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Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Confusing Indian drama has language and violence.
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Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai
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What's the Story?
As with many couples, money is the big problem for Sarita (Saiyami Kher) and Sushant (Roshan Mathew) in CHOKED: PAISA BOLTA HAI. Sushant is an aspiring composer and guitarist, but last time he accompanied singer Sarita at a competition, she saw the crowd and choked, putting an end to Sushant's dream. Since then, he's been out of work, driving occasionally for Uber and contributing little to expenses, housework, or childcare, increasing tensions between the two. When Sarita discovers that their plumbing is backed up because huge sums of wrapped-up currency were hidden in the drains, Sarita starts paying bills. She even pays off one of Sushant's gambling debt, lying to him about where she got the money. When the government, in an attempt to defund terrorists, suddenly "demonetizes," another of Sushant's shady lenders starts stalking Sarita. He tries to pressure her into exchanging large amounts of his old bills illegally at her bank and splitting the profit with her. How can Sarita untangle herself from this mess?
Is It Any Good?
This movie feels long and confusing and filled with seeming irrelevancies to the main story. Although Saiyami Kher is convincing as the annoyed wife who can't trust her husband, we never understand why Sushant doesn't get a job or help around the house. The backstory of Sarita's inability to sing before a crowd has little relevance to the more important story about the found money. Half the time we have no idea what Sarita's plan is -- legal or illegal -- so we don't know if we should root for her. And the origins of the money are unexplained through much of the movie, leaving the audience confused and, with no information to go on, a bit bored.
Residents of the apartment building lock and unlock doors secretly and walk in and out of apartments, yet we rarely know where we are or why. We don't learn until the end of Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai that Sarita's parents are rich and Sushant's aren't. At that point in the action, how does that information even move the plot along? There are better foreign films for teens to enjoy out there.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role money plays in our lives. How much money do you think people need to be happy? Do you think additional money after that number makes you happier? Why or why not?
What's the movie's attitude toward politicians? How can you tell?
The plot of Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai hangs on our understanding of "demonetization." Do you think changing what money looks like can help defund terrorist and other illegal activities? Does the movie explain all this sufficiently?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 5, 2020
- Cast: Saiyami Kher , Roshan Mathew , Upendra Limaye
- Director: Anurag Kahsyap
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 104 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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