Chhotolok

Not a typical whodunit, but it features a multilayered theme with solid performances and dialogues. Indranil Roy Chowdhury once again demonstrates his prowess as a filmmaker.

Who is the real mean person of this society? The affluent individuals with enough money and influence, or the so-called lower strata people who have nothing to lose? Aren't they deprived of everything a human seeks for living? Aren't we the real evil? If you want an answer, you have to watch this. In the midst of the current OTT boom, where Bengali content often struggles to stand out, Zee5's 'Chhotolok' shines as a hard-hitting and gripping gem that demands your immediate attention.

The series maintains an engaging pace and storytelling that keeps viewers hooked. The attention to detail, including the music and the overall presentation of scenes with outstanding color grading and cinematography, is simply brilliant. The casting and acting are generally strong, with Priyanka delivering a compelling performance. However, Gaurav's portrayal falls slightly short in comparison. The true standout in the main cast is Damini Beni Bose, who plays SI Sabitri Mandal. She steals the show with her brilliant performance.

Director Indranil Roychowdhury's series delves into the complexities of society, where the distinctions between upper middle-class and lower middle-class households are deeply ingrained. The term "Chhotolok" takes on multiple meanings in this narrative. It can refer to those with a narrow-minded mentality, but it also relates to individuals from the lower social strata. The series uncovers layers of thrill, mystery, and hidden truths within the society's corners. Who is really called small people? Those who show their small mentality or those who live in the lower class in the language of society? Or..? No matter how many adjectives Chhotalok has, director Indranil Roychowdhury has given a unique interpretation.

There is a saying that if you see the morning you can understand the whole day. This is true for this series. I think this is the best Bengali web series of 2023.

Everything in the series is perfect. After a long time, such a good series has come in Bengali language. It is completely different from the so-called Bengali series.

The pace of the series is a bit slow, but it manages to get deep into each character. The director has been able to take international standards beyond the national level.

In acting, you have to talk about Damini Bose first and then you have to talk about Damini Bose at the end. Outstanding performance in an outstanding role. Along with the rest of the company is absolutely appropriate. BGM is very good.

Even earlier in the Indranil Roychowdhury movie, a fence between the upper class and the lower class was seen. It is still very clear. Dirty game of politics. It is still clear. Indranil Roychowdhury is recognizing his caste. I was waiting for better work from the director.

Highly recommended.

#Chhotolok I binge watched this series in one go In my opinion, there is no such dark yet so good work in the world of Bengali web series Director Indranil Roy Chowdhury, all such topics have been touched in this web series, which other series cannot even imagine. Another thing is that almost every character has both good and bad sides Some issues are brand new that are hardly dealt with, such as problems with sexual desire in married relationships.

But what caught the most attention is caste in Bengali society, rich-poor relationship Caste in our society is a little softer on the surface of North India, but its far-reaching consequences are equally brutal. Indranilbabu has highlighted this aspect very nicely.

Human emotions dont resonate with anything more than melancholy because deep down we all live in grey. Chhotolok has everything of making a brilliant thriller; slowburning sustained suspense, tightly knit screenplay, no short cut to climax and resolution. But above all, the melancholy it emanates, of our fractured realities, our own selves and hypocrisies, leaves us with a pensive contemplation. The director, Indranil Roychowdhury is known for his minimalist style and brilliant capability of storytelling, has created a masterpiece here.

The plotline with its twist and turns first becomes a successful thriller but then transcends into a social critique. It captures the class ridden society, its hierarchies, conflicts and pragmatism of the 'powerless' which is often imcomprehensible in today's 'society of control'. The director and writers didn't fall into the usual OTT trope using unncessary violence to make it gore which often looks imposed and superficial, indeed they were able to reflect the deeply entrenched structural violence using the firey acting by Daminee Basu and Priyanka Sarkar alongwith the amazing cast.

This is indeed a gem and hopefully we will be seeing more of it in coming years.