Celebrating Charlie Chaplin

Ahead of Charlie Chaplin’s death anniversary this month, actors and filmmakers came together to discuss the actor’s iconic films, style and portrayal of emotions.

This December marks 41 years since Charlie Chaplin left for his heavenly abode. Chaplin – an actor, filmmaker and a music composer — first appeared on a movie screen as an eccentric fellow with a toothbrush moustache and a bowler hat, walking with splayed feet and carrying a cane. The actor, who ruled the silent-film era with his slapstick and yet satirical style of comedy, is definitely the world’s most revered actor and a pioneer of the comedy genre. Celebrating this personality, the city’s White Wall Screening (WWS), a community of cinephiles, curated a session on Chaplin titled as ‘The Artist’.

The two hour-long session was filled with the screenings of handpicked scenes from his movies, reflecting his style in comedy, portrayal of emotions and sharing trivia. The event was organised by three actors and filmmakers Madhussneha Upadhyay, Pratik Rajen Kothari and Raghav Aggarwal after a thorough research on Chaplin’s life and works, so that they can share their passion for the iconic actor. “As artists and ardent fans of Chaplin, we wanted to jam on Chaplin and have a closer look at his work,” says Madhussneha.

Chaplin earned the limelight with his character in The Tramp (1951). As one of cinema’s  first superstars, Chaplin elevated the movie industry in ways only few could imagine. Over the years, Chaplin has inspired many actors with his acting talent and comic timing.

With films like The Kid (1921), Modern Times (1936), and The Great Dictator (1940), he brought human emotions and behaviour and the theme of nationalism to the fore. It is the genius of Chaplin that his movies are still relevant around the world, as they were in the 1920-40s when he made some of his most poignant and hard-hitting works.

According to Raghav, the actor was courageous to make a film like The Great Dictator that satirises Adolf Hitler, Nazism, fascism and anti-Semitism in the backdrop of the ongoing World War II. “It depicted Jewish characters in heroic roles and urged a war against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) at a time when many Americans were ambivalent about getting involved,” informs Raghav. Adding to this Madhussneha says, “a bit of his strength and vulnerability can be seen in some scenes of The Great Dictator.” This can perhaps be witnessed in the cinematic speech in the climax of the movie when Hitler is talking about compassion. The monologue is a stellar example of profound screenwriting that carries within it the strength and the spirit of going on with life.  

In addition to such dramas, Chaplin delivered some unforgettable comedy gems. “His work has a timeless yet universal appeal to it. If you see the movies as a child, you enjoy the humour; and if you see the movies as an adult, you see the cinematic genius in them,” says Madhussneha.

However more than his natural presence and comic endevours on screen, his actions were thoughtful and sharp enough to push the audience to think beyond the humour. Adding to this, Pratik says his multi-layered humour was not just entertaining, but engaging, relatable and moving, which later became increasingly political. “He permits us to see and to feel what is realistically distressing about life through the magnifying glass of humour,” adds Pratik.

On this evening too, the talk had many layers, delving into the versatility of Chaplin – from a complete actor to a visionary filmmaker and a music composer. After showing a clip from Modern Times, they discussed a scene where he accidentally gets drugged and saves the day for the police by fighting the goons on the run. “Our talk was also about analysing how complex choreography is so beautifully executed,” says Pratik.

Raghav further discusses the ‘underdog protagonist formula’ used in The Tramp, which now has become commonplace in Hindi and English cinemas. Moreover, Madhussneha adds that it was his genius in The Tramp that he seldom tried to perform comedy but actually created circumstances that resulted in comedy. She concludes, with what is probably the best legacy of Chaplin, by saying,“he taught the world to be fearless and laugh.”