CHINGAARI – Sushmita shines in a film which could have been cohesive

Rating:- * *

Rather than borrow from foreign films, Kalpana Lajmi borrows stories from real life. And that’s her distinct plus point. Her films may not have celebrated jubilees, but they are appreciated by the discerning cinegoers as well as critics.

For CHINGAARI, Lajmi travels to the heartland of India and presents the love story of a prostitute (Sushmita Sen) and a postman. Also inter-related are issues that still plague present-day India, like illiteracy, sexual exploitation, fake godmen et al.

CHINGAARI is set in village Rangpur, and a red light therein known as Lalbatti which the rural folks visit to satisfy their lust.

Basanti [Sushmita Sen] is a prostitute, who sells her body but not her soul. Chandan [Anuj Sawhney] is a postman, who along with letters delivers his heart to Basanti. After nights of lust, Basanti finally finds love.

Bhuvan Panda [Mithun Chakraborty] is a prima facie a priest but actually he is a wolf in a sheep’s, nay, Godman’s clothing. Villagers worship as well as fear him. A wicked man, he extorts money, sex and power.

A jealous Bhuvan has Chandan eliminated thus crushing Basanti's pride. But if he thought that Basanti would take it lying down, he was mistaken.A wounded Basanti declares war...

The length of the story is one of its major drawbacks, although it does have a few deftly-executed scenes in the second half.

The film has some brilliant sequences and topnotch performances from Mithun making love to Sush for the first time or Sush's outburst when Mithun hints at Sush's daughter Titli and the climax.

Music [Adesh Shrivastava] is almost a let down.Cinematography [Vishal Sinha] is consistent.

Sushmita takes a giant stride with CHINGAAR, and has given an award worthy portrayal.Anuj Sawhney is highly competent. He matches up to Sush and Mithun at every step. Ila Arun in first-rate.