Chillar Party
By Tracy Moore,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Uplifting tale of friendship may challenge attention spans.
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Chillar Party
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What's the Story?
In CHILLAR PARTY, a group of neighborhood kids in an Indian colony befriend a homeless kid and his dog, Buddy. But when the Minister of Welfare makes eradicating stray dogs his cause du jour in a self-serving publicity grab, the children have to decide how far they are willing to go to fight for what they believe in to keep Buddy in the neighborhood. Along the way, the kids, their parents, and their entire community must learn some lessons about open-mindedness, tolerance, and most importantly, what it really means to stand up for a fellow friend.
Is It Any Good?
The film is a funny, heartwarming, sad, and triumphant look at the fighting spirit of children. It also examines the way adults often forget that they're whole people with their own concerns, worries, and existential questions. There's a song lyric in Chillar Party that aptly sums up the heart of the movie: If ants take a united stand, they can even scare an elephant.
If kids are game for reading subtitles, they will appreciate the relatable humor, pranks, and kicks of these neighborhood boys carving out territory and learning compassion. And parents will appreciate the positive messages about community, friendship, and activism presented here. The only drawback to such a well-crafted and moving story is that at 130 minutes, it could be a challenge for younger viewers to finish. That said, the swift pacing almost makes you forget the length, and the takeaway is worth it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it's like to fight for a cause that you believe in, like the characters do in Chillar Party. What are the challenges? What are the rewards? Have you ever stood up for someone or something you felt didn't get a fair shake? What happened?
The film shows the importance of being open minded about people and not judging them merely based on appearances. Have you ever been judged because of where you live or how you look? How did it feel? How did you handle it?
Go online to learn what families can do to help prevent the epidemic of stray dogs from worsening, by volunteering at shelters, adopting animals who have been abandoned, or becoming educated about spaying and neutering pets.
Fatka is homeless in the movie and must live in an abandoned car in the neighborhood, circumstances that are unfortunately all too real for many children in the world. Read online or visit a shelter to learn what you can do to help homeless children in your city.
How do the characters in Chillar Party demonstrate compassion and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 23, 2011
- Cast: Irrfan Khan, Rohan Grover, Sanath Menon
- Director: Vikas Bahl
- Studio: UTV Spot Boy
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy
- Run time: 130 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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