"Chokkor" in English means a confusing or perplexing situation, like a riddle or puzzle. And true to its name, the film keeps the audience in a complete chokkor the whole time, throwing into a web of confusion, suspense and mystery. Kept the audience constantly guessing and masterfully balanced tension with well-timed comic relief. Not once did it feel boring. Was literally feeling the pressure of solving the suspense while sitting in the audience.
While the murder mystery format isn't entirely new, Chokkor brings its own flavor with a unique storyline and compelling characters. Didn't rely solely on the lead; the supporting cast delivered standout performances. A special shout-out to Sumon Anowar, who played one of the terrorists with stunning realism , from his dialogue delivery to his expressions, every move felt authentic.
Technically, the film gets a lot right, solid performances, gripping climax and commendable cinematography. However, the editing felt rough in places, with abrupt scene changes that broke the flow. A few angles and subplots felt irrelevant, they didn't add much and only stretched the runtime.
If there's a drawback, it's that Chokkor doesn't quite have the visual or production grandeur suited for the big screen. The story is solid, no doubt, and it would do really well on an OTT platform, but perhaps not theater material in terms of scale and finesse.
Still, for a debut, Sharaf Ahmed Jibon has delivered a promising thriller. With some refinement, he's clearly got the potential to bring even more powerful stories to the screen. Hoping for more from him in the future - and better. There's definitely room to improve, and I'm sure he knows that better than anyone.
If you're into suspense and thrillers, Chokkor is one ride you don't want to miss - gritty, gripping, and guaranteed to keep you on edge till the last frame.
