CHOONA(2023)
Director: Pushpendra Nath Misra
Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Vikram Kochhar, Namit Das, Chandan Roy, Gyanendra Tripathi, Monika Panwar, Niharika Lyra Dutt (lead actors listed first)
Choona (2023) unfolds as a darkly humorous heist series that introduces viewers to an eclectic ensemble of misfits who’ve united against a ruthless, superstitious politician. In the opening act, we meet Avinash Shukla—portrayed with commanding nuance by Jimmy Shergill—a delusional powerbroker whose obsession with auspicious timings sets the stage for turmoil. They converge a ragtag team: Aashim Gulati’s Yakub Ansari Sheikh, the calculating con-artist; Monika Panwar’s Bela, a fearless news anchor turned action-ready participant; and Chandan Roy, Namit Das, Vikram Kochhar, Gyanendra Tripathi, and Niharika Lyra Dutt, who each bring distinct quirks and energies to the band of underdogs.
This #HeistComedyThriller deftly balances witty banter and sharp character dynamics, interlacing themes of collective resistance, social inequality, and the absurdity of power structures. The tone veers from biting satire to suspenseful drama, with an undercurrent of Indian cultural motifs—astrology, jugaad, and political farce—amorously woven via Pushpendra Nath Misra’s direction and sharp screenplay.
Misra’s direction navigates the chaotic premise with clarity, crafting a world that feels stylized yet grounded. Performances are uniformly strong: Shergill anchors the eccentric ensemble with restrained volatility; Gulati surprises with layered scheming; Panwar delivers a standout moment of agency and grit; and Roy captures emotional texture with minimal exposition. Visually, the cinematography captures both gritty small-town settings and heightened dramatic flourishes, while production design enhances the local-meets-outlandish tone. Though the soundtrack stays serviceable, it supports rather than distracts from the story’s momentum.
Overall, Choona (2023) remains a compelling, offbeat ensemble thriller—marked by solid direction, engaging performances, and a distinctively Indian flavor—offering a binge-worthy narrative grounded in satire and suspense.
Choona (2023) unfolds as a darkly humorous heist series that introduces viewers to an eclectic ensemble of misfits who’ve united against a ruthless, superstitious politician. In the opening act, we meet Avinash Shukla—portrayed with commanding nuance by Jimmy Shergill—a delusional powerbroker whose obsession with auspicious timings sets the stage for turmoil. They converge a ragtag team: Aashim Gulati’s Yakub Ansari Sheikh, the calculating con-artist; Monika Panwar’s Bela, a fearless news anchor turned action-ready participant; and Chandan Roy, Namit Das, Vikram Kochhar, Gyanendra Tripathi, and Niharika Lyra Dutt, who each bring distinct quirks and energies to the band of underdogs.
This #HeistComedyThriller deftly balances witty banter and sharp character dynamics, interlacing themes of collective resistance, social inequality, and the absurdity of power structures. The tone veers from biting satire to suspenseful drama, with an undercurrent of Indian cultural motifs—astrology, jugaad, and political farce—amorously woven via Pushpendra Nath Misra’s direction and sharp screenplay.
Misra’s direction navigates the chaotic premise with clarity, crafting a world that feels stylized yet grounded. Performances are uniformly strong: Shergill anchors the eccentric ensemble with restrained volatility; Gulati surprises with layered scheming; Panwar delivers a standout moment of agency and grit; and Roy captures emotional texture with minimal exposition. Visually, the cinematography captures both gritty small-town settings and heightened dramatic flourishes, while production design enhances the local-meets-outlandish tone. Though the soundtrack stays serviceable, it supports rather than distracts from the story’s momentum.
Overall, Choona (2023) remains a compelling, offbeat ensemble thriller—marked by solid direction, engaging performances, and a distinctively Indian flavor—offering a binge-worthy narrative grounded in satire and suspense.