Unveiling 'Chocolate'
An academic exploration into the narrative complexities, cinematic influences, and critical reception of the 2005 Indian crime thriller.
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Film Overview
Genesis of a Thriller
Released in 2005, Chocolate marks the directorial debut of Vivek Agnihotri, presenting a Hindi-language crime thriller to the Indian cinematic landscape. The film is notably inspired by the acclaimed 1995 American neo-noir mystery film, The Usual Suspects, a significant influence that shapes its narrative structure and thematic elements.[3]
Creative Minds
The film's screenplay was crafted by Rohit Malhotra and Vivek Agnihotri, who also took on editing duties alongside Satyajeet Gazmer. Production was overseen by Vibha Bhatnagar, Ragini Sona, and Mehmood Ali, with cinematography by Attar Singh Saini. The musical score, a crucial component of Bollywood cinema, was composed by Pritam.[1]
Release and Duration
Chocolate premiered on September 16, 2005, offering audiences a substantial cinematic experience with a running time of 162 minutes. Distributed by Eros International, the film aimed to captivate viewers with its intricate plot and ensemble cast.[1]
Narrative Arc
The Inciting Incident
The film's intricate plot commences with a motorboat explosion in London on Christmas Eve, 2001, set against the backdrop of the post-September 11 attacks era. This event is swiftly followed by a high-stakes robbery of an armored vehicle carrying billions of pounds. The police's investigation leads them to suspect two Indian individuals, Pipi and Sim, who face allegations of potential links to Al-Qaeda.[3]
The Defense and Investigation
Crime journalist Monsoon Iyer becomes aware of Pipi and Sim's predicament and enlists advocate Krishan Pandit to represent them. Krishan engages with the accused, hearing their account of the events. They claim that the explosion, the robbery, and the deaths of their three friendsโChip, Deva, and Rockerโwere orchestrated by a notorious terrorist named Murtaza Arzai. Convinced of their innocence, Krishan meticulously pieces together their story, presenting it to the court.[3]>
The Unraveling Twist
Krishan successfully persuades the presiding judge, leading to the dismissal of charges against Pipi and Sim. However, a crucial detailโa magazine on his office tableโreveals that the names mentioned in Pipi and Sim's fabricated narrative correspond to cover stories. This revelation exposes the elaborate ruse: Pipi and Sim were not innocent victims but masterminds, and their supposedly deceased friends, Rocker, Deva, and Chip, are very much alive, having been integral to the deception. The film culminates in this significant narrative twist, echoing its inspiration, The Usual Suspects.[3]>
The Ensemble
Principal Cast
The film features a notable ensemble of actors, each contributing to the intricate web of characters:
- Anil Kapoor as Advocate Krishan Pandit
- Sunil Shetty as Rocker
- Emraan Hashmi as Deva
- Irrfan Khan as Pipi
- Arshad Warsi as Chip
- Tanushree Dutta as Simran Khemu
- Emma Bunton as Tabetha Gagoh
- Sushma Reddy as Crime Journalist Monsoon Iyer
The narrative is further enriched by the vocal contributions of Irrfan Khan and Tanushree Dutta, who serve as narrators.[2]
Supporting Roles
A diverse array of supporting actors further fleshes out the film's world, adding depth to the unfolding mystery:
- Murli Sharma as Bilal Shaikh
- Raj Zutshi as Roshan Gandhi
- Jagmohan Mundhra as Vivek Agnihotri
- Kelly Dorjee as Roshan Abbas
- Vishwajeet Pradhan as Honey
- Ashwin Mushran
- Yasmin Haines
- Mumaith Khan in an item number "Jhuki Jhuki"
- Tom Bates as Security Guard
Auralscape
The Soundtrack by Pritam
The soundtrack for Chocolate was composed entirely by Pritam Chakraborty, a prominent figure in Indian film music. The album was digitally released on July 23, 2005, preceding the film's theatrical release on September 16, 2005. It falls under the genre of a feature film soundtrack and was released under the T-Series label, with Pritam Chakraborty also serving as the producer.[1]>
Critical Lens
Predominantly Negative Assessments
The critical reception for Chocolate was largely unfavorable, with several reviewers highlighting significant shortcomings. Jaspreet Pandohar of BBC.com awarded the film a mere 1 out of 5 stars, criticizing its "unnecessary songs and repetitive shots" that diluted the suspense. Pandohar concluded that the "wooden performances and nonsense goings-on" made the viewing experience "no sweet experience."[3]
Lack of Substance
Taran Adarsh from IndiaFM echoed similar sentiments, rating the film 1.5 out of 5 stars. He described Chocolate as "body beautiful, minus soul," suggesting a superficial aesthetic lacking in deeper substance. Adarsh predicted that the film "may not appeal to the aam Indian junta," indicating a disconnect with the general audience.[4]
Derivative Narrative
Anupama Chopra of India Today pointed directly to the film's derivative nature, stating that it "wants to be The Usual Suspects" and that "the plot is copied from Bryan Singer's classic." While acknowledging Agnihotri's "attitude," Chopra suggested that future endeavors should prioritize originality, as viewers familiar with the 1995 source material would find the twists predictable.[5]
A Glimmer of Positivity
Despite the prevailing negative reviews, Merril Diniz of Rediff.com offered a more positive, albeit cautious, assessment. Diniz noted that English film enthusiasts might experience a "sense of dรฉjร vu" due to the plot's unfolding through conversational snippets and the familiar courtroom drama format. However, Diniz encouraged viewers to "enjoy the ride and relish the climax, or rather, the anticlimax," suggesting that the film still offered entertainment value despite its inspirations.[6]>
Behind Scenes
Allegations of Misconduct
During the production of Chocolate, a significant controversy arose involving actress Tanushree Dutta and director Vivek Agnihotri. Dutta publicly accused Agnihotri of inappropriate behavior on set. She alleged that during a scene intended for Irrfan Khan to emote, Agnihotri instructed her to remove her clothes and dance off-camera to facilitate Khan's performance.[7]>
Irrfan Khan's Intervention
According to Dutta's account, Irrfan Khan intervened in the situation. He reportedly confronted Agnihotri, asserting his professional capability to act without such unconventional and inappropriate methods. Khan's reported response effectively shut down the director's request, highlighting a moment of ethical stand-taking on set.[7]>
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