"I" ti Mrinalini Bengali Movie Review #BlogchatterA2Z

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I can't believe I have successfully completed the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge for eight days. For the ninth day, I have selected the film "I" ti Mrinalini, directed by Aparna Sen. 

Synopsis

The film begins with director Imtiaz Chowdhury and ageing actress Mrinalini discussing a project based on Rabindranath Tagore's "Raktakarabi," with Mrinalini set to play the lead role. They are in a romantic relationship, and Mrinalini has previously collaborated with Imtiaz. However, during the success party for their latest film, Mrinalini is devastated to learn that Imtiaz has chosen a younger actress, Hiya, to star in "Raktakarabi" and is also romantically involved with her. 

Upon returning home, Mrinalini contemplates taking her own life by consuming sleeping pills. She begins to sift through old photographs and written documents, intending to destroy them, but as she reminisces about her past, she becomes absorbed in her memories.

The film flashes back to Mrinalini's college days when she was a diligent student with dreams of becoming an actress, much to her boyfriend's amusement. At that time, he was involved in extremist politics and tragically died in a police encounter. Soon after, Mrinalini gets an opportunity to work with the renowned director Siddhartha. In her early years in the industry, the shy and timid Mrinalini faces several rejections despite promises of roles. 

She eventually enters a relationship with Sidhartha and gives birth to a daughter. However, her brother adopts the girl, and Mrinalini returns to India to revive her acting career. Back in her homeland, Sidhartha promises to marry her, but she soon discovers that he has a stable relationship with his wife.

During this time, Mrinalini befriends Booker Prize-winning author Chintan Nair, who supports her quest to bring her daughter back to India. As she reflects on these memories, Mrinalini feels joy and gratitude, deciding against ending her life. She takes her dog out for a walk.

While on the road, she encounters a man who resembles her first boyfriend. This man is being chased by some goons who shoot at him. Although he manages to escape, Mrinalini is hit by a bullet and tragically dies at the scene.

Review and Significance

"Iti Mrinalini" is a memorable film, primarily due to Konkona Sen Sharma's powerful performance as the younger Mrinalini. Her transformation from a college girl to an aspiring actress, navigating her way through the challenges posed by bigger stars, and ultimately achieving stardom—after which she becomes a hard-hitting diva—is portrayed so perfectly by the actress that it stands out as the main highlight of the entire movie. 

As a film, it is quite straightforward, with the only surprise being the twist at the end. While I generally enjoy Aparna Sen's remarkable works, this one is the weakest among all the films I have seen by her. I found the screenplay to be somewhat disengaging and, at times, rather clumsy. Nevertheless, it is worth watching for Konkona's strong performance.



Release, Cast, Characters

Iti Mrinalini was released in 2010.

Cast

Aparna Sen as Mrinalini

Konkona Sen as younger Mrinalini

Priyangshu Chatterji as Imtiaz Chowdhury

Kaushik Sen as Chintan Nair


I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z

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