Premium12 years of Table No. 21: Paresh Rawal-Rajeev Khandelwal's riveting thriller that echoes Squid Game
If you're a Squid Game fan, you need to watch Table No. 21—a thriller that feels strikingly familiar.
Last Updated: 01.18 PM, Jan 04, 2025
It's been 12 years, and even now, Table No. 21 is considered an underrated thriller that deserves a watch. People in India and around the world are raving about Squid Game on Netflix. With the release of the second season, it's an opportune moment to revisit this 2013 Aditya Datt directorial, which stars Paresh Rawal, Rajeev Khandelwal, and Tina Desai in the lead roles. For the uninitiated, the film's title takes its moniker from Article 21, which addresses the safeguarding of life and individual liberty in the Indian Constitution.
Plot synopsis
In Table No. 21, after toiling away at an average existence, Vivaan (Rajeev Khandelwal) and Siya Agasthi (Tina Desai) are overjoyed to win a tropical getaway to Fiji. The delighted couple will enjoy lunch at one of Fiji's most exclusive resorts on their wedding anniversary, in addition to a stay in a magnificent suite at a five-star hotel. Upon meeting the charming Mr. Khan (Paresh Rawal) at the restaurant, the couples' excitement levels skyrocket. He offers them the chance to play a "tell all truth" game for an incredible 21 crores. Answering the eight questions honestly and finishing the assigned chores will get you the prize money. That's all there is to it. Vivaan and Siya eagerly accepted, realising that they could finally live the life they'd always dreamed of with the money they won and spend it in Mumbai. Now that the game has begun, Vivaan and Siya are effortlessly navigating through the initial questions and activities. But the more they go along, the more personal the questions and assignments grow. Ironically, every inquiry pertains to a significant period in their life. Vivaan and Siya decide to stop playing the game because they've had enough.
Khan reminds them of a crucial rule: leaving is not an option. Even though they understand it's not a game, they must persevere to survive. Khan, who is he really? Can Siya and Vivaan make it through the game and walk away with 21 crores?
In light of the fact that Table No. 21 has turned 12 this year, it's fascinating to see how the film hinted at certain aspects that would later be associated with Squid Game.
Games with a death sentence
Table No. 21 and Squid Game both feature regular people who fall for enticements to enter high-stakes contests with huge cash prizes. In Table No. 21, a beautiful resort invites Vivaan and Siya, a married couple, to play a game. The game initially seems innocent, but as the couple confronts their deepest secrets and makes life-changing decisions, the tone shifts to a sombre one. In Squid Game, a group of struggling individuals has the opportunity to win significant prizes in kid-friendly games, but the consequences of losing could be disastrous.
What distinguishes the two is the way in which they delve into the human mind in the face of ultimate survival. According to both stories, the psychological and emotional costs of playing life-threatening games make it difficult to tell right from wrong. The psychological game of moral dilemmas in Table No. 21 achieves this, while physical violence and competition in Squid Game demonstrate the lengths to which individuals will go in pursuit of money.
Cost of greed
Corruption, despair, and greed are themes that both Table No. 21 and Squid Game tackle. Several characters in Squid Game, including the participants, face personal and financial crises that push them into the games due to crushing debts. Table No. 21 also criticises the pursuit of fame and fortune. Tragic outcomes can result from avarice, as the couple's participation in the game and its ensuing twists show. The film offers a reflection on the shadowy aspects of human character, subtly addressing the immoral sacrifices individuals are willing to make in their quest for riches.
Psychological game
Although Squid Game is renowned for its challenging physical elements, Table No. 21 focuses primarily on the mental aspects of manipulation. Paresh Rawal's game master, manipulating the couple's anxieties, weaknesses, and history, transforms the game from a simple sprint for survival into a psychological struggle. By introducing "game masters" and surprising twists, Squid Game later heightened the feeling of fear and anxiety in each round, highlighting this crucial feature of psychological torture even more.
You can stream Table No. 21 on JioCinema and ZEE5, both accessible on OTTplay Premium. Netflix has released the most recent season of Squid Game.