Review : R Balki’s intelligent and original Chup: Revenge of the Artist gives enough chills!
In the film business, for donkey’s years, a film is previewed by critics before it’s release and their ‘stars’ play an important part in the business of the movie. But do they? It’s a debatable point. A great film maker Guru Dutt’s Kagaz Ke Phool was run down by critics and he did not make a movie after that. Contrary to that Sholay was run down by critics and the first couple of weeks were disastrous, business wise but it went on to make history later, collection wise and otherwise. R Balki known for meaningful cinema puts across a point whether critics’ reviews really matter for the audiences. A film critic turned script writer Raja Sen along with Rishi Virmani has knitted a suspense thriller plot around films and critics. Its critique of criticism is largely on point.
A psychopath killer is on rampage killing film critics over poor ratings for films. He artistically slits victims body to match their wordings in the reviews. In comes Inspector Arvind Mathur (Sunny Deol) who in unable to trace the killer, because the culprit is smart enough to leave any trace. On the sidelines an entertainment reporter Nila (Shreya Dhanwantary) gets curious about a florist in Bandra, Danny (Dulquer Salman) while purchasing orchids for her blind mother (Saranya Ponvannan). He too likes her and their subtle love story blossoms till she finds a secret about him. In the meanwhile Inspector Mathur advises all the critics to stop reviewing films till the killer is arrested. But when there’s no progress in the case he decides to risk Nila’s life, by asking her to review a film negatively giving just one star, to lure the killer in his trap. What happens next and in between forms the storyline of Chup.
R Balki keeps a good tempo in the first half where suspense is created. He has used an original concept to create thrills in which he is quite successful. His intelligence peeps through his framings. But in between when the killer’s identity is revealed it’s a tedious wait for the viewers. Songs like ‘Jaane Kya Tune Kahi’ and ‘Yeh Duniya Agar Mil bhi jaaye’ from Guru Dutt’s ‘Pyaasa’ are beautifully used to create mystical atmosphere. The screenplay gets weaker towards the end and justification for killer’s psyche offered was uncalled for. It looks like glorification of the character just because it’s been played by an established actor. The background score complements the narrative. Sunny Deol is at his dashing best but his abilities seems to be under utilised. Dulquer Salmaan is good but the role demands much more. The complexity required from the character seemed missing. Shreya Dhanwantary is effortless and scores high in acting department. Pooja Bhatt’s cameo is good. Amitabh Bachchan’s one scene is like a breath of fresh air. Saranya Ponvannan too is too good.
R Balki’s intelligent, unique and original Chup: Revenge of the Artist is definitely a one time watch.
***
Keerti Kadam.
