Film: Chhello Show/Last Film Show

Cast: Bhavin Rabari, Vikas Bata, Richa Meena, Bhavesh Shrimali, Dipen Raval, Rahul Koli

Director: Pan Nalin

Rating: 3.5 Moons

"My parents were unemployed with no money. Since they had enough time, they chose to conceive me and named me Samay." This instantly likeable, innocently hilarious dialogue is said by a little school-going boy named Samay in Nalin Pandya or Pan Nalin's Chhello Show or Last Film Show. The Gujarati language film is the current talk of the town as it is India's official entry to the Oscars 2023. Chhello Show is inspired by director Nalin's own life and is set in the same region where he grew up. 

The film orbits around Samay (Bhavin Rabari), a young boy living with his parents in Kathiawad, Gujarat. Coming from a humble background, he dreams of becoming a filmmaker and is passionate about cinema. However, his dreams of watching films on the big screen are shattered by his orthodox father, a tea seller at Chalala station, who believes cinema isn't meant for commoners like them. One day, Samay's father plans a movie outing with the entire family. Far away from home, they end up admiring the on-screen magic shown in a devotional film. The celluloid's beauty lives rent-free in Samay's mind after the outing. 

Unable to forget the magic in motion, Samay fights the odds to make it to a big city to watch a film on daily basis. For this, he befriends a projectionist Fazal (Bhavesh Shrimali). The old projectionist is instantly lured by Samay's promise to get him delicious home-cooked food in exchange for permission to watch films daily from the projection room. Over a period of time, Samay and Fazal bond over cinema and more. However, happy and fun-filled days for the buddies are cut short when digital projectors replace manual ones. Will Samay and Fazal face the storm bravely? What lies next for these passionate lovers of cinema? We'll find out in Chhello Show.

Chhello Show being a leaflet from Nalin's life chapter has the right emotional balance. The authenticity comes from the fact that it was shot with non-actors leading from the forefront. While it does come across as a simple, straightforward film about cinema, the unspoken subplots make the foundation strong. The filmmaker uses humour to draw attention and refuses to let go of the fun element even while telling a poignant tale of human resilience and the power to think big.

Staying true to Nalin's life story, the part-biographical film has been shot in remote villages of Kathiawad and the flavour of the same has infused beautifully in the narrative. Transporting us straight to the huts, dilapidated properties and abandoned railway stations, Chhello Show takes you on a feel-good journey. Despite being a Gujarati language film, it has a universal story that could be told in any language possible and that's the beauty of it. The dialogues, even for non-Gujarati audience, are perfectly written and the intended puns land correctly as desired without any language barrier. 

Leading from the front is Bhavin Rabari, a little boy from Kathiawad's Rabari community (who earn their livelihood by grazing sheep and tending to herds of cattle and buffaloes). Possessing the power to melt your heart with his innocent looks, Bhavin understands the nitty-gritty of the character he is tasked to play. There is curiosity in his eyes which appeals the most. It is difficult to believe that he isn't a professional or a trained actor. 

Dipen Raval as Samay's father does a fantastic job too. Richa Meena stands out as the little child's mother who is the silent yet most powerful force in his life. Inspired by Nalin's mother, Richa's character is among the most impactful ones. Bhavesh Shrimali as Fazal is excellent. Bringing out the character's vulnerability through his eyes and body language, the actor delivers an impeccable act. 

Nalin's Chhello Show is a light, fun and entertaining watch. It comes across as a poem written with loads of love for classic cinema and romanticised in the best way possible. 

PeepingMoon gives Chhello Show 3.5 Moons