This is another masterpiece by Rituparno Ghosh. I had intended to watch the Hindi version but accidentally stumbled upon the Bengali one. However, I'm glad I did, as this version retains the original essence. During the first half, I suspected it might be a remake of the 1960 film "Ghunghat," but I later learned that both were inspired by the same novel. Honestly, this is the best adaptation of the novel. While "Ghunghat" is decent, "Noukadubi" has more emotional depth, aesthetic value, and less of a commercial feel. Even though the movie is quite slow-paced, you won't feel bored for a single moment.
This was my first time watching a film with any of these cast members. Believe me, they were absolutely brilliant and natural. From dialogue delivery to appearance, everything was perfect. Raima Sen and Riya Sen acted brilliantly in their respective roles, and it makes me wonder where we can find such natural actresses nowadays. Jisshu Sengupta was excellent throughout the film; give him any role, and he will nail it completely. Prosenjit Chatterjee also had a great performance in the film. I was surprised to learn that Raima Sen and Riya Sen are real-life sisters and the granddaughters of the legendary Suchitra Sen. No wonder they looked naturally beautiful. Dhritiman Chatterjee and Ammu Chatterjee also gave their best to their characters.
The cinematography is appealing, with enchanting views of the riverside.
The soundtrack by Raja Narayan Deb didn't have much of an impact on me, as most of the tracks are poetic and slow-paced. However, this allowed me to be more drawn to the plot than the soundtrack. This is a major difference between "Noukadubi" and "Ghunghat," where "Ghunghat" had a more commercial soundtrack that might have detracted from the plot. However, the background score in "Noukadubi" is absolutely amazing.
In conclusion, "Noukadubi" is an aesthetic film that you must watch in your lifetime.
