Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Last Man in Tower Film Examines Greed and Redevelopment
Last Man in Tower is a movie based on a book by Aravind Adiga.
It takes place in a Mumbai housing society that a builder wants to replace with a large new complex.
Most residents accept the builder’s money because they hope for better homes and better lives.
Masterji, a retired teacher played by Manoj Bajpayee, refuses to leave his flat.
He values his memories and principles more than material rewards.
His decision causes many neighbours to turn against him.
Divya Dutta plays Sangeeta Puri, a mother who believes the money could help her special-needs child.
The story asks whether progress is worth damaging friendships and community life.
It also shows how powerful people can use ordinary people’s hopes and greed against one another.
Ben Rekhi’s film adapts Aravind Adiga’s novel about redevelopment at Mumbai’s Vishram Cooperative Housing Society.
Manoj Bajpayee plays Masterji, a retired teacher who refuses a builder’s lucrative redevelopment offer.
Divya Dutta portrays Sangeeta Puri, whose hopes for her special-needs child’s future influence her support for the project.
The film depicts neighbours turning against one another through pressure, manipulation, greed and threats.
Produced by Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media, the 94-minute film is scheduled for theatrical release on September 11.
- Who
- Director Ben Rekhi, writer Sooni Taraporevala, actors Manoj Bajpayee, Divya Dutta and Boman Irani, author Aravind Adiga, and producer Rana Daggubati are associated with the film.
- What
- A theatrical adaptation of Last Man in Tower about a retired teacher resisting the redevelopment of his Mumbai housing society.
- When
- The film is scheduled for theatrical release on September 11.
- Where
- The story is set in Mumbai’s Vishram Cooperative Housing Society.
- Why
- The film explores redevelopment, consumerism, greed, community breakdown, isolation and the human cost of pursuing a supposedly better future.
Masterji’s Principles
Residents’ Better Future
Redevelopment’s value
Masterji’s Principles
Masterji resists the project because he values his home, memories and principles over the builder’s financial offer.
Residents’ Better Future
Many residents support redevelopment because they believe newer apartments and the promised money could improve their families’ lives.
Community versus progress
Masterji’s Principles
The film presents redevelopment as a force that can destroy shared history, neighbourly ties and community support.
Residents’ Better Future
The project represents an opportunity to escape old housing conditions and pursue the improved future promised by modern development.
Masterji’s moral position
Masterji’s Principles
Masterji can be viewed as a principled man standing against a majoritarian wrong and the weaponisation of greed.
Residents’ Better Future
The filmmakers also describe him as morally grey, stubborn and capable of preventing neighbours from pursuing what they consider a better life.
- Source novel
- Last Man in Tower by Aravind Adiga
- Director
- Ben Rekhi
- Screenplay
- Sooni Taraporevala
- Lead cast
- Manoj Bajpayee, Divya Dutta and Boman Irani
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
- Release
- Theatrical release on September 11
- Producer
- Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media
- Central conflict
- Masterji resists a redevelopment plan backed by the builder and most neighbours
