Chaalchitro: The Frame Fatale

This film depicts a cat-and-mouse game between a cop and a serial killer on loose. While most of Indian murder mystery thrillers encircles on whodunit or howdunit, but this movie delves on whydunit genre which is in a way quite gripping.

The direction by #PratimDGupta is impeccable. He is not 'one of the', but the most underdog or underrated directors of Kolkata or Bengali Cinema, who has been silently and most consistently making wellcrafted films seasonally. With a perfect profile of work, his narrative style is non-linear mostly, but his story and screenplay with dialogues are well-written and engaging throughout.

Cinematography is of high order.

Editing is razor-sharp and crispiest to the core. The cuts are seamless and smartly executed and juxtaposed.

Music and the background score is respectively foot tapping and haunting as per the screenplay.

As per the performances are concerned, the actors have excelled in their individual parts with distinction marks. Even the supporting actors looked tailor-made.

Their Production house has made a superb and smart film.

Elderly people may give it a pass but urban audience must watch it to see a different side of Smarter and Literate Tollywood. Kudos to the whole team. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Chaalchitro! It seems like the film had a solid buildup with gripping intensity but lost momentum towards the end. A rushed climax can sometimes take away from the overall impact, especially in crime thrillers where suspense and resolution are key elements.

Comparing it to Mukhosh is a great point since that film maintained its intensity throughout, keeping viewers engaged till the very end. Turning Chaalchitro into a web series makes sense-it could have given more time to develop the characters, build deeper suspense, and craft a more satisfying conclusion.

Sometimes a film can have great individual elements like strong performances and cinematography, but if the storytelling feels raw or underdeveloped, it affects the overall experience. Maybe the pacing and screenplay could have been tighter to give the narrative a more polished feel.

Kolkata is rocked by a gruesome murder, and the case lands on the desk of two seasoned detectives, Kanishka Chatterjee (Tota Roy Chowdhury) and Naseer (Anirban Chakrabarti) from the Kolkata Police Detective Department. Their instincts kick in as they notice an eerie resemblance to an old case. Joining the chase are the spirited young IPS officer Ritesh Kumar (Shantanu Maheshwari) and the dependable Bishwa (Indrajeet Bose). But as the investigation unfolds, the city's streets turn red with more victims, and the pressure mounts.

Nothing sets the mood on a winter night like a bone-chilling thriller, and Pratim D. Gupta delivers one with flair. Packed with a delectable plot and a handful of red herrings, the film pulls viewers into a rollercoaster of suspense. While it occasionally teeters on predictability, the story's pace, intensity, and edge-of-your-seat twists make it nearly impossible to look away.

Pratim masterfully scatters the pieces of his puzzle, leaving the audience to play detective. The first half grips you with razor-sharp efficiency, as every twist pulls you deeper into the mystery. Though the second half leans more heavily on its surprises, the film keeps the guessing game alive till the very end, ensuring a thoroughly entertaining ride.

Chaalchitro - The Frame Fatale is not for the faint-hearted. The gruesome murders depicted in the film are disturbing but essential to the narrative. Kanishka and his team's investigation is a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with dead ends, revelations, and moments of despair. What I loved most was the authenticity of the detective work. The procedural elements are detailed and believable, drawing you into the world of the investigators.

Kanishka's struggle with his past adds an emotional core to the film, making it more than just a crime thriller. The climax ties the threads together in a way that's both satisfying and chilling. This is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

While the narrative may have a couple of shortcomings, the film is always one step ahead of you. The sharp editing and the crisp runtime further accentuate the depiction of police procedures and the execution of the crimes. Though it veers away from typical buddy-cop tropes, a limited series format might have allowed the story more room to breathe and develop.

The film does well in exploring the personal crises of its lead characters, weaving their emotional struggles seamlessly into the narrative. These moments of dramatic turmoil enhance, rather than detract from, the story. However, one subplot feels underdeveloped, contributing little to the overall plot. The interpersonal dynamics between the police officers are a highlight. Their differing priorities shape their approaches to the case, and the restrained use of banter ensures the focus remains on the events rather than the characters. Unlike many Bengali crime thrillers, the balance between character development and plot progression is handled adeptly here. That is where Chaalchitro scores, reaching a new height in Bengali cinema.