Cheeni Film Review
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Cheeni Film Review
The film should have been named "Mishti" instead of "Cheeni" as Aparajita's portrayal of Mishti steals the spotlight. She brings to life a carefree and liberated mother in her fifties who has found her freedom after the passing of her abusive husband. While Cheeni, played by Madhumita, is the central character and delivers a commendable performance, it is Aparajita who shines with her portrayal of a woman embracing life.
The storyline bears the trademark Mainak touch, striking a balance between millennial themes and those transcending generations. Cheeni, a 20th-century woman, faces her own battles, juggling a demanding career, maintaining her relationship, and confronting personal demons that stem from her dysfunctional family background. On the other hand, Sudip, her long-time partner, holds more conservative values and dreams of a stable relationship and a family of their own. Despite both women grappling with demons rooted in their shared past, there exists a significant divide between Cheeni and Mishti. This drama takes center stage in the film, intertwined with moments of humor.
Overall, "Mishti" captures the essence of the film better than "Cheeni" would have. Aparajita's performance, combined with Mainak's storytelling, creates a compelling narrative that blends generational dynamics with humor and emotional depth.
It’s actually the humour that adds that right balance to the film, which otherwise has a rather serious premise. And this is one of the areas where Aparajita shines. She is all fluid eloquence when it comes to delivering hilarious one-liners to having a verbal spat with a tenant. Madhumita joins her league when it comes to throwing tantrums and crossing swords with her mother. Though Saurav is slightly overshadowed by the two women on screen, he manages to stand his own with some nice low-key acting. This helps him stand out, in stark contrast to the two tantrum queens.
Technically speaking, the film is a great watch also because the camera manages to catch every expression in scenes with intense drama. The balanced use of tight and mid shots makes the drama very immersive, while minimising the need to go into too much detail in terms of production design. The characters and their moods and emotions are the focus of the camera from the start till the end.
Overall, "Cheeni" is a heartwarming family drama that appeals to audiences of all ages and provides a delightful and entertaining experience. It is highly recommended to watch it on the big screen as it offers a much-needed escape from the monotonous year that 2020 has been.