Chillar Party Review

Id said this before and Id like to repeat it here: If you don have a star in your film, the story of your film better be the star attraction, the champ. CHILLAR PARTY may be backed by star names, but it doesn have a star to call the shots. Thankfully, the story of CHILLAR PARTY does the talking!

Childrens films are rarely attempted in Bollywood, though film-makers often talk of luring not just adults but also kids when they plan a film project. Post KACCHA LIMBOO and STANLEY KA DABBA, CHILLAR PARTY attempts to focus entirely on kids. Eight kids stand up to a mighty politician, their mission is to save a dog that belongs to an urchin whos part of their group. The film actually advocates a message in the garb of entertainment: Children can bridge the class difference thats prevalent in the society. Honest intentions, indeed!

Ive often felt that children are more impulsive, more courageous and have a completely non-manipulative approach towards life, unlike adults, and it is this quality that makes them take on the odds head-on. CHILLAR PARTY depicts the courage with which they stand up against their parents and also a powerful politician to fight for a just cause. The cause is most noble and if you e a dog lover [like me], youd simply want to be one with the kids in this agitation and fight the unscrupulous politician tooth and nail. And thats precisely why CHILLAR PARTY works. It evokes the right feelings. It knocks on your conscience.

CHILLAR PARTY is not just meant for kids, but also grownups. Besides, as a film, it changes the perception that kiddie films in India tackle childish issues. This one, in fact, tackles a sensitive issue that plagues our society. Also, as a story, the film has its moments that make you emotional and euphoric, when the kids win the combat.

CHILLAR PARTY tells the story of a gang of innocent but feisty kids who lead a carefree and fun-filled life in Chandan Nagar Colony. Soon, Fatka and his pet Bheedu come into their lives and they become an inseparable part of the Chillar Party. The lives of these kids get difficult when Bheedus life is endangered, thanks to a mean politician. How they take on the mighty opponent in their own way forms the crux of the story.

Unlike KACCHA LIMBOO and STANLEY KA DABBA, CHILLAR PARTY doesn get into the serious zone, although it does tackle a serious issue. Thats because directors Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl balance the dramatic portions with light moments admirably. At the same time, the film retains the innocence that one expects from films that have kids enacting principal and pivotal characters. Right from the time when the kids and the urchin have issues with each other to taking up cudgels against the wrong-doers, a number of sequences involving the kids have that certain spark that cannot be described in mere words.

The sole flaw is the placement of Ranbir Kapoors song in the film. Its wrongly placed after the end credits. What a waste, since the viewers wouldve only made an exit by then.

Directors Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl have handled several moments with expertise. Drawing as good as real performances from the kids is an arduous task indeed and you need to hand it to the duo for not only choosing the right set of actors, but also making them look convincing in their parts. Also, Id like to make a note of the dialogue spoken in the enterprise. Its exactly like the way we hear kids speaking in real life.

Every kid in the film pitches in a winning performance - Jhangiya [enacted by Naman], Shaolin [Divij], Enclyclopedia [Sanath], Silencer [Vedant], Aflatoon [Aarav], Panauti [Chinmay], Toothpaste [Sherya], Akram [Rohan], Second Hand [Visshesh] and Fatka [Irfan Khan]. It would be unfair and unjust to single out just one of them. As a matter of fact, you just can help but fall in love with each of them. Ditto for the supporting actors, who enact the role of the parents and also the conniving politician.

On the whole, CHILLAR PARTY is not just for kids, but for grownups as well. A story of grit and determination, it works not just as an entertainer, but also advocates a message rather strongly. A film that deserves to be tax-exempted so that it reaches out to a wider audience. A small film with a gigantic spirit... Encourage this one!