Published in: DFW SAFF 2019

DFW SAFF 2019 Film Review “Chippa”

Author OneFilmFan

Published on: May 23, 2019

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

First, the Recap:

The seeking of answers. Always present in any myriad of ways, when we come upon that which is a mystery to us, our inclinations dictate we must gain the subsequent results in our search for what meaning resides behind it. Where said search takes us and exactly what we might actually find, though, likewise remains an enigma as well, but can potentially yield what becomes a highly worthwhile adventure. On the bustling streets of Calcutta, a young boy named Chippa (Sunny Pawar) resides with his Grand Aunt (Mala Mukherjee), who treats him more with annoyed disdain than love in the wake of his mother’s passing and his father’s long absence. Still, Chippa tries everything to be the happy.

Events change, however, when a mysterious letter from his father is discovered, meant for him on his tenth birthday. That day having arrived, Chippa finds that the letter is in Urdu, which he is unable to read. Frustrated and at odds with his Grand Aunt, Chippa makes a choice to run away and discover what he can about the letter and its contents. Over the course of a single day and night, Chippa’s journey through Calcutta brings him into contact with situations both fulfilling and frightening, but ultimately to a random series of people that show him love for others actually exists. Along with a newfound friend who accompanies him, will Chippa end up discovering the truth about the letter, and more so the one who sent it?

Next, my Mind:

We take a look around us each and every day, and while I am not totally sure about anyone else, it seems safe to say there’s enough embittered attitudes, broken lives, boiling anger, and suffering to go around.  In view of this sad truth, it becomes utter inspiration to see a film come around that dodges that tone and instead delivers an ultimate message this wayward world very much needs to hear shouted thunderously loud–the most important element in life is love. This notion is deftly explored through poignant drama, delightfully engaging humor, and brilliantly delivered, realistic, believable characters in writer/director Safdar Rahman’s affecting indie feature, which made its Texas premier at the 2019 Dallas Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival sponsored by Toyota USA, that follows one young boy’s emerging realization of love’s reality while navigating the actualities harsh and humbling, jarring and joyful, hidden inwardly and revealed outwardly that encompass his world as he strives to translate the message contained in a letter from his absent father.

There’s such a pronounced innocence to the whole affair, which is what makes this film work so well as a deep, mature character drama, allowing the viewer to become fully invested in each character presented, while not losing sight of the fact that it remains a beautifully rendered, uncomplicated, family-friendly effort that delivers its potent mix of laughs and cries from start to finish and wears its appropriately child-like manner on its sleeve, even offering us the always-welcome joy of a certain furry companion Chippa acquires on his journey to warm our hearts as well. Additionally, it is the aforementioned cadre of personalities Chippa encounters on his self-made adventure that doesn’t shy away from illustrating how uncertain and unsettling at times this world can be, giving us a little taste of everything from drunks, a prostitute, and a group of transgenders, to a policeman, taxi driver, band members, post delivery drivers, an old man, and finally to a newspaper man and his wife who turn everything on its head, leading to a stirring finale that will have you in tears, heart melted yet warmed at the same time. It shows that life really is a bittersweet thing, but again, not to such extreme extent as to ruin the overall morality and decency of the narrative’s message of adoration and hope.

Visually the film does a fantastic job of making us as the viewer feel fully engaged and immersed in the streets, back alleys, rooftops, and general magnitude of its Calcutta setting, making it seem like an even bigger scope for a little boy running away and into the chaos and calm of it all to endure, yet still seeming contained with the confines of Chippa’s own senses and experiences as they occur. Piece by piece, during daytime and night, we witness his excursion with the camera’s eye following intently, smoothly, and steadily, effectively utilizing close-ups and distance shots to engross us and merge us with Chippa’s forays. As with so many films from India and South Asia in general, music remains a huge part of the emotional quotient, and Cyrille de Haes’ score and orchestrations are wonderfully synched to the multitude of emotive moments we are treated to throughout the project.

Then we arrive to the centerpiece of this film, an actor of such high quality skill and undeniably “stand up and take notice” charisma that you’d think we’d be referring to a weathered veteran of the industry and not someone who’s just–eleven years old!!?? That’s absolutely correct, you read that right. After an already stand-out performance in the 2016 indie hit “Lion” (when he was only 8!), three years have provided this child phenom with more time to hone his talent even more, which shines brightly through in his role as the story’s namesake character Chippa, a boisterous yet somehow world-weary boy living on the streets of Calcutta while at the not-so-tender mercies of his great aunt, his caretaker now after losing his mother and his father went away thanks to an illicit affair. Receiving an unanticipated letter from his father on the day he is turning ten years old, Chippa’s inability to read the Urdu it is written in, along with overt frustrations with his great aunt, cause him to run away and head into the heart of the city and the denizens it produces along the way. Facing a constant wall in locating anyone to help him, he still finds that there are more than a few people who are worth connecting with and who attempt to assist him in other ways that aid him in his quest. Plus, finding a four-legged companion who’s ridiculously adorable doesn’t hurt matters either. As Chippa’s venture comes to a head, though, there’s a newfound enjoyment of what he’s learned about humanity and the power of unwavering love, all of which brings him home, but now looking towards what seems like a brighter future. Throughout this personal and charming crusade, Pawar is absolutely astute is his delivery, grounded, endearing, and delightful, whether throwing a fit or just being a happy kid, and it’s no surprise whatsoever he took “Best Child Actor” at this year’s DFW SAFF Awards. Watch out for this kid, because we’ve only seen the start of what should be a stellar acting career.

Primary supporting roles abound here as well, with Mukherjee as Chippa’s domineering great aunt whose demeanor is most certainly changed from what it begins as to when Chippa returns home and she has a splendid change of heart, Sumeet Thakur as a Calcutta taxi driver who ends up involved with Chippa after the innocently precocious child decides to redefine what a “free ride” is, Gautam Sarkar is a Calcutta police officer who at first seems threatening but then turns out to have a heart of gold and aids Chippa in getting to where he’s trying to go while ensuring he’s cared for as well, Chandan Roy Sanyal as a newspaper man with whom Chippa links up with and who offers more support than any of the previous persons, but for reasons that may go much deeper in scope than is evident, and Ronjini Chakraborty as the newspaper man’s wife who isn’t too thrilled about the new house guest. An even larger wealth of added supporting appearances comes along as well, small yet key factors in Chippa’s grander tale including Veer Rajwant Singh, Joyraj Bhattacharya, Tanaji Dasgupta, Aamir Anjum, Srabonti Bhattacharya, Om Prakash, Sanjeeb, Kalpan Mitra, Syed Aiman Ali, Samar Pal, Hema Shah, Adrija Paul, Fareed Hussain, Surojit, Sayan Paul, Nirmolendu Ghosh, Shruti Ghosh, Masood Akhtar, Shayan Ahmed, Zulqarnain Md, Kajol Sambhu, Suresh Rajak, Hari Shankar Das, Dilip, Md Rehan, Uday, Dilip Bharti, Biswajit Das, Raja Chakraborty, and Satish Prakash Shaw. In a film, credit is due where credit is due, right?

In total, with its magnificently executed narrative, solid visual appeal, and highly needed messages of hope, love, and the power of a child’s curiosity and uncontaminated view of the world, “Chippa” is a more than worthy indie film effort to take the time to watch, ponder, smile at, cry with, and learn from while just allowing the elation of its ultimate positivity bring that ever-elusive sense of comfort and calm to the heart, mind, and soul.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!