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 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.

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.

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.

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.