Opening Doorz
“Celebrating Life”
Anurag Kashyap like Tisca Chopra is brilliant in his act. Surveen Chawla, as usual, tops up with another scintillating performance. Watch out for the two statements that change the course of the narrative. Take a bow, Mansi Jain, Chhuri is sharp. Very sharp.
By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | December 21, 2017
Rating: 4.5 / 5
The essence: Two statements, hinged at crucial junctures within the plot, change the course of the narrative. Take a bow, Mansi Jain. Chhuri is sharp. Very sharp.
In just under 13 minutes, director Mansi Jain delivers a knock-out punch, slicing through even without the use of a knife!
Protagonist Tisca Chopra, who plays Meera the harassed housewife, is unwittingly goaded to put an end to her husband Sharad’s (Anurag Kashyap) philandering ways by a nondescript comment, “You are hopeless” from her teenaged daughter who senses the tension within the family. Meera takes the comment to heart and swiftly moves in to clinically dissect the situation. No showdown, no histrionics, no blood: A simple, calm mind coupled with ‘coming to terms with her situation’ yanks off the lid that is masking this sham.
As a viewer, you are breathless as Meera climbs the many floors to the tower where the ‘other woman’ (Surveen Chawla) lives. In case you are wondering why she has to climb the floors, the lift is under repairs. It also throws light on her resolve to bring matters to rest, no matter what! Tisca sucks you into her situation with her brilliant act. Gasping for breath, she strikes a deal, coming straight to the point, wanting to share her husband. After initial awkwardness, it is understood that the ‘other woman’ has a busy schedule throughout the week. Hidden in the closet, Sharad goes through a gamut of emotions before he finally breathes easy when Meera steps out of the house in which she stepped into unannounced.
“Sharm nahi aati?” (“Aren’t you ashamed”?) he throws an accusing comment at his mistress as his world comes crashing down. This is the moment of truth: Surveen speaks a thousand words with her expressions within those three fleeting seconds when the camera pans her surprised face!
Anurag Kashyap like Tisca Chopra is brilliant in his act. Surveen Chawla, as usual, tops up with another scintillating performance.
Watch out for the two statements that change the course of the narrative. Take a bow, Mansi Jain, Chhuri is sharp. Very, very sharp.
CREDITS
Royal Stag Large Short Films
Producer: Vipul D Shah, Tisca Chopra
Director: Mansi Jain
Star Cast: Anurag Kashyap, Tisca Chopra, Surveen Chawla
