Chotushkone (2014)

Sadly Over-hyped

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Could have been a masterpiece but faltered at the last hurdle, mainly due to the casting choice of the director. Parambrata has an easy going style of acting, but it is too stereotype, and it is high time somebody takes his place in the industry, as someone already has, the one very talented Ritwik Chakraborty. Another choice was Chiranjeet, though I heard Anjan Dutta was Srijit's original preference. He, however, did not do that bad, though Mr Dutta could have been a class apart. A thriller is bound to pivot around its climax and it could have been a clincher, if not for a weak performance by Param. This role was tailor-made for Ritwik. The director missed a big trick there. Ritwik could have clinched it for him in that last scene. Otherwise, the direction was masterful, Srijit himself is the real star of this movie. Use of colour, style of storytelling, cinematography, wonderful songs and their picturisations, all make it a worthy viewable experience. Would have wanted to give a 6.5, but IMDB not allowing so, sorry for being harsh here... 6/10.

It is an amazing movie with a very simple start where four people start pitching their stories one by one and has an unexpected end. A must see!

Chotushkone or Quadrangle is a Bengali mystery and thriller movie revolving around the life of four people associated with Bengali cinema. The central characters- Trina, played by Aparna Sen, Dipto, played by Chiranjeet Chakraborty, Shakha, played by Goutam Ghose and Joybroto, played by Parambrata Chatterjee are hired by an apparently mysterious producer to make a film by stitching four different short stories with a common theme- 'death.' During their discussions about the project and their journey to meet this producer they open to us their emotions, attachments, regrets and secrets of their past. Here it must be said that this movie breathes a fresh air from the ossified Bengali mystery-thriller genre. It has enough elements to be liked by both the present and the past generations.The story is interesting, actors do a good job (though I didn't understand the concept behind selection of so many other well known actors for bit roles), the music by Anupam Roy led by Bosonto Eshe Geche is good.However the real star of the movie is director Srijit Mukherji. He does an outstanding job of storytelling previously unseen (by me at least) in Indian cinema. He story unfolded by him is of perfect pace to keep our interest aroused. I do not want to give away any spoilers, so watch the movie instead. Contrary to accusations of gimmicky camera-work in his previous movies he uses it brilliantly here and funnily his characters sometimes speaks of the camera-work they're going to use in their short stories as if the director wants to tell us that he is working on this aspect of film making. His characters accept some shortcomings of the film itself (again watch the film) which equally unique!! All in all Chotushkone is certainly a must watch for any movie lovers. A tribute the film industry, it shows the growing presence Srijit among the best directors of modern Bengali cinema.

Srijit Mukherjee has taken Bengali cinema to new heights with movies like 'Autograph', 'Hemlock Society', 'Baishe Srabon' & 'Jaatishwar'. He surpasses himself with 'Chotushkone'. The plot is complex and gripping with a mind-blowing twist at the end. Aparna Sen, Chiranjit Chakraborty, Gautam Ghosh and Kaushik Ganguly give commendable performances. But among all these veterans it is Parambrata Chattapadhay who steals the show with his phenomenal performance. Cinematography is very good. Two great tracks further enhance the movie- 'Boba Tunnel' is a trademark Anupam Roy song and 'Bawshto ese geche' is melodious sung beautifully by Lagnajita Chakraborty. All in all, an excellent movie. Highly recommended.