A Death in the Gunj

What a debut for Konkona Sen Sharma!!! A death in a gunj is a kind of movie that all along has your attention. Apart from the star cast that includes the likes of Ranvir Shorey, Om Puri, Tanuja & Kalki, the movie also has a unique screenplay.It's a kind of thriller which also has emotional side to it. The background score sync completely to the genre. Surely a must watch...

A brilliant thematic adaptation of Tagore's "Unwanted" theme coupled with a tragic turn of fate. What enables a caterpillar to morph into a butterfly is profound tendering and patience. But what if the society around us is too harsh and abides by the principle of "Survival of the fittest" ? The infinite possibility of blossoming can often be nipped in the bud. Set in the picturesque small town of McCluskieganj of late 70s, the story depicts the tale of a young man Shyamal aka Shatu (Vikrant Massey) who's a misfit in an otherwise boisterous and well to do group. He suffers from an identity crisis, yearns for love and has no idea of what to do with life. He struggles to deal with his emotions and frequently gets sidelined by others. What happens with him in a week's stay in the small town is what the film all about.

Cinematography is simply breathtaking which gives a 70s feel and yet appears glossy and fresh. The ensemble starcast is the biggest asset combining actors of mettle - Om Puri, Tanuja, Tilottama Shome, Ranvir Shorey, Gulshan Devaiah, Jim Sarbh and Kalki Koechlin. All were literally fantastic with Massey being the icing on the cake.

This is Konkona Sensharma's debut direction and it simply acts as a corollary to the fact that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Today I saw "Death in the Gunj"

It is a slow movie. But once you have patience and if you can soak into its characters - The Bangla bourgeois culture, their liberalism, their talks, the way they look and behave (making the casting perfect); and if you can sustain yourself absorbed till the end the impact of the movie is not good but Overwhelming... Especially for those who have a sensitive soul, who can feel deep down the anguish and pain of a single individual.

Here the single individual is Shutu (Vikram Massey) whose character and psyche is known to us through peeling of each layer through small exchanges of dialogues and incidences. Shutu lost his father when he was 7 years, he does not have a good relation with his mother, who always scolds him, he is bad in studies, and has failed, he is bullied by his friends and talked down and even beaten by this elder brother. He is simple, shy, incoherent, child-like and finds solace and innocent friendship with his niece Tani (Arya Sharma) during a small gathering over a week with family and friends at a hill station house.

Events unfold in such a way that Shutu is initiated to sex by Mimi (Kalki Koechlin) who just wants to have fun and get over her love for Vikram (Ranvir Shorey) who is marrying someone else. By the end of the movie things do not work out for Shutu who is ignored, forgotten by everyone and shunned even by the little girl Tani. Yet with love in his eyes he pins his hopes on Mimi who ignores his feelings and advices him to concentrate on studies and life (sounds so familiar). It is a psychological take on a simple boy Shutu who is driven to death, but unfolding of events – where everyone is unconsciously selfish (as a way of life) and happy with what one has in life – except Shutu, who feels lonely, ignored and useless (even being used by that little girl).

While coming out of the theatre one feels, if once, someone – the little girl Tani, or Mimi would have held Shutu's hand and consoled him, would have given him strength and hope to live life.

It is a great debut of Konkana Sen Sharma as a director. All the actors and actresses have acted superbly. Special mention of Vikram Massey as Shutu who lives his character's flaws like real. The slow and lingering shots are exquisite and a treat on the eye. The detailing is perfect. Music is appropriate with mix of a couple folk tunes and lingering sadness of violin.

This movie is recommended for the typical arty type sensitive movie goers – who want to see good different cinema - This is the one!

(Rating 7.5 out of 10)

Femme fatale and a sensitive young man. The story of my life.

In a resort town in 1970s India a sensitive young man, Shutu, is recovering from a series of traumas. He runs into the wrong family and the wrong woman. Even more unfortunate for him, spirits from the past inhabit people and take care of unfinished business.

India isn't all Bollywood. There is much more to the country and to its film industry. This film dares to think outside the box. I love how it weaves nature, color, song, spirits, eclectic people, and foreign myths into a compelling story. It is based on a true short story by Mukul Sharma.

It's one of the most beautiful movies I've watched in a while. While other movies in this genre (practically non-existent in Bollywood) generally take up to 20 minutes to build up to the main story this one is intriguing right from the start. We know that someone's going to die, and we know who it is, 5 minutes into the movie. But this ain't a murder mystery. It's about the events leading up to the death. It's about the characters developing, intermingling. Beautifully shot, with a calm, fantastic soundtrack (which, sadly isn't available to listen anywhere right now), I wish there were more movies like this.

I regret not being able to watch this when I could in the theatres (thanks Amazon).