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Absolute Review: Chup: Revenge Of The Artist: Sunny Deol and Dulquer Salmaan’s Chup holds the power to speak for itself

By Shachi Chaturvedi

Cast: Sunny Deol (Arvind Mathur), Dulquer Salmaan (Danny), Shreya Dhanwanthary (Nila Menon), Saranya Ponvannan (Nila’s mother) and Pooja Bhatt (Zenobia)

Writer & Director: R Balki

Runtime: 2h 16m

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis

A psychopath is murdering film critics one by one in the most heinous way possible. Can the cops catch him before the next film review is published?

Review

The film’s plot begins with the first murder, which introduces the world to a serial killer. A serial killer who murders film critics solely for their unfair ratings and sarcastic reviews. The film lacks suspense as the audience learns who the real killer is very quickly. It is typical R. Balki cinema which examines the world around us in a variety of ways. His stories are about the absurdity in the ordinary, as well as the eyes that creates the absurdity in the first place.

The filmmaker, along with his co-writers Raja Sen (a renowned film critic) and Rishi Virmani creates a story that delves into virgin lands and is as delicate as a castle of cards, one wrong step and the entire castle crumbles in an instant.

Technically, this film meets the criteria for a good film. It appeals to the eyes by creating tension with the camera. Perfect close-ups and top shots remind us that the cameraman attempted to emulate Dutt’s style somewhere. To be sure, there are many nostalgic moments in the film, and the intentional homage to Guru Dutt by including chartbusters such as ‘Jaane kya tune kahi’ and ‘Yeh Duniya agar mil bhi jaaye’ from his classic ‘Pyaasa’ was an incredible attempt. In addition, the film pays homage to Guru Dutt’s incredible work, Kaagaz Ke Phool. Balki wins the show when he decides to include a final chapter in the last 10 minutes of the show, bringing two lives full circle.

When it comes to character performances, Sunny Deol has literally acted well in the film, though you can see him pulling an OG Sunny Deol when he jumps out of a window and lands in a studio, crossing an entire corridor of the building.

Dulquer Salmaan’s Danny was a visual treat; the boy Danny has several personalities and talks to his own other personality in general. Dulquer’s role has a few layers, but he portrays the character of Danny Urf Sebastion Pinto very well.

Amitabh Bachchan’s cameo in the film came as a surprise, and it’s lovely to see him as Bachchan Sahab, saying things that only Amitabh Bachchan can say.

Shreya Dhanwanthary, who plays Nila Menon, an entertainment reporter and Danny’s love interest, has clearly left an impression on the audience. Pooja Bhatt has a limited but notable role as a criminal psychologist.

Speaking of the rest of the cast who contributed to the film’s success. Each character in the film has its own significance, and each character has contributed to the film’s excellence.

The film has elements of the old school Pehli Najar ka Pyar that can be seen when Danny and Nila fall in love. When it comes to movie soundtracks, the songs are relaxing and scary at the same place. The background music contributes to the suspense. This film makes excellent use of some classics in the most appropriate context.

Conclusion:

The film focuses on the extraordinary and never-touched-before issue of how biasedness can turn an artist into a criminal. The movie has a few loopholes but as a whole, it is a decent film. It is definitely time well spent.

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