Anirban Saha's

If the theme is unconventional, a film maker should try unconventional means to retain the attention of the viewers. This film was highly tangential and I wonder who the actual target audience were. This film was too much of Rituparna Ghosh, and very less of anything else.

I am perhaps one of the self proclaimed biggest fans of Rituparna Ghosh’s film. I have watched all the films that he has made so far. The audience who go to watch this film should remember this is essentially not a Rituparna Ghosh directed film. Its Koushik Ganguly’s. I didnt love the direction of the film all together. And I refuse to believe Rituparna Ghosh was even remotely associated with its direction (He is one of the creative directors of the film). I didnot like the direction of photography and I hated the cinematography.

This film was a desperate attempt to make it look intellectual, aritistic and full of emotions. This is a very conventional art film and is way outside the definition of parallel cinema existing in Bengali film industry today.

The good thing in the film to look out for is the acting. Rituparna Ghosh was effortlessly elegant with his acting, Raima sen, Chapal Bhaduri, Indraneel, Jishu Sengupta, Churni Ganguly was extremely good at their work. I loved the inclusion of Rabindrasangeet in the film, although might spark rave criticism, I loved the sensitiveness of the inclusion. The lyrics of the song involving Radha was intoxicating, provoking and very introspective. I wouldnot label this film as “gay” film, because of its relevance in straight relationships also. It protrays and revolves around a gay director Abhiroop (acted by Rituparna Ghosh) and bisexual photographer Basudev. This story was placed in corelation with that of Chapal Bhaduri and Kumar. From protraying the veteran theatre artists work to captivising an insight to his life, the role of the media and the “independant” society’s response to it..of love and the feel of it is very nicely shown in the film. Not essentially a gay film, it touches various aspects of homosexual love which is not merely carnal in its kind, but that of just another person towards his friend who is closer than he is supposed to be!

One might wonder who Chapal Bhaduri is and how he is related to the film. Abhiroop and Basudev came to make a documentary based on the life of Chapal Bhaduri who used to act as women in bengali “Jatra” (theatre) and was in his personal preference, a homosexual. But he wasnt able to express it, given the kind of social background he belonged to.

Regarding the theme of the film – emotions, love and homosexuality, its a break from the comedies that were earlier made of the homosexuals and is presented in a dignified and not so discreet manner that makes this film special. With the exclusion of section 377 from IPC, this film is an attempt to dive into the matter not making fun of it and is highly commendable.

This film is a fantastic film, if you manage to sit through the entire film. This film would have been much better, could have been very crisply presented with I feel a better director, may be Rituparna Ghosh himself.

~1~

Old days never come back. The ambiance fails the circumstances, the innocence refuses to come back.. the first thrill remains the thrilliest thrill… while the sweet at the end of the meal remains the sweetest sweet. Every episode in a persons life has an essence- different, distinct, different from all other episodes.. no point longing for the past.

******

~2~

Each episode in your life is like a sport.. you win some, you loose some… whats important is the sportsman spirit in you !

******

~3~

Moving forward is the rule of life.. changes needs to be accepted, few by heart, few by brain.. few forced by circumstances.. few affordable, few entertained. But the truth remains – It occurs. Everything comes to an end.. the only good about the statement is : The Bad also comes to an end. Well thats the hope, the silver lining! Keep smiling..!

******

~4~

Forming new relations doesnt mean leaving the old. The old relations stay as they were, and with time new relations are made as we meet new people..this is nothing wrong, in my opinion. It happens with all, it happened with you, it happened with me.. your place remains the same in my heart, although it did fade a bit with the distance that existed between us all this while.. but it is not erased, the charm still exists, the warmth does even..

******

~5~

Making new relations as we proceed with Time is actually moving forward, is actually the change.. is actually the start of another episode of life..

******

Feel free to share your views

যে রাতে মোর দুয়ার গুলি ভাঙ্গলো ঝরে
জানি নাই তো তুমি এলে আমার ঘরে ||

সব যে হয়ে গেল কালো… নিবে গেল দীপের আলো
আকাশ পানে হাত বাড়ালাম কাহার তরে ?
অন্ধকারে রইনু পড়ে স্বপন মানি
ঝর যে তোমার জয় ধ্বজা তাই কি জানি
সকাল বেলা চেয়ে দেখি , দাড়িয়ে আছ তুমি এ কি
ঘর – ভরা মোর শুন্যতারই বুকের ‘ পরে||

link to the song at youtube.

বিরস দিন , বিরল কাজ প্রবল বিদ্রোহে
এসেছ প্রেম, এসেছ আজ কি মহা সমারোহে ..
একেলা রই অলস মন , নিরব এই ভবন কোন,
ভাঙ্গিলে দ্বার কোন সে ক্ষণ অপরাজিত ওহে ..
কানন ‘- পর ছায়া বুলায়ে , ঘনায়ে ঘনঘটা
গঙ্গা যেন হেসে দুলায়ে দূর্জটির জটা
যেথা যে রয় ছাড়িল পথ , ছু টালে বিজয় রথ,
আঁখি আমার তড়িত বৎ , ঘন ঘুমের মোহে ..

Link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZK_hK3dIjg
Credits: The video taken from “Gaaner Opare”.
If you have any old version/ recording of the song, please feel free to share it with me at mailme@anirbansaha.com

Everyone except the protagonist exits the stage.
Teary eyed, he sits with his pen in hand.
The scene ends.