and originality.
What viewers praise
- Unique premise The idea of a serial killer targeting victims based on foot odor adds a darkly comedic and fresh angle to the crime thriller genre.
- Gulshan Devaiah’s performance Devaiah’s portrayal of the quirky detective adds charm and energy, making his character a standout.
- Engaging first half The initial setup and pacing in the first half keep viewers hooked with its mix of humor and suspense.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar thriller tropes, making the twists and ending easy to guess early on.
- Weak character development Supporting characters feel underwritten, lacking depth and failing to leave a lasting impact.
- Disjointed pacing The second half loses momentum, with some scenes feeling rushed or unnecessary.
- Unconvincing ending The resolution to the mystery feels forced and unsatisfying, leaving key questions unanswered.
Recommended for
Crime thriller fans looking for something quirky Gulshan Devaiah admirers Dark comedy enthusiasts Indie thriller lovers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Dark Allure of Footfairy: A Bollywood Thriller That Walked Its Own Path
Kanishk Varma’s Footfairy (2020) arrived with little fanfare but left a lingering impression—partly for its audacious premise, partly for the buzz around its unconventional storytelling. Starring Gulshan Devaiah, Sagarika Ghatge, and Kunaal Roy Kapur, the film promised a psychological thriller with a twist that was as unsettling as it was intriguing. latestnetflix.com's view is that but behind the scenes, whispers about its inspiration, casting choices, and even its real-life connections added layers to the movie’s mystique.
A Fetish-Driven Plot That Divided Audiences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ8OWVuca6g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jumaO2rR1xw
Footfairy centers on a serial killer obsessed with feet, a premise that immediately set it apart from typical Bollywood fare. The trailer teased a dark, suspenseful narrative, with Devaiah’s character, Rishan, at the heart of a cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement. Reviews called it a "hidden gem" , praising its tight pacing and the cast’s performances, though some viewers found the subject matter too niche—or outright disturbing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy87N_Zr6Cc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlOWog8QYvg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S09UHbNFjUA
The film’s ending became a hot topic, with multiple YouTube explainers dissecting the killer’s identity . Theories ranged from Rishan being the culprit to speculation about a copycat angle, with some videos even claiming the movie was "copied" from a real-life case . Whether these claims hold water is debatable, but they fueled the film’s cult status.
Casting Choices: Why These Stars Signed On
Gulshan Devaiah, known for his versatility in films like Shaitan and A Death in the Gunj, was an obvious fit for the morally ambiguous Rishan. But the inclusion of Sagarika Ghatge (Chak De! India) and Kunaal Roy Kapur (Delhi Belly) raised eyebrows. Ghatge’s role as a police officer added gravitas, while Kapur’s character provided comic relief—a risky balance in a thriller.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzuTinYwzSE
Rumors swirled about the actors’ reactions to the script. One review hinted that the cast was drawn to the project’s boldness, though no direct quotes confirmed this. Devaiah’s performance, in particular, was singled out for its intensity, with clips highlighting his portrayal of a man consumed by obsession.
Real-Life Inspiration? The Controversy That Wouldn’t Die
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InzLqMQxVYM
The most persistent chatter around Footfairy was its alleged connection to a real-life serial killer. Videos claimed the film was "copied" from a true crime case, with some even naming a suspect ("Vivan Harsh"). However, no official statements from the director or producers confirmed this, leaving it in the realm of speculation.
Varma, in interviews not captured in the evidence, has reportedly kept mum on the subject, adding to the intrigue. If true, the film’s marketing team missed an opportunity to lean into the controversy—a tactic that could’ve boosted its profile.
A Low-Key Release with Lasting Impact
Footfairy premiered on Zee’s &pictures in October 2020 , a platform not typically associated with high-stakes thrillers. Its digital release and word-of-mouth buzz helped it find an audience, though it never achieved blockbuster status. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes page 
remains sparse, with no critic scores or audience ratings—a sign of its under-the-radar journey.
Yet, for a movie about obsession, Footfairy itself became an object of fascination. The sheer volume of YouTube explainers suggests it struck a nerve, proving that even in Bollywood’s crowded landscape, a daring premise can leave a mark.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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