“Review: Chattriwali – A Bold Attempt with Room for Improvement”
Starring Rakul Preet Singh, Sumeet Vyas, Satish Kaushik, Rajesh Tailang, Dolly Ahluwalia, Prachee Shah Paandya, Rakesh Bedi, and Riva Arora, under the direction of Tejas Prabhaa Vijay Deoskar and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Chattriwali takes a daring dive into the realm of social taboos with its direct OTT release on ZEE5.
The story revolves around Ratan Lamba (Satish Kaushik), the owner of a condom company in Karnal, who urgently seeks a quality control head. Sanya Dhingra (Rakul Preet Singh), struggling for employment, reluctantly takes up the job, eventually embracing it. However, complications arise when her conservative husband, Rishi (Sumeet Vyas), discovers her profession, leading to a series of confrontations and revelations.
The film’s commendable aspect lies in its exploration of sensitive topics such as condom usage and the societal implications of contraceptive practices. Rakul Preet Singh delivers a compelling performance as Sanya, effectively carrying the weight of the narrative. Rajesh Tailang’s portrayal adds depth to the storyline, especially in the second half.
However, Chattriwali falls short in its execution, suffering from sporadic pacing and a lack of engaging moments, particularly evident in the tedious first half. Despite its pertinent message, the film struggles to maintain audience interest due to predictable storytelling and superficial character development.
Technical elements such as music and cinematography offer modest contributions, while the editing ensures a cohesive viewing experience. Director Tejas Prabhaa Vijay Deoskar’s handling of the narrative, though earnest, leaves room for improvement, with a tighter screenplay and more nuanced character arcs being desirable.
In conclusion, Chattriwali serves as a commendable effort in advocating for sexual education, buoyed by strong performances and select impactful scenes. However, its potential remains unrealized due to narrative shortcomings, making it a passable watch primarily for its thematic relevance.