Chamak Review: Chamak is a story disguised as a musical thriller but it is more than a 6-episode two-pronged story. It celebrates the embalming nature of folk music of India, in its most nascent form. Rohit Jugraj Chauhan’s ability to weave an engrossing story, around the premise of music speaks volumes that good content requires veracity more than dedication. Paramvir Singh Cheema in the skin of ‘Kaala’, a brooding, short-tempered but sensitive artist makes every minute of the series worthwhile. Joining him in this orchestral acting ensemble, Manoj Pahwa, Isha Talwar, Mohit Malik, Akasa Singh, Suvinder Vicky Pal and others deliver a pitch-perfect performance.
The gripping story traces Kaala’s journey from his incarceration in a Canadian prison to the glitz and glamour of the Punjabi music industry. But the journey in between has a dreary past, concerning Kaala’s identity and then his motive. A discreet trip to India, amid a police hunt makes Kaala come face-to-face with his traumatic past, his parents murder in broad daylight during a live performance. Confronted by those demons, Kaala has a burdensome task to unearth the mystery around his parents assassination, as he dips his toes in the melodic and murky ocean of commercial Punjabi music, that operates within the corrupt and dark nexus of vile and powerful people.
Chamak is a slow-burner and it takes its sweet time to establish the plot and the characters. The fractured screenplay in the first two episodes picks up pace when Kaala comes to terms with his parents death. The acceptance pivots this series to a different realm from that point onwards where the makers evoke in you they dopamine rush and a very distinct quotient of thrill. The collision of these two genres has given birth to a visual symphony that holds an extra edge over the usual run-of-the-mill thrillers.
However, the screenplay keeps meandering every now and then, despite the caution exercised by the film-maker. That is primarily due to the layers attributed to Kaala’s inner turmoil as well as the labyrinth-like hierarchy of the Punjabi music industry. Some of the sub-plots, particularly that of ‘Guru’ have been filmed poignantly and with a gaze that is non-judgemental and oozes empathy. Besides him, there are several characters like Jazz(played by Isha Talwar), who wear her hearts on the sleeves and have a penchant towards music, as much as Kaala. All these characters have been deftly written and all have a purpose in the context of the script. Chamak does take an interesting turn mid-way, that eventually adds more drama to the climax. Rohit Jugraj Chauhan has also utilized real life singers, hailing from the pious and culturally rich land of Punjab that makes the narrative more engaging and meta. Throughout the span of six episodes, there are several cameos that are bound to leave a smile on your face.
But the most inherent soul of Chamak is its music. It’s not very seldom that you come across an OTT album that covers songs from all existing genres. There are traditional Punjabi songs as well as songs with modern and post-modern shades. From Hip-Hop to Punjabi Pop, Hindustani Classical to Sufi, Punjabi synthwave to folk numbers, the album consists of tracks that appeal to all music lovers. Subsequently, it is not merely a placeholder in the narrative but actually progresses the story forward. The maker’s sensibilities towards music makes Chamak a pleasing experience sonorously. It’s one of the best web series albums of all time and gives a stiff competition to Bandish Bandits.
Coming to the performances, Paramvir Singh Cheema as Kaala is an apt choice for the leading protagonist. He has evocative eyes and expressions, and he lends heavily to the script with his choleric persona and the trauma of his past. Isha Talwar as Jazz is full of spunk and earnesty. Her acting chops adds energy to the story and present a more urbane side of hers, quite different from her previous works in Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo and Mirzapur. One should also look out for Manoj Pahwa, who is an absolute legend in pulling off the character of the antagonist. He proves yet again that he is more capable of pulling off complex characters. Another revelation was Mohit Malik, who has outshined others in some of the most crucial scenes. His portrayal of Guru holds merit and deserves a standing ovation.
In short, Chamak is loaded with talented actors. The story is refreshing and the blend of thriller and music is only a small cherry on the cake. It exposes the dark and distressing underbelly of the music industry and compels viewers to understand childhood trauma in a more nuanced way. Irrespective of whether one is able to relate and connect with the themes of the show, the viewers are definitely in for a treat that is quite unlike what they have watched till now. Chamak deserves your attention, not because it is a show that is unique and different but because it is honest and it celebrates music like no other show did.
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