A long awaited watch ended in a void and lump
in my throat. Nagarkirtan presents us with the
stark reality that we witness every day in the
streets,yet we suspend ourselves to disbelief.
Kaushik Ganguly spins a tale of homosexuality
in the most unnoticed circumstances.
This is the first time I think I have watched
another actor more than Ritwick Chakraborty on
screen. Hats off to Riddhi Sengupta for the
outstanding performance. The character of
Puti will stay with me for a long long time.
Directors like Ganguly still gives hope to
bengali audience with such films and we feel
proud as cinephiles. Yes, bengali cinema still
has hope. Thanks to such films that are made
once in a while. I wish Rituparna Ghosh was
alive to see the film. This film is a resonance
to the insensitivity and indifference of the
society towards transgenders and the
homosexual community in the country.
The kirtan (devotional songs accompanied by
musical instruments on the love life of
Lord Krishna)
as a backdrop expressing the angst
of Mahaprabhu was such a subtle way of
communication by the director and writer.
I personally know a bit about kirtan because
it was something I grew up watching
and experiencing on a regular basis.
I witnessed my grandmother going into a
trance every time she listened to the
singers singing some episode of Krishna. There
were others who cried profusely and others
who went on a frenzy.
I couldn't feel the words as a child though
the transformations of these individuals
mesmerized my younger self.
The scene where Puti goes into the trance and
loses herself reminded me of those moments. Yes!
kirtan does that to a person.
This could be the story of so many of those
people we see standing at signals. The very
thought of their plight and struggle is
nauseating. Even if we try we cannot relate to
their dispair and battle to just exist.
Mahaprabhu Chaitanya took the path of
bhakti marg to get away from his family but Puti
wasn't lucky enough. Her story is that of
unacceptance, shame and defeat.
Riddhi Sen is not a star, he's an actor...
a brilliant one. As a viewer i cannot imagine
any other actor performing that role.
That's the magic of a powerful actor.
Nagarkirtan is not just any bold film, it's a
film with a heart and soul.
Kudos for their research and execution.
A brilliant film which can be watched
multiple times for it's aesthetics and content.
Bravo Mr. Ganguly and team!
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