Chalti Rahe Zindagi Review : A poignant reminder of the pandemic's challenges

Story: Set against the backdrop of a pandemic-induced lockdown, the drama weaves together the lives of three families in a housing complex. As the world outside grinds to a halt, the residents are forced to confront their inner demons, reevaluate their relationships, and forge unexpected connections.

Review: ‘Chalti Rahe Zindagi’ takes us back to the depressing times during the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought the world to a standstill. These stories can be hard to watch but still, these heartfelt narratives are emotional and relatable, especially due to convincing performances by the entire cast.

Set against the backdrop of a pandemic-induced lockdown, the film revolves around three families living in the same housing complex and their local bread supplier, Krishna (Siddhant Kapoor). The drama explores the various experiences during the pandemic, from ignorance and paranoia about the virus to dealing with mental, physical, and financial challenges. The tension between families adds depth to the stories, making them more relatable.

The narrative begins by unveiling a secret affair between Arjun’s (Indraneil Sengupta) wife and Aru’s (Barkha Sengupta) husband, setting the tone for the unfolding drama. Krishna, portrayed convincingly by Siddhant Kapoor, faces financial strain as Sushma (Flora Jacob) pressures him for loan repayment, influenced by her ambitious journalist son Akash (Rohit Khandelwal). The story also highlights the Seth family, with three generations of women dealing with their own conflicts and desires. The elderly Leela (Seema Biswas), her daughter-in-law Naina (Manjari Fadnnis), and teenage granddaughter Siya (Ananya Shivan) navigate their complex relationships as the lockdown progresses.

Directed by Aarti S Bagdi, the film is mostly shot during pandemic times, leading to some repetitive shots that can be overlooked. As the story progresses, the direction improves, and the writing, although simple, connects with viewers. The dialogue does feel cringy at most moments, but the actors have pulled their acts maturely. The climax, although not the most moving, will still evoke emotions and resonate with those who experienced the lockdown firsthand.

As the characters traverse their new reality, they discover that sometimes, the unplanned detours lead to the most profound discoveries. Siddhant Kapoor stands out as Krishna, infusing his character with depth and sensitivity. He brings a fresh perspective to the lockdown narrative, depicting a bread supplier who is caring and concerned about everyone, and further enhances his character’s depth with impactful shayari. Trimala Adhikari impresses as his wife, Champa, with her expressive performance.

Other than Kapoor, it's Barkha Sengupta and Indraneil Sengupta deliver solid portrayals, particularly Barkha, who captures her character’s emotional turmoil adeptly. Rohit Khandelwal is decent as Akash, while Flora Jacob as Sushma (aka Maayi as Krishna calls her), provides strong support, knowing about every household in the society. Manjari Fadnnis effectively conveys Naina’s emotional journey, and Seema Biswas shines as Leela, a woman grappling with OCD and virus paranoia.

'Chalti Rahe Zindagi' has its heart in the right place, offering a poignant reminder of the challenging times during the pandemic. It's a film worth watching for its emotional depth and relatable stories, especially if you're open to revisiting those difficult yet transformative moments.