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.
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