Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley

Low rating of this show is mainly because many reviews were written only after watching first episode as the pilot was released first and the whole show later.

As for the show, it is very well made by Vishal Bharadwaj in his trademark style. Highlight of the show is the female lead Wamiqa Gabbi who despite of a star studded cast, shines in the series especially the Fleabagish fourth wall breaking.

The show is a bit sluggish in the middle but the reveal is very good. The music is soothing and Rekha Bharadwaj songs are a treat for ears. The show is the adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel. Go for it.

Featuring a standout ensemble, 'Charlie Chopra And The Mystery Of Solang Valley' showcases stellar performances from some of Indian entertainment's finest. Wamiqa Gabbi shines as the aspiring private investigator, delivering a refined and engaging performance. The supporting cast, including Priyanshu Painyulli, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Lara Dutta, Vivaan Shah, Imaad Shah, Gulshan Grover, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and Baharul Islam, all leave a lasting impression, with standout moments despite the extensive lineup.

Vishal Bhardwaj, the master of adapting classics, works his magic again with Agatha Christie's 'Charlie Chopra And The Mystery Of Solang Valley.' Bhardwaj's uncanny ability to recreate the essence of well-known authors is evident, infusing the series with atmospheric storytelling and an admirable Indian touch. While the series diverges slightly from the original, it remains intriguing, with a gripping narrative and a commendable cast.

The Shah family's collective presence, a first in filmmaking history, adds an interesting dimension. However, the constant breaking of the fourth wall by the protagonist, Charlie, feels distracting and frivolous, diminishing the somber touch needed for Christie's works. Despite these flaws, the series is a well-crafted addition to Agatha Christie adaptations, with a relatively short runtime that enhances its crisp storytelling. Though the climax could use more cinematic flair, 'Charlie Chopra And The Mystery Of Solang Valley' is engaging, entertaining, and worth a one-time watch.

Vishal Bhardwaj's original score is both esoteric and highly enjoyable. Ketan Sodha and Debarpito Saha's background music complements the series without being overly flashy. Tassaduq Hussain's cinematography, while not groundbreaking, is solid, and Manas Mittal's editing is efficiently done.

A great 6 episodes suspense thriller having great stat cast, well made episodes and a new detective character Charlie Chopra ,a bubbly & master spy . Off course good old Hercule Poirot is missed.

Sets, story telling, direction and acting are top class with old time suspense thriller having story of a fascinating hill station.

Feels like suspense of a english classic spy thriller in the class of Christie & Sherlock. A fascinating presentation by the director & producers. Indian audience want more of such adaptation . May be some of the actors are not utilised fully like thespian Naseer. But overall all the actors chipin with mature performance. Charlie rocks.

Well I criticized the first episode and wrote...

Hopefully the upcoming episodes have something good to offer. This review is based on the pilot episode.

Since I am a fan of Agatha Christie's work, I could be over critical.

But now after watching the complete season 1, I must say it's a good watch. Acting is good but some scenes are very fast paced, but that I think is because of the six episode limit of the season. The only thing I wanted a clear answer of was how did the killer was identified, that was not hinted properly. Otherwise a good one time watch. Priyanshu is a good actor, hopeful to see him in the upcoming seasons too.

The location and videography are great. You almost feel the cold weather. But there has been overuse of breaking-the-fourth-wall (characters talking directly to the audience). There is also unnecessary use of humor in a murder plot which is like chunks of chocolate in a spicy curry - you enjoy neither. There are too many detours and interruptions especially when the main character Charlie talks directly to the audience. Instead of us organically discovering the personalities of various characters and the nuance of a situation; we are given an explanation by Charlie.

A murder mystery needs to keep you on the edge but this felt more like a chick flick. The story does not keep you hooked. You can take a loo break and not feel the urge to resume watching the show afterwards.