Atkan Chatkan

Atkan Chatkan, a phrase in Hindi, which is often used for alliteration purposes, is supposed to lend a zesty, youthful vibe. The film is neither zestful nor happy. Contrived sequences, like that of the privileged kids feeling resentful towards the gifted poor ones is very eighties, and does nothing but makes one wonder if the director was stuck in a time warp. The kids are a delight to watch, even if they have to regurgitate dialogues that don’t belong to this decade.

However, Atkan Chatkan does have its high points... like the scene where Guddu and his little sister listen to the different sounds they hear as they fall asleep. But it fails to dwell on the many dramatic plot points spread throughout the narrative. The film meanders into the second half, attempting to work crisis torn adults into the mix, when instead focussing on building more drama around the story’s protagonists would have been the wiser choice. Its unique background composition that relies heavily on percussion makes Atkan Chatkan an interesting watch. However, the film stops short of being a musical journey par excellence. The fault for it lies with the pen and not the drumsticks.