Source: Hungama
Show's Name - Chameli (2004)
Creator's Name - Sudhir Mishra and Anant Balani
Genre - Drama
Release - 9 January 2004
Runtime - 1h 48 min
Language- Hindi
Synopsis - Spoiler Alert
The protagonist of the movie is a prostitute, Chameli (played by Kareena Kapoor Khan) who has an unexpected meeting with Aman Kapoor (played by Rahul Bose) a stressed investment banker. The movie is a tale of that one night and how things unfurl. The movie shows more to the woman than her work. Her complexities, what pushed her into the work, and what perhaps goes inside her psyche. Aman’s tragic loss of his pregnant wife and his share of complexities.
Chameli is shown as a jovial yet sharp girl who deals with her problems and carries a very chilled-out attitude. However, she is debt-ridden to Naik and Usman. Trying to escape from being caught, Aman eventually pays off the debt for Chameli. However Usman tries to steal more money from Aman and threatens the latter with a knife and in the events that follow, Usman is stabbed in the scuffle. What follows thereafter is a series of events that bring out a lot of real stories to the surface.
About the Director
The movie is directed by Sudhir Mishra and Late Anant Balani. Mishra is best known for his work like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), Calcutta Mail (2003), and Dharavi (1992). He has an experience of over 30 years. He was felicitated by the Government of India with three National Awards from the President of India, as well as Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government.
Anant Balani was a film director and screenwriter, who directed films like Gawahi, Patthar Ke Phool, and Chameli, during the filming process of which he passed away.
Themes Involved
The movie is a tale of one night and portrays the life of those whose lives are way less luxurious. The movie doesn’t show the business of prostitution as a pitiful one, or one about female agency, but rather as any other work but with dangers. There is more to Chameli than her body, and work. She is a woman of substance and character.
Public Verdict
The movie tanked at the box office but was critically acclaimed for its nuances, performances, and plot. The dialogue and the music were also appreciated. The movie to date is counted as one of the best and most intriguing ones with a lot of artistic details.
The movie got several awards. Aseem Bajaj’s Best Cinematography got the Asian Festival of First Films’ Swarovski Trophy, an IIFA Award, and a Filmfare Award too. Kareena Kapoor also got the Filmfare Special Award for Best Performance too.
An Adaptation?
The movie is not an adaptation. It is a totally original work.
What Makes It a Must-Watch?
The movie should be watched for every bit of it. Its dialogues, acting, and story. Kareena Kapoor gave one of the best performances of her career. The supporting cast is also on point. The songs are also very apt and beautiful.
The different perspective and the details along with the simplistic yet complicated storyline is what makes the movie worth your time. It is absolutely genius to see how just a story of one night can bring so much onto the plate. It also compels us to think how so much is concealed in the routine and mundane and how in perhaps one night our lives can change and we can see our life unfold dramatically.
The Bottom Line
The movie is a peaceful recluse that can be watched at the end of a long week. It will make you smile, go awe and most importantly think. It makes you ponder upon life and choices and how our choices impact and shape our future. Kareena Kapoor proves her mettle as an actress and Rahul Bose also brings his commendable acting to the plate.
The movie is idle to watch once and to keep coming back to understand and analyze the underlying thoughts of the narrative.
My ratings for the movie - are 5 out of 5
You may watch the movie on Disney+Hotstar
Written By - Ananya Verma
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