About the Series
In the era of OTT, where mainstream actors and directors are trying their hands in web series, maestro Vishal Bhardwaj, a multitalented musician and director, steps into the scene. The trailer piqued interest and set high expectations for a series with a stellar cast and the talented director himself. Let's find out if "Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley" meets these expectations.
The story revolves around a whodunit murder mystery, focusing on the death of Brigadier Meherbaan (Gulshan Grover) on a stormy night, two hours away in Solang Valley from his close ones gathered in Manali for a get-together. The gathering takes a mysterious turn when a seance ritual is attempted to contact the deceased. During the ritual, one guest appears to be possessed and predicts the brigadier's distant death.
As Brigadier's best friend and ski resort caretaker, Col Baruah ventures out to meet him on that freezing snowy night, he discovers the Brigadier dead upon arrival, with the Brigadier's servant also waiting outside. The Brigadier is a wealthy man with properties in Manali and Solang, and his family and acquaintances eye his wealth, making everyone a suspect. Even one of the Brigadier's nephews is arrested based on evidence found in his room.
But who is Charlie Chopra in all of this? Charlie is the fiancée of the arrested nephew, Jimmy, and a small-time detective. She inherited her detective skills from her mother, who was also a detective. Now, it's up to Charlie to prove Jimmy's innocence and uncover the real culprit among the suspects.
Direction and Writing
Vishal Bhardwaj, known for his directorial gems like "Maqbool," "Haider," and "Omkara," brings his cinematic brilliance to this series. The direction is crisp, and Bhardwaj's touch keeps the series short yet engaging.
The series consists of six episodes, each lasting approximately 30-35 minutes, with the final being around 50 minutes. Despite the short format, the series keeps you engrossed, slowly and steadily peeling away layers of the mystery. It's not a fast-paced thriller, but it's not a slow burner either; it maintains an even pace that keeps the audience hooked.
Given the multitude of characters, not all are fully developed, but given the series' brevity, this was a reasonable choice to ensure a concise and engaging story. Bhardwaj's skill in incorporating soulful music, including Rekha Bhardwaj's melodious songs, adds value to the series.
Inspired by Agatha Christie, the writing by Vishal Bhardwaj, Jyostna Hariharan, and Anjum Rajabali is engaging and concise, adeptly peeling away the layers in a subtle manner.
Performances
With a large ensemble cast, the spotlight shines brightest on the lead, Charlie Chopra. However, notable performances abound:
- Gulshan Grover as Brigadier Meherbaan Rawat showcases his underutilized talent with a practical, ruthless, yet wealthy character.
- Lalit Parimoo as the Brigadier's brother impresses as a calm and collected individual.
- Neena Gupta continues her impressive streak with a convincing portrayal as Lalit's wife.
- Ratna Pathak Shah and Lara Dutta deliver commendable performances in smaller but significant roles.
- Naseeruddin Shah, while having limited screen time, does justice to his scenes.
- Naseer's sons, Imaad and Vivaan, excel in their respective roles.
- Chandan Roy Sanyal adds much-needed humour in a smaller role.
- Paoli Dam's talent feels underutilized, similar to Naseeruddin Shah.
- Pulkit Makol makes his presence felt in the stellar cast.
- Priyanshu Penyuli delivers an impressive performance, shining among the ensemble. His chemistry with Charlie adds intrigue to the story.
However, the series undoubtedly belongs to the lead, Charlie Chopra, skillfully portrayed by the talented Wamiqa Gabbi. Her witty Punjabi accent, interaction with the audience, and well-timed punches elevate the series with her top-notch performance. She keeps the series from becoming dull with her engaging character. Wamiqa Gabbi is on her way to becoming a favourite for Vishal Bhardwaj, with future projects like "Khuifya" alongside Tabu and Ali Fazal. She's a born star destined for great performances.
Overall, "Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley" is an excellent whodunit thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. It boasts a stellar cast with outstanding performances and maintains engagement through its crisp screenplay, brilliant direction, and appropriate length and runtime. This series is a must-watch for your weekend entertainment.
WMR Rating: 4/5
Review Credits: Deepak Fakirchand Chaudhary