Mojdeh & Mojtaba Movies and Malik Pictures’ Chitrakut (A) is the story of six people. Debu (Vibhore Mayank) and Alisha (Naina Trivedi) are friends. While Debu, a chef, loves Alisha, the latter has not been able to get over her ex-boyfriend and is actually waiting for him to return from abroad. Soon, Debu quits his job. He then befriends Kim (Shruti Bapna) and even tries to get cosy with her, but she spurns his offer because she already has a boyfriend, Ashwin (Akash Dhar), who is a gangster. Anyway, Debu joins Ashwin’s gang. Saloni (Auritra Ghosh) and Shaan (Kiran Srinivas) are friends. While Saloni loves Shaan, he only uses her. He even misuses her passport to make quick money. Yet, Saloni sends him to Goa as she wants the best for him.
Alisha also goes to Goa after her ex-boyfriend returns to India but does not meet her. Alisha and Shaan become friends in Goa while Debu and Saloni get to know each other in Bombay. Kim continues to be with Ashwin.
Himanshu Malik has written a story which is more random that anything else. His screenplay moves at an excruciatingly slow pace and ends up testing the audience’s patience because it keeps meandering here and there. Ingredients of an entertainer, like comedy, drama and emotions, are conspicuous by their absence. Dialogues (most of them in English), also written by Malik, are so-so.
None of the actors has screen presence. Vibhore Mayank does fairly well as Debu. Auritra Ghosh performs ordinarily as Saloni. Kiran Srinivas is below-average as Shaan. Naina Trivedi is just about alright in the role of Alisha. Shruti Bapna is okay as Kim. Akash Dhar lends decent support in a tiny role as Ashwin. Himanshu Malik (as the head chef) and the others pass muster.
Himanshu Malik’s direction is no better than his random script. Somesh Saha’s music and the lyrics (by Somesh Saha and Divya Unny) are functional. Auritra Ghosh and Subhash Dhang’s choreography is average. Camerawork (Hardeep Sachdev) is eye-pleasing. Vijay Kadali’s art direction needs no separate mention. Praveenkumar Ayirattu’s editing leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Chitrakut is a weak fare and will go largely unnoticed.
Released on 20-5-’22 at PVR Citi Mall Andheri (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Platoon Distribution. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over.