Chhello Show review: Pan Nalin's film is a visually appealing trip to wistfulness

3/5

Story:

Samay watches a movie and wonders what happens behind the projector to be able to see a story play out. Soon after that, he aspires to become a filmmaker. Despite the obvious hurdles, the young boy is determined to achieve his dreams and takes every step towards it.

Review:

"Filmon banaava maate vaarta keva aavdha joye (If you want to make a film, know how to tell a story)," follows a dialogue in Chhello Show. As much as we wanted it to hold true, this film, which is India's official Oscar entry tells a story but not in the most effective way.

Like every art film, this one begins witn a background, that young Samay, played by Bhavin Rabari, is a poor kid with big dreams. The picturization of it, of course, is flawless. It is simplistic but somehow, also appealing.

The movie makes you feel the nostalgia. It takes you back to the times of visiting movie theatres before online booking came into being. Apart from that, Chhello Show is also a world of colours. The magic of RGB could not be portrayed more beautifully.

Bhavin doesn't even have to try to look cute. His dialogues and expression are a match and that makes him an actor to look out for. His interest in movies is established early on and he brings out the passion for movies perfectly.

Richa Meena as Baa makes her entry soon. She is cute but plays the typical aadarsh patni and maa but that's about it.

This one is a rags-to-riches story. It is almost like Chhello Show was made keeping Oscars in mind. The movie shows India's culture - right from food to travel and some lifestyle, pretty well.

The expected happens but since the makers manage to bring the magic of cinema to the forth, that feeling of knowing can be overlooked. Chhello Show is something every cinephile will love for the same reason - because movies are a world that take you away from the real-life. It is where all the magic happens.

Not just cinephiles, the film also caters to the foodies. From chai to homemade Indian food, the movie has beautifully added food to the hunger for more and better cinema.

How many times have you tried been mesmerized by the sun? This film finds a way to make you love it again.

Bhavesh Srimali as Mr. Fazal makes a cameo appearance and nails it. He becomes as loved as Bhavin.

Rahul Koli as Manu has recently passed away from cancer. The child actor will leave an imprint on your mind through this movie which spurs magic.

Dipen Raval as Mr. Trivedi, Tia Sebastian as Leela Mila and Vijay Mer as Tiku also play their parts well. It is not the actors but the second half of the movie which fails you. Even if Pan Nalin has tried to maintain the level of the film, it is almost two stories woven into one another.

If the first half of the film lets you experience the magic, the second half shatters those exact dreams, even literally. The scenes just seem never-ending and by the end of it, you are just left to wonder why. Why does this movie not accept change when it so beautifully embraced the concept early on? When did the story shift from Samay to sobbing? Alas, that's just the many moments of wistfulness.

Verdict:

Pan Nalin's film is a great upgrade in Gujarati cinema and even though it is good, it's not perfect. It is not at the Bollywood or Hollywood level yet, for sure. Nonetheless, Chhello Show, backed by Kapur Roy Films, is a great effort at bringing forth the magic of retro cinema. If you want to be taken back to those times, go ahead and watch the first half. Most of it is worth it.