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. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

What stands out in the film is the interpersonal development that would compel the audience to empathise with not just the lead but the smaller, yet extremely significant characters. One such would be Anirban Chakrabarti (Naseer) and his daughter Putul's (Tanika Basu) relationship. The father-daughter dynamic is remarkable. On the other hand, Shantanu Maheshwari as the newbie officer, Ritesh, strikes a firm balance between tenderness and toughness, while Inderjeet Bose as the gym-going, intake-conscious cop Bishwa has a tender soul that shines through. This is perhaps where Chaalchitro wins, where the characters come alive through simple brushstrokes. Bratya Basu's tiny role makes an incredible impact in the overall tone of the film, while Tanika Basu plays Putul with a beautiful balance where many may go overboard.

The drama intensifies significantly in the first half, but in the second half, loses its steam a little bit, only to draw out a strong climax.

It saddens me to say that as a Bangali, I have never seen a classic thriller on the OTT platform that can engage or keep the viewers, forget grabbing the arm of the chair but at least have their brows frown for a minute! When crime thrillers like Pataal Lok, Delhi Crimes, etc keep piling up, the Bangla Industry could not even produce ONE!

This film industry is certainly blessed to have films like Sonar Kella, Joy Baba Felunath, and Kuheli & since then, the same industry has come to believe garbage over content & performance! Has the Bangla Film Industry started collecting scripts from the trash of those who are making masterpieces mentioned as references, above?

3 Stars from me: 1 for Tota, 1 for Anirban and the 3rd for the lady who played the character of a differently abled girl. The rest (in major roles) were as good as the movie itself, which is ZERO, especially that Marwari boy, whose character was as important as the actor playing it!

Could have been better had they dropped the plan of making this piece of paper!

Chaalchitro is a gripping masterpiece that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The intricately woven plot and the raw portrayal of human emotions elevate it beyond a mere crime thriller. The brilliant performances, especially by Tota Roychoudhury and Indrajeet Bose, bring an intense realism to the narrative. The suspense is palpable, and the climax left me awestruck. It's not just a movie-it's an experience that stays with you long after the credits roll. A must-watch for anyone who loves a well-crafted cinematic journey. It's a bold, refreshing take on crime thrillers that will resonate with audiences across generations.

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.