Top 3 Bengali Films I Watched Recently
Recently, I watched a variety of movies and web series. I plan to share my thoughts on some of the most significant ones in my upcoming posts. Today, I want to highlight three Bengali movies that I watched recently and really enjoyed. One of the standout films that I saw in theatres was "The Eken: Benaras e Bibhishika," for which I dedicated an entire review post. Therefore, I won't be discussing it again today. Instead, I will focus on the films I watched on OTT platforms.
1. Kabuliwala: We had two acclaimed directors who each adapted the iconic role of Kabuliwala for the screen, featuring legendary actors. Tapan Sinha's Bengali version, released in 1957, starred Chhabi Biswas in the titular role. In contrast, Hemen Gupta directed the Hindi adaptation of Tagore's short story, with Balraj Sahani portraying the same character. Both films were remarkable, and the lead actors delivered heart-touching performances. I have also heard about another adaptation titled "Bioscopewala," released in 2007, in which Danny Denzongpa played the lead. However, I have yet to watch that film.
The latest film adapted from this story was released in 2023 and is in Bengali. Directed by Suman Ghosh, the film stars Mithun Chakraborty in the titular role. After watching the previous two adaptations, I didn’t have very high expectations for this one, as the various TV versions I had seen never felt particularly touching. However, this film proved me wrong.
One of the main reasons for this was definitely Chakraborty’s heartfelt performance. Additionally, the film took a different approach to filmmaking that worked very well. The music by Indradip Dasgupta also deserves special mention, especially the song "Khushi ki Eid," performed by Javed Ali, which leaves a lasting impact. Abir Chatterji, Sohini Sarkar, Kanchan Mullik, and Sumit Samaddar have all given impressive performances. However, Anumegha Kahali, in her role as Mini, truly stands out as a powerhouse of talent. She not only captivated the audience in every scene but also managed to steal the show from the other actors. This film is a must-watch for families, my daughter loved it!
2. Athhoi: I had written about this film in one of my earlier posts. Directed by Arna Mukhopadhyay, the film is set in rural Bengal, where Athhoi Lodha (Othello) is a doctor and a Messiah for the poor and backwards. He elopes and gets married to Diyamona (Desdemona), much to her family's will. Gogo (Lago), a childhood friend of Athhoi, is secretly jealous of his popularity and plans a brutal game of deceit and revenge.
Everyone is familiar with this story, but the director has taken a unique approach by planning, executing, and narrating it from Gogo's perspective. Anirban Bhattacharya plays Gogo, who is the central character in this version of Othello. His jealousy fuels his confidence as he identifies and exploits the weaknesses of those around him. Rather than forging his own path, he involves himself in the lives of others, making their experiences miserable. Gogo's main objective is to succeed in a game of deceit and rivalry, which is orchestrated by the other characters involved, unbeknownst to them.
Arna Mukhopadhyay as Athhoi gives a believable performance, especially in the scenes where his rage-filled, demonic and insecure self exposes itself from beneath the soft-spoken and kind-hearted doctor. Anirban Bhattachrya as Gogo is terrific. In the ways he observes other people, their every detail, their strengths and weaknesses, and then makes use of them for his benefit, makes the viewer loathe the character. Sohini Sarkar was good in her role, and a special mention to Arpan Ghoshal as Mukul (Cassio).
3. Killbill Society: This is the most light-hearted movie that has depicted death, loss, etc. in a normal and positive light, much like its prequel, Hemlock Society. Poorna is an influencer turned actress, whose debut film has become a hit, but on the personal front, her rising demand has created a severe sense of insecurity in his boyfriend. Regular heated arguments and differences escalate when the boyfriend leaks their intimate videos. Poorna's life turns upside down as a result, and she decides to hire a hitman to kill herself. She is approached by a hitman, Mrityunjoy Kar, who guarantees to kill her in a way that minimizes pain.
The unique storytelling and Parambrata's performance as Mrityunjoy are the standout elements of the film, making it both enjoyable and memorable. Kaushani, portraying Poorna, is confident in her role, and special praise goes to Biswanath Basu as Petkata Shaw and Sandipta Sen as Sunaina, Poorna's elder sister. The film tackles serious themes such as death, shame, suicidal tendencies, and disease, but presents them in a surprisingly light-hearted manner. Although it concludes on a tragic note, it can't be classified as a tragedy; instead, it is a feel-good film that leaves you with a sense of happiness.
Srijit Mukherji's direction is sharp and enjoyable. I recommend watching its prequel, Hemlock Society, for a better understanding of the concept. The music by Anupam Roy leaves a soulful impression. I especially enjoy the song "Bhalobeshey Basho Na," which evokes similar feelings to "Ekhon Onek Raat" from Hemlock Society.
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