Chalti Rahe Zindagi Review

Chalti Rahe Zindagi - A Fragmented Tale of Pandemic Woes

Director: Aarti S. Bagdi

Cast: Seema Biswas, Manjari Fadnis, Siddhant Kapoor, Trimala Adhikari, Rohit Khandelwal, Indranil Sengupta, Barkha Sengupta

Rating: 2

Chalti Rahe Zindagi, directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, attempts to capture the emotional turbulence experienced by three families during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the film aims to offer a poignant reflection on life under lockdown, its fragmented narrative and uneven execution leave much to be desired.

The film revolves around Krishna Bhagat (Siddhant Kapoor), a bread vendor whose deliveries connect three families residing in a crowded flat block. As the pandemic unfolds, the film presents three separate episodes that impact these families in different ways:

The Infidelity Drama: The first story unravels the hidden affair between Arjun’s (Indranil Sengupta) wife and Aru’s (Barkha Sengupta) husband. Confined to their apartment, the two betrayed spouses form an unexpected bond, while dealing with the strain of the pandemic.

The Financial Struggle: Krishna’s financial woes are brought into sharp focus when he faces a demand for loan repayment from Sushma (Flora Jacob) and her ambitious son, Akash (Rohit Khandelwal). The story reflects on the struggles of migrant workers and their resilience during tough times.

The Intergenerational Conflict: The final episode explores the dynamics within the Seth family, particularly between the OCD-afflicted matriarch Leela (Seema Biswas), her Kathak teacher daughter-in-law Naina (Manjari Fadnis), and her teenage granddaughter Siya (Ananya Shivan). The lockdown exacerbates their emotional strains and repressed ambitions.

Chalti Rahe Zindagi aims to reflect the struggles faced by ordinary people during the pandemic. However, its anthology structure proves to be a significant drawback. The film's attempt to stitch together three disparate stories within a two-hour runtime results in a disjointed narrative that fails to fully engage with any single storyline.

Siddhant Kapoor, as Krishna, delivers a sincere portrayal of a man caught between financial hardship and personal responsibility. Seema Biswas and Manjari Fadnis also bring depth to their roles, particularly in the final episode, though their characters’ development feels somewhat superficial due to the fragmented nature of the film.

The film's technical execution is competent but lacks the polish required to enhance its storytelling. The dialogues often feel forced and lack the authenticity needed to draw viewers into the characters' lives. The screenplay’s attempt to explore deep emotions and complex relationships is undermined by its inconsistent pacing and abrupt transitions between the stories.

One of the primary challenges of Chalti Rahe Zindagi is its attempt to cover too much ground with too little depth. The anthology format might have worked better if the stories were interwoven more seamlessly or if the film had allowed more time for each narrative to develop. Instead, the film often feels like a series of disconnected vignettes rather than a cohesive whole.

Chalti Rahe Zindagi offers a heartfelt glimpse into the struggles faced during the pandemic, but its execution falls short of its potential. The film’s fragmented structure and underdeveloped characters limit its impact, making it a challenging watch despite its noble intentions. While the film succeeds in capturing the essence of pandemic-induced turmoil, it ultimately fails to deliver a compelling and immersive experience.