'Chingari' could rightly have been called 'Sushmita Power' for she's the mainstay of the film. If fun time is what you're looking for in a cinema hall, then stay away from this film! And for all you die-hard Sushmita Sen fans, here's a different flavor of this woman to relish and cherish.
You are sure to take home a slice of Basanti (Sushmita Sen) after watching 'Chingari'. The film is a close look at the goings on in a remote village in Northern India. So head for this film if you're in the mood for realism. But the film has a major drawback; its length. It could have been trimmed by at least half an hour and made crisp. Then it would have made a stronger impact! 'Chingari' has many layers to it. It's the love story of a prostitute and a postman. There are other issues too that are still prevalent in these remote areas in the North; illiteracy, sexual exploitation of the poor, and fake Godmen.
There are some brilliantly executed scenes. Besides the performers, credit is due to Kalpana Lajmi, the director. Watch out for the scene in which Basanti goes to the post office a day before her marriage to confess her love to Chandan (Anuj Sawhney) and explain to him the reason for her agreeing to marry someone else is heart wrenching as well as performed from the heart. It shows the strong willed prostitute's transition into a woman.
One could also never associate this sort of vulnerability with the normally strong and confident Sushmita Sen! It puts her in the same league as some of our great actresses. Another brilliantly performed scene is one in which Basanti takes on Bhuvan Panda in her house. And the climax in which she kills him is just superb. She looks possessed by the Goddess. It's almost like Sushmita had recently said, "It's not me, it's the Goddess herself!' Mithun looks like he's truly made a comeback. This sensitive actor had somewhere got lost in all those flashy clothes and disco numbers in his yesteryear's. 'Chingari' brings out the actor in him although he does go over the top in some scenes. Ila Arun fits the bill. Anuj Sawhney looks convincing. The kid who plays Basanti's daughter is cute. A couple of the songs are good. The background score is brilliant. There is a liberal usage of foul language, which goes with the genre of the film.
But the box office prospects of the film cannot be predicted. It has limited appeal. But a movie to be watched for the performances, particularly Sushmita's!
