"D" utta vs Dutta Bengali Movie Review #BlogchatterA2Z

On the fourth day of the exciting 26-day Blogchatter A to Z challenge, I have chosen to review the film Dutta vs Dutta, a semi-autobiographical work by Anjan Dutt, a multifaceted talent in Bengali cinema.

Synopsis  

Biren is an unsuccessful lawyer leading an unhappy life within a highly dysfunctional joint family. His son, Rono, studies at a boarding school, while his daughter, China, initially has an affair with the much older Ghenti Kaku (who is also in a romance with Rita). Later, she elopes with a Naxalite leader named Khoka Da. Biren’s wife, Rita, struggles with alcoholism. He is embroiled in a property dispute with his elder brother, and his younger brother is mentally unstable. Biren is also having an affair with his only client, Runu. 

Due to Biren’s inability to pay Rono’s boarding school fees, Rono is forced to return to Kolkata. The distance between Rono and his father begins early on, as Biren wants Rono to study law, while Rono stubbornly chooses to pursue acting—an ambition his family never anticipated. During this unstable period marked by the Naxal movement, Rono finds mentorship under Tony Mukherji, a liberal singer. 

Biren’s estranged father returns and opens a music school, which improves the family's situation. Inspired by his grandfather's love for art and music, Rono provides refuge to a Naxalite in their home without Biren's knowledge. Eventually, Biren is taken into custody and tortured for allegedly providing shelter to a terrorist. Upon returning, he becomes silent and withdrawn due to the humiliation he endured. However, things begin to improve when Rono gets an opportunity to work with the acclaimed film director, Mrinal Sen, and China settles in the USA with her husband, Khoka, for better prospects.

Review and Significance

Dutta vs Dutta is semi-biographical, reflecting aspects of Anjan Dutt’s own life. Rono’s character is based on Dutt, highlighting his early years at a missionary boarding school in Darjeeling, his connection with singer Gautam Chatterji (portrayed as Tony Mukherji in the film), the influence of the Naxal movement, and his initial foray into cinema alongside Mrinal Sen.

The film poignantly depicts the dire conditions of a dysfunctional family, with each actor's performance capturing the rawness of contentious household dynamics. Outsiders like Ghenti Kaku exploit such households for their own gain. Then again there are genuine people like Tony Mukherji, who helps the young Rono to choose his own path. Interestingly, both offer Rono smoke and drink, but one as a bribe and one as a way to comfort him. However, the story takes a positive turn with the return of Rono’s grandfather, who helps restore peace and harmony, illustrating the importance of having an elder in the family as a protective presence.

Performance-wise, all actors have done justice to their roles. Anjan Dutt’s portrayal of Biren, particularly in the final scenes where he attempts to regain normalcy and rebuild his relationship with Rono, is moving and almost tear-jerking. A particularly memorable scene shows Biren expressing his vulnerability to his son-in-law, breaking down as he conveys his grief as a father of the bride. Various scenes throughout the film leave a lasting impression, a hallmark of Anjan Dutt’s filmmaking style. 

Dipankar De's character as Rono’s grandfather provides a refreshing contrast to the family's dysfunction, acting as a breath of fresh air. His discussions about music with Rono and his younger son serve as valuable lessons.

Overall, Dutta vs Dutta is a delightful watch, filled with profound themes, beautiful music, and relatable performances.

Release, Cast, Characters

Dutta vs Dutta was released in 2012.

Cast

Anjan Dutt as Biren

Ronodeep Bose as Rono

Dipankar De as Grandfather

Rita Koiral as Rita

Arpita Chatterji as China

Kaushik Sen as Khoka da

Shankar Chakraborti as Ghenti Kaku

Rupa Ganguly as Runu