Charlie Chopra Review: Wamiqa Gabbi Shines In Vishal Bhardwaj's Engaging Murder-Mystery (LatestLY Exclusive)

Charlie Chopra Review: Back in June, the pilot episode of Charlie Chopra was made available for viewing and LatestLY had predicted the series would be a good watch. It didn't prove us wrong. Vishal Bharadwaj's adaptation of Agatha Christie's The Sittaford Mystery is a worthy addition to the list of content made on her work as it stays loyal to the lulled execution of these novels. But it does have a few flaws. Charlie Chopra Episode 1 Review: Wamiqa Gabbi Makes for a Spunky 'Agatha Christie' Detective in Vishal Bhardwaj's Talent-Laden WhoDunnit! (LatestLY Exclusive).

Charlie (Wamiqa Gabbi), a small-time detective, arrives in Solang Valley when her fiancé, Jimmy (Vivaan Shah), is arrested for the murder of his uncle, Brigadier Meherbaan (Gulshan Grover). She senses something amiss and decides to launch her own investigation. Secrets begin to unravel as everyone involved harbours motives and hidden truths. The case takes a toll on Charlie's relationship with Jimmy and even her own mental state. However, matters become more complicated when the killer comes after her.

What I find particularly intriguing about Christie's stories is the absence of unnecessary theatrics. The narrative unfolds at its own unhurried pace, undisturbed by unnecessary thrills. It gradually peels back layers, immersing you in its intricacies. Bharadwaj successfully maintains this essence in Charlie Chopra. The climax, where the true murderer is unveiled, eschews a chase sequence in favor of a compelling drawing-room discussion that beautifully unravels the entire story. It's storytelling in its purest form, and I'm delighted that this aspect has been preserved!

These novels often shroud themselves in snowfall, concealing the murderous plots central to the investigations. Manali's snowy landscapes provide the perfect backdrop, seamlessly merging beauty and mystery. Despite the limited settings, the cinematography skillfully weaves them into a mesmerising visual tapestry.

One distracting aspect, however, is the abundance of characters, many of whom fail to fully develop. Paoli Dam's character serves no purpose beyond shrieking and crying in one scene. While it was enjoyable to see the entire Shah clan in the series, including Heeba Shah, they were not afforded much room to evolve as characters. Priyanshu Painyuli initially excelled in his portrayal of the loud journalist sensationalizing every aspect of the investigation. However, he later loses some of that spark. Additionally, the romantic tension between Charlie and him feels entirely avoidable. Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley: Lara Dutta Talks About Working with Vishal Bhardwaj and Rekha Bhardwaj, Calls It ‘Dream Come True’.

Watch the trailer of Charlie Chopra here

Wamiqa Gabbi owns the show here as the titular detective. She has really expressive eyes and everytime she breaks the fourth wall, it's magic. Also, watching a woman leading the sleuthing work is a definitive high. She gives a controlled performance which gels well with the pace. Neena Gupta is amazing as always and Gulshan Grover keeps his snooty selfish charm intact.

Final Thoughts

Charlie Chopra, streaming on SonyLIV, does justice to Agatha Christie's work, though a deeper exploration of individual character arcs could have elevated the viewing experience. Wamiqa Gabbi's simplicity and VB's touch have enriched Charlie Chopra's execution immensely. Watch it if a lull-paced thriller is your choice as well.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2023 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).