BALKI has given us movies which have a different line of thinking. Chinni Kam, PAA, SHAMITABH, KI and KA, and PADMAN. Stories that you don’t find everywhere else, and CHUP is an addition to the list. So, when one walked into the theatre, it was high on expectation and excitement. And when I walked out – there were mixed reactions.
The concept is simple and straight. Film critics are being murdered after the reviews they write. A serial killer is on the prowl. What is the motivation, who is doing it, and why? So, get it. No one has tried this line before, and it is unique and bold.
The movie, too, is tightly framed and edited. The pace is nice, and it makes you want to know more. This is till the interval and after that like the rest of the directors. Balki, too, tries to wrap the story fast, connecting the dots for the audience, which is done in a jiffy. No more time is lost between the police and the killer in the cat-mouse game. In fact, the killer takes the silliest of the bait and serves himself on a platter to the police. Too simple. An opportunity missed. The murderer is predictable, and Balki also does not hide him for long.
CAST PERFORMANCE
Danny (Dulquer Salmaan), a florist in Bandra, Mumbai and journalist Nila (Shreya Dhanwanthary), do their job well. In fact, they woo you. And while the romance builds up, film critic is being murder5ed. The case is before Arvind Mathur (Sunny Deol), and in the city that never sleeps – he is under pressure to find the murderer. Pooja Bhatt (Dr Zenobia Shroff), who helps the inspector understand the serial killer’s mindset, is fine. In fact, I loved her presence in the film.
REFERENCE
There is a Guru Dutt reference and the way he stopped making films after KAGAZ KE PHOOL, which the critics bombed but later was considered a legend. This is maybe the director’s reminder for people to be unique in storytelling.
NET NET
CHUP is a unique story, at least worth a one-time watch. Hope CHUP can pull the audience into the theatre. CHUP is good, but the end is something that leaves the audience unsatiated. There are flaws and things that may irritate you- but then why should everything be perfect? Just go and enjoy a different story reasonably well told.
ASIDE.
Somehow SERIAL KILLERS as a subject has interested me. And in recent times, have read one book on serial killers and watched a few OTT series and movies. Out of them, one was CUTPUTLI and that you can definitely avoid.
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