"M" ayurakshi Bengali Movie Review #BlogchatterA2Z

“Mayurakshi” is a wonderful tale of character bonding directed by Atanu Ghosh. Today, for the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge, I have selected this movie for my review.

Synopsis

Aryanil lives in Chicago and visits Kolkata to see his father, Sushovan, who suffers from severe neurological disorders. Aryanil is divorced, and his only son studies at a residential school in Dehradun. During his visits to Kolkata, Aryanil discovers that his father's memory is severely impaired, and his recollections are often jumbled.

After Aryanil’s recent visit, Sushovan begins to show an interest in books, music, and intellectual conversations—activities he had either stopped pursuing or never had the opportunity to engage in due to his condition. He often mentions a woman named Mayurakshi, an ex-student of his, who he claims visits him frequently with music cassettes and other gifts.

Intrigued by his father's renewed interests, Aryanil begins searching for Mayurakshi but faces challenges due to a lack of information and time. As a result, he fabricates a story about Mayurakshi's death to ease his father's disappointment, leaving Sushovan visibly upset.

As Aryanil departs from Kolkata, he breaks down over his perceived failure to help improve his father's condition. However, just after Aryanil's flight takes off, Sushovan surprises his caretaker by beginning to finish an unfinished painting, a sign of hope after a long time.

Review and Significance

"M" Ayurakshi is a drama film without the typical dramatic elements. Its direct and casual approach makes it feel less like a traditional movie. The characters and their conversations appear very relaxed, without any overwhelming intensity. However, a deeper significance can be found in these casual moments through careful observation. Many scenes contain monosyllabic responses or casually spoken sentences that imply an entire situation without elaborate dramatization. The performances of each actor contribute to this seamless flow, which is the film's true beauty.

Soumitra Chatterji delivers a phenomenal performance. He skillfully navigates from one topic to another, often appearing disoriented, and conveys his disapproval of his son's messy beard with finesse. The friendship between Aryanil and Sahana is beautifully depicted, showcasing a casual intimacy that resembles the bond of school or college friends, devoid of any erotic undertones. All the actors have done an excellent job.

I have heard many viewers criticize the film for its lack of conclusion, twists, or shock value. However, for me, this is precisely what makes the movie stand out. Its sombre and mundane screenplay conveys a great deal without explicitly stating much.

Release, Cast, Characters

Mayurakshi was released in 2017.

Cast

Prasenjit Chatterji as Aryanil

Soumitra Chattopadhyay as Sushovan

Indrani Halder as Sahana

Sudipta Chakroparty as Malika

I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z