Directed by: Haranath Chakraborty

Starring: Prosenjit, Piku, Tathoi, Mouli Ganguly, Rajatava Dutta

Corporation clerk Subhomoy (Prosenjit) struggles to make ends meet and provide a better education to his son Gourab (Piku) and daughter Munni (Tathoi). But Gourab, a talented junior-level cricketer, dreams of playing for India. So grades take a back seat, and the day he fails in the school examinations, an enraged Subhomoy starts thrashing Gourab. An accidental blow to the head sends the boy into a coma. The traumatised father is left to re-evaluate all that he has believed in and tried to achieve.

With a taut first half, Chalo Paltai quickly grabs your attention as Subhomoy’s mundane life unfolds to Anupam Roy’s melodious title track. The low-income housing complex with its neighbourly banter and late-night drinking sessions, Subhomoy’s cat-and-mouse games with the money-lending goon Ibrahim (Rajatava), his discomfort in interacting with his “high-society escort” neighbour Malini (Mouli) — all come alive through Soumik Halder’s grey-toned camerawork and Rabiranjan Maitra’s lucid editing.

Yet, much of the good work is undone post-interval. Meandering and preachy dialogues take over, and evil politicians make the customary appearance with their muscular sidekicks. The narrative loses focus, as the real feel goes for a toss, and falls back on snatches from several Bolly hits.

The education system is crucified as the root of all problems in a “common man’s life”. So the media, police, medical sector and even prostitutes and the mafia join the crusade led by Subhomoy.

Chalo Paltai has its moments though, riding on strong performances. Prosenjit brings out the restrained anger of a non-achiever, switching between the “Hitler” at home and the comical underdog outside. Piku and Tathoi are impressive as a headstrong youngster and his understanding sister trying to call a truce between her father and brother. Rajatava’s Ibrahim is delightfully menacing.

The premieres

CHANGEMAKERS: Director Haranath Chakraborty, flanked by cricketers Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Manoj Tiwary, at the Chalo Paltai premiere at Priya cinema on Thursday; (right) main man Prosenjit walks in for the screening. Pictures by Aranya Sen