Chauraahein is that rare indie film from Bollywood that impresses with a story line sans heavy street-smart one liners and in your face urban sexuality.
Comprising of four stories written originally by Nirmal Verma, Chaurahen tells the tale of people living in three cities. Separate stories, separate lives, strung together by the common fact that all of them are looking for that ray of hope while trudging along daily, emotional baggage in tow.
So be it a couple who cannot come to terms with the husbands parents death, an lonely single woman at a bar being courted by a soldier, an aging man in an affair with a young nymph, or a closeted gay living up to his parents idea of a life, every character in the film is burdened by their inner ghosts and in search for redemption outside.
As heavy as that might sound, Chaurahen has a distinctly light treatment and feel giving an interesting take to every characters troubles. Director Rajshree Ojha, who gave us the shallow and pretentious Aisha, manages to create moments on screen that are not too dramatic, yet effective enough to strike a chord.
Zeenat Aman, Soha Ali Khan and southern actor Karthik are the most noteworthy turns here, bringing in their experience and spontaneity to roles that are tailor made. Soha, especially, exudes a brilliance that is reminiscent of her illustrious actress mother- a pity she has not got her due yet in Hindi cinema.
The films music, crisscrossing genres from Indian music milieu and the understated cinematography match the directors vision and sensitivity of the stories. Gelling in with the flow of the story, they enhance the emotions while never overpowering the scenes of the actors.
Chaurahen lacks the obvious star power and glamor of item songs; it does not even have a hummable catchy song that would stick to the mind once you are out of the hall, preventing some from actually spending those two hundred bucks for a hall experience. Watch it nonetheless, for it is definitely not a bad watch.view less
Comprising of four stories written originally by Nirmal Verma, Chaurahen tells the tale of people living in three cities. Separate stories, separate lives, strung together by the common fact that all of them are looking for that ray of hope while trudging along daily, emotional baggage in tow.
So be it a couple who cannot come to terms with the husbands parents death, an lonely single woman at a bar being courted by a soldier, an aging man in an affair with a young nymph, or a closeted gay living up to his parents idea of a life, every character in the film is burdened by their inner ghosts and in search for redemption outside.
As heavy as that might sound, Chaurahen has a distinctly light treatment and feel giving an interesting take to every characters troubles. Director Rajshree Ojha, who gave us the shallow and pretentious Aisha, manages to create moments on screen that are not too dramatic, yet effective enough to strike a chord.
Zeenat Aman, Soha Ali Khan and southern actor Karthik are the most noteworthy turns here, bringing in their experience and spontaneity to roles that are tailor made. Soha, especially, exudes a brilliance that is reminiscent of her illustrious actress mother- a pity she has not got her due yet in Hindi cinema.
The films music, crisscrossing genres from Indian music milieu and the understated cinematography match the directors vision and sensitivity of the stories. Gelling in with the flow of the story, they enhance the emotions while never overpowering the scenes of the actors.
Chaurahen lacks the obvious star power and glamor of item songs; it does not even have a hummable catchy song that would stick to the mind once you are out of the hall, preventing some from actually spending those two hundred bucks for a hall experience. Watch it nonetheless, for it is definitely not a bad watch.view less
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