CHOKED 2020
by
ANURAG KASHYAP
A film or a book on an event that took place in the recent past must have a plot with a bang. A realistic portrayal showing humdrum lives runs the risk of coming across as a documentary or a news report. We have lived through the tough times of demonetisation, when we had our dull existential problems to deal with.
Choked is one such story- it is your story and mine. It is an underwhelming tale of a strained marriage, unexpected bonanza and then some contrived drama around demonetisation of currency. Anurag Kashyap has kept it very basic- a bit of surplus money, some rewards, a costly gift and slight blackmail.
The film works as a Tele-film, but would have been a drag on larger screens. It rushes through the climax, where nothing actually happens. There is no chemistry between Sayemi Kher and Roshan Matthew, which is probably the point. It is only Kher who impresses with her portrayal of an overworked, harried, bored wife. Roshan Matthew is easy on the eye, but doesn’t emote well. Anurag is sharper with his criticism of Modi in his tweets. He has not really opened up in the film. A dialogue or two do hit bull’s eye, but that’s about it.
Disappointed? Not really. That Kashyap is past his prime is by now obvious. One just wishes he does not get too cautious.
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