Mainkar Chipay is a ZEE5 original drama-thriller movie directed by Abrar Athar, starring Sariful Razz, Afran Nisho and Shamol Mawla. Released on November 9, the movie portrays the eponymous Catch-22 situation amongst its three protagonists whose quirky characteristics slowly unravel with time. Shot by renowned cinematographer Tahsin Rahman, Mainkar Chipay is the story of how quickly things can go wrong when it comes to drugs.
While Sameer (Razz) a drug addict looking to get his next fix, waits impatiently for his drug dealer, he crosses paths with a stranger with an unknown agenda. Things turn even more bizarre after his dealer Shafiq (Shamol) arrives, and they soon find themselves in a Mainkar Chipay situation, all during the course of one crazy night.
Intense storytelling in a twisted plot
The movie reminds viewers of the masterful, three-person 2001 drama Tape, starring Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and Uma Thurman. Like Tape, things seem simple at first, but slowly start getting complicated as we progress into the night. Mainkar Chipay keeps the viewer guessing at every stage as the stranger (Afran Nisho) makes whimsical demands of his scapegoats. No one is able to predict what he will say or do next, making all three - Sameer, Shafiq and the viewer, fear the unknown completely.
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Analysis
The camera work and sleek direction of the plot playing out during a single night in Dhaka is the highlight of the film. From drone shots, breaking the fourth wall to motion graphic narrations, the film packs in multiple elements of a wholesome entertainment that a young audience would enjoy.
True to its theme, the movie epitomises dark humour, death and extortion in the seemingly simple premise, leading to devastating outcomes. One can see the extents that drug addicts can go to for a high. While Razz effortlessly plays the role of an addict who will go to any lengths for his next fix, Shamol’s character shuttles between that of a docile prey and a cunning opportunist. Meanwhile, Nisho’s comic timing is spot on as he controls the storyline on his own terms and entertains the audience with his own rendition of Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’, akin to Sameer and Shafiq’s sinking ship.
The Verdict
At 50 minutes, Mainkar Chipay is short and crisp. The direction is spot on, as the characters are as varied as they come (if you can ignore the complete absence of women). The movie was shot in just four days which is extremely commendable, and the reality-like handheld shots keep the viewer engaged throughout. The cinematography and score are a general sensory delight. The actors do complete justice to their characters, evoking empathy out of the viewer, and driving a hard hitting #SayNoToDrugs message home.
