Chhapaak Review: Leaves an Indelible Impact!

Are you a person who can’t handle violence? Meghna Gulzar has always been a prominent director in dealing with serious issues in a quite matured way. Chhapaak is a real-life story of an acid survivor named Laxmi Agarwal. The narrative structure of the film is non-linear. The film starts with Malti (Deepika Padukone) in search of jobs trying her best to get over her physical as well as emotional scars.

It is Meghna’s deliberate decisions to use Deepika as a figure in the film where one doesn’t care about her physical scars. This film is about a journey of an ordinary girl who loves to dream. It is a journey of an acid attack survivor who has to go through quite a few mental and physical exhaustion to prove herself in society.

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Meghna Gulzar was always strong enough to deal with these issues, and her casting idea is quite feasible enough. Deepika Padukone has always been flexible in dealing with these strong female characters, and Malti is no exception. Her conscious decision of working with Amol to help these acid survivors shows the strength of the character. Now, moving to the character of Amol, who is an ally for Malti. Firstly employer, then a comrade in struggle, Amol understands the character of Malti, in and out. Meghna showcases it perfectly, where Malti doesn’t want to immerse in self-pity. She knows that one can’t rectify the past but she can make her future better.

Now moving on to the lyrical word of Chhapaak, Gulzar is a poet who loves to play with words. His lyrical magic was highlighted on the silver screen for so many years. And he deliberately used the word Chhapak to express how a drop of acid can change the entire future of a woman. That lyrical sound and emotion expressed the violence inflicted on these acid survivors.

The time when Malti spoke to Amol about who is he to decide to celebrate any success. It is the struggle of these acid survivors who face this kind of inhumane violence. Here it is, also the struggle of Malti herself, how she handles her family problems as well as legal struggle. Archana, the lawyer has always been a solace for Malti in her path of struggle.

However, Chhapaak is a slow-paced film. It is not a struggle between Malti and Babbu but also a film where Malti has to handle her own struggle in a positive way. The slow pace of the film actually shows the slow lifestyle of Malti. Apart from this Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music has been an additional brown point for the filmgoers. The film leaves an indelible impact on our minds. While watching the film, the spectators will understand that such a horrific situation can occur with any soul. Such painful and teary experience can only felt. The brilliant craftsmanship of Meghna Gulzar will take you to a two hours heavenly journey of Chhapaak.

Written by Sayantani Barman