Protishroti

Today, I had the opportunity to watch the film "Protishroti" in Tezpur, and unfortunately, the experience was far from enjoyable. In fact, it was quite dreadful. Imagine if cringe-worthy moments and amateurish writing were to combine, and then their offspring marries flat dialogue delivery; the resulting product would be this film. By the intermission, it felt as if an eternity had already passed.

The story of "Protishruti" appears to have originated as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) and was then inexplicably stretched into a full-length feature film. The movie does carry a significant message for the youth: to stop using drugs and live a healthier life. This is indeed a commendable objective. However, there is a glaring contradiction in the way the protagonist frequently roams around on a motorbike without wearing a helmet. It seems that for the director, protecting one's head and brain is not as crucial. Perhaps the director wanted the audience to leave their brains at home before watching the film. If you are looking to establish a role model, you cannot choose between avoiding drugs and not wearing a helmet; both are equally important.

Furthermore, the film's dialogue delivery was problematic. It seems the director hired a translator to convert a few lines from Assamese to English, but then decided to overuse the translator's services to get their money's worth. The film was littered with unnecessary English dialogues that could have easily been in Assamese. The Inspector General (IG) speaking English was particularly jarring; instead of coming across as a strong character, the weak dialogue delivery undermined his authority. In fact, apart from Plabita Borthakur, whenever any character spoke English, it felt awkward and forced, suggesting a lack of confidence. This directorial choice is baffling and detracts significantly from the film's authenticity.

Another perplexing aspect was the unnecessary romantic subplot between Simran and Sidharth Kashyap's character. Must a woman always fall in love with a man she is helping? Why perpetuate the stereotype that women need to "fix" a man's life? This was a needless addition that only served to dilute the film's primary message.

In conclusion, "Protishroti" had the potential to be a powerful film with its important message against drug use, but it fell short due to its poor execution, inconsistent character behaviors, and unnecessary romantic angle. Despite its flaws, there were a few redeeming aspects. Therefore, I am awarding the movie three stars: one for the song "Ringa Ringa," one for Plabita Borthakur's performance, and one for Bibhuti Hazarika's contribution.

Ultimately, while the film aims to deliver a critical social message, it is crucial that filmmakers also pay attention to the details that ensure the message is conveyed effectively and believably. "Protishroti," regrettably, misses the mark in this regard.