mehFILM: Dark Chocolate (2016)

Hello and welcome dear friends and cinema lovers. 

Today I will talk about 2016 Bengali Crime Thriller "Dark Chocolate" directed by Agnidev Chatterjee. The film was loosely based on real life sensational murder of Sheena Bora, the daughter of media barons, Indrani Mukherjee and Peter Mukherjee.   

GENRE: CRIME THRILLER

DURATION: 92 Minutes

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

The film opens with the gruesome discovery of a charred body in a secluded area near Mumbai, triggering a high-profile investigation. Police officers Abhishek and Payal arrest the victim’s driver, Ram Charan, whose confession implicates socialite Ishani Banerjee in the murder of her own daughter, Rina Bardhan. The narrative shifts back and forth between the present investigation and Ishani’s troubled past—her abusive childhood, rise in social circles, marriages, and descent into darkness. In a Rashomon-like format, the truth unfolds through conflicting testimonies from Ram Charan, Ishani, and her husband Shadab, all offering differing perspectives on the murder. The film culminates with Ishani and later her media mogul husband Victor Banerjee being taken into custody.

Screenshot from the Movie

The film attempts to dramatize a notorious real-life crime by weaving investigative drama, personal trauma, and multiple perspectives. While Mahima Chaudhry’s debut in Bengali cinema was noted, the film received criticism for its execution and storytelling. It's worth watching for its premise and performances, especially if you're interested in true-crime adaptations from Indian cinema.

WHY SHOULD WE WATCH IT?

Some of the positive aspects of the film are as below:

Bold Subject Matter

Tackling a real-life high-profile murder that was fresh in public memory showed courage and relevance. The film tapped into widespread curiosity about the case and tried to explore the dark psychology behind it.

Screenshot from the Movie

Performance by Mahima Chaudhry

Mahima Chaudhry made a strong Bengali film debut as Ishani Banerjee. She portrayed the manipulative, socially ambitious character with intensity, handling both glamour and menace effectively.

Screenshot from the Movie

Non-linear Narrative Style

The use of multiple perspectives was an ambitious attempt to add depth. Flashbacks and shifting versions of the truth helped maintain suspense.

Riya Sen’s Dual Role

Riya Sen played both the daughter and the younger version of Ishani, symbolizing how similar yet tragically conflicted their lives were. Her performance added emotional weight and highlighted generational trauma.

Timely Social Commentary

The film indirectly commented on elite hypocrisy, media sensationalism, and the fragile nature of family bonds built on ambition rather than affection.

 

But, the negative aspects of the film are also very loud.

Over-Dramatization and Lack of Subtlety

Many scenes felt melodramatic and exaggerated, reducing the gravity of the real-life case to tabloid-style drama. Emotional scenes often lacked nuance, relying on loud background scores and theatrical dialogue.

Inconsistent Direction and Screenplay

The direction by Agnidev Chatterjee was uneven—sometimes gripping, but often sluggish or jumbled. The script failed to maintain narrative cohesion, especially as the timeline jumped frequently.

Low Production Value

The cinematography, editing, and set design reflected a limited budget. Compared to mainstream thrillers, the technical quality (lighting, camera work, sound mixing) was subpar and distracted from the story.

Insensitive Handling of Real Events

The film was made and released very soon after the actual events, raising ethical concerns. It seemed to exploit a tragedy for sensational entertainment rather than offering a thoughtful critique or psychological insight.

Underdeveloped Supporting Characters

Other characters like the police officers or Ishani's husbands weren’t fully fleshed out, reducing potential emotional or dramatic depth. Their motivations often felt superficial or unclear.

 

The film "Dark Chocolate" is a provocative attempt to fictionalize a real crime, but while it succeeds in drawing attention and delivering bold performances, especially from Mahima Chaudhry and Riya Sen, it falters due to uneven execution, over-sensationalism, and technical flaws. Watch it if you're curious about dramatized true crime in Indian cinema. It is available on Prime video. I give 4 out of 10 stars to the movie.

 

That is all for today. Stay tuned for more meh-FILM.

Thank you.