Satyajit Aparajito, the undefeated

Watched Aporajito yesterday in PVR Juhu, Mumbai. Auditorium 2 was almost housefull and I felt like I am watching the film in some multiplex in Kolkata. Saree clad aunties, quintessential Bangali 'bhodroloks', bunch of youngsters who i guess are born and brought up in Mumbai. It was such a nice feeling to see the children accompany their parents. Were these kids present in the theatre willingly or reluctantly ? Were they really interested in watching a bengali film in Satyajit Ray ? Whatever... I just felt good to see the next generation present to witness a movie on HIM  😊 And my heart pounded in excitement on seeing Etooo bangali eksathe!

#Jeetukamal, the actor was outstanding as Ray in looks and nuances. The hard work showed. There were times on screen when it was difficult to differentiate between the actor and his muse. As a Ray aficionado there were times when Jeetu's presence on screen gave me quivers and wet eyes. That twelve year old  me on 23 April 1992 resonated from within, "Tomake r dekhte pelam na ami". The screen belonged to Jeetu and I would say Thank you for bringing my God alive on screen. You were that close to perfection.

The screenplay however was extremely loose and lacked substance. Coming from #AnikDutta i guess the audience expected something much better. English used by the actors sounded quite newfangled  and irritating at times.

However, making a film on Ray is in itself a brave move and it could only come from Mr. Anik who eats, sleeps and breathes Ray.  Kudos to him for attempting to make something like this. To show the world the journey of the film maker to create history in world cinema was by itself a thought that needs to be reciprocated with respect.

Hope to see more of #Jeetu in the Ray avatar or maybe a Feluda avatar soon.

Cinematography needs a special mention here. To recreate the Ray moments wasn't a piece of cake for sure. Dedication and passion needs to be at tandem to create such moments.

There was applause both at the start and end of the film... Something which is rare in multiplexes. That reflected the emotions of the audience. They did not come to the theatre to judge a film... They were there to see Him, which I am sure they did.

It took a few moments to gather myself and put  on my motherhood cape once again. The father daughter duo were waiting for me downstairs. They didn't accompany me because AD knew that this is the film I wanted to watch alone, without any disturbance.

As i was rushing out I spotted someone whom I respect a lot. Aniket Mitra was there along with his wife Priyam. To see him in person and exchange pleasantries was a  Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor moment for me. 🙂

'Maharaja tomare selam', was what I mumbled as i stepped out of the theatre. Tumi Aporajito! Tumi robe nirobe hridaye momo... Satyajit Ray 🙏

Photo source: Google 

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Nagarkirtan - not just another film

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!