Critics’ Review: ‘Chhichhore’ Is Sincere in Its Messaging

Chhichhore is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and stars Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Sharma.

A still from Chhichhore.

(Photo Courtesy: Pinterest)

Film: Chhichhore
Director: Nitesh Tiwari
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Sharma, Naveen Polishetty, Tahir Raj Bhasin

Here’s what the critics have to say:

“The writers Piyush Gupta, Nikhil Mehrotra and Nitesh stitch the screenplay like a tapestry. It’s clever but too neat. And it gets predictable very quickly. It doesn’t help that the scenarios in the film aren’t new. We’ve seen all of this before – the nerdy losers versus the more entitled and affluent bullies, the good-natured ragging, the canteen romances, the bonding that creates a family. There is little in terms of craft to dazzle you. The music by Pritam is passable but not sticky.&nbsp; And the film, even when dealing with issues like ragging or the pressure to achieve, stays in a sanitized space – there is calamity but no darkness. Despite the obvious bumps, what keeps <em>Chhichhore </em>afloat is the sincerity in its messaging, the characters and the performances.”

Anupama Chopra, Film Companion

<i>Chhichhore</i> is the sort of film that we can all add to, with our own versions of the same story — a user-generated series, if you like. This has the makings of one. You’ve probably navigated the same rite of passage — from ragging to enrichment, through deep bonds/friendships that last forever.Why’s this unique? Because I can’t recall any Hindi mainstream movie, in the colour of its language (first-rate dialogues), and the tone of its very being, that’s managed to capture what it’s actually like to be on an Indian campus — “freshy” (fresher), onwards. &nbsp;

Mayank Shekhar, Mid-Day

“Writer-director Nitesh Tiwari had his heart in the right place when he conceptualised this project.<em> Chhichhore</em> (The Childish Lot) is about an India which teaches youngsters to slog, compete and celebrate victory but almost never counsels them on how to handle defeat. It is a lesson that this country and its blinkered education system, pushy parents and mindless teachers sorely require. It is a lesson that sensible parents and forward-thinking teachers have long tried to propagate. The vehicle for this messaging needed to be less shaky though.”

Anna MM Vetticad, Firstpost

“Such is the tone and treatment of <i>Chhichhore</i> that it will trigger a flood of memories for anyone who has lived on campus. For those who haven’t, it evokes an unmistakable feeling of having missed out on a life-shaping experience. But frankly anyone who has been to college will have no trouble recognising friends, acquaintances or even oneself among the film’s canvas of characters.”

Rajeev Masand, News18