Introduction –

Latika ( Chitrangada Singh ) and Danny (Arshad Warsi ) aka Daniel Martins is a typical city couple. They have a couple of kids. While Latika is a housewife and an aspiring writer, Danny works in Hotel industry. Everything seems fine till Latika realizes that her aspiration of becoming a published author has remained unfulfilled because of the family obligations and responsibilities. It triggers nostalgic moments, a series of “What If” questions and even a verbal tussle.

Synopsis –

Latika attends a book launch and then decides to return home by train because of peak hour traffic. Danny promises to meet her at CST Station. They even fix a train leaving CST at a particular time. It is at this landmark venue Latika revisits her past. The audience is introduced to various milestones and events of her life including her first meeting with Danny.

Nostalgia, the current turmoil of not being able to finish her book further intensifies when these thoughts seep out of her head and turn into words which are delivered by the people / travellers at the station. Finally, the train arrives. Latika looks around, searching for Danny but as usual he seems late. She enters the compartment and eases on the seat. Before she can ponder on her earlier musings she gets a message from Danny saying he is in the train. Latika sees him standing close to the exit / door, smiles and joins him.

Analysis –

Cutting Chai began on a somber and serious note. We expected it to take us on a journey which would reflect the vagaries of life and how it crushed an individual’s dream. We also expected agonizing moments, a flurry of contradictions and some harsh choices. However, it all ended up with just a whimper and an understanding nod. Latika realizes that her failure and her unfulfilled dream were because of her own choices and therefore there was no point blaming others. It is this enlightenment which ruined the film completely.

Chitrangada Singh’s performance is lackluster, to the point of being casual about her passion, her dream which kind of seems bizarre. Arshad Warsi surprised us with his apologetic and bubbly act. His presence somehow kept the momentum and interest going. Locations and settings are some of the highlights of Cutting Chai. We loved the book launch and CST venues. Direction is ordinary and so is cinematography. The soliloquy which gradually evolves into words and then echoed by nearby people is not new to cinema so no brownie points for that.