Shob Charitro Kalponik

Ask any outside observer of Indian cinema, even in the hey day of Bollywood, about Bengali film and the bright ones will still come to a halt after Satajit Ray.

Well that was then and this slow moving thoughtful drama is a different animal and a also a distance from the Hindi Cinema which is creeping into multiplexes.

The so gorgeous Miss Basu is sorting out her recollections of her dead poet husband, who neglected the finance needed to run the home to the point where the motherly maid went without food, and seemed more interested in cricket on TV than their relationship. Will she make it with the associate who was a fan of the husband to the point of having a seven foot photo mural made of his face? Lots of lingering 'scope scenics and curious anatomical close ups. It's kind of self defeating because whatever they are trying to say takes careful analytical thinking, while the solemn pacing encourages the viewer to drift of.

After 'Abohomaan' the last Ghosh film that I saw, my expectations for 'Shob Choritro Kalponik' were quite low. More so because it had Bipasha Basu in the lead. Not that I have anything against Ms. Basu, I just think she's an average actress at best. Now I'm glad I saw the movie because Ghosh's film is about coming to terms with loss. I wouldn't say it's about grieving as it would appear to be but it's more about the loss of love in a marriage, the loss of opportunity, the loss of faith, the loss of oneself and the loss of a loved one. Thankfully 'Shob Choritro Kalponik' does not ramble on about these subjects but rather explores them from Radha's point of view. Ghosh beautifully infuses poetry and metaphors against photographic visuals. Many of the wonderful poems have nostalgic value. The cast is very good. Bipasha Basu delivers her finest performance so far (even though there are a few sequences where she struggles to emote right). Prosenjit is competent as Radha's husband who knows nothing but poetry. Jishu Sengupta is passable. Sohag Sen is terrific as Radha's maid and housekeeper. 'Shob Choritro Kalponik' is a journey into Radha's world where she is living as a working wife but she's also lost somewhere in search of significance. Ghosh has once again satisfied his viewer and I for one am pleased to see that he's back on track.

Despite having the very old legends as Bharat Bhushan and Guru Dutt, very few movies are made in our country depicting the life of a poet - and this film is a Citizen Kane version of it. The beautiful poems are written by the great Joy Goswami himself. Other than that, the art direction did superb work here - camera and editing is be grand as usual. And, one more time, kudos to the dubbing department. Even though the leading lady, Bipasha Basu, knew bengali well and latter complained that "Rituda" could have given a chance her to speak :D.

The fact that Bipasha's voice has been dubbed by someone else is the reason I couldn't agree to watch this film. I am familiar with both the voices and it bugged me for awhile before I decided to quit. This move was very disrespectful towards the actress. You should've chosen someone else with the native tongue or use Bipasha's original voice.

You don't watch this movie, you feel it. You don't hear the poetry in this movie, you adore it. Such was Rituparno's Shob Charitro kalponik.

The dual life of a poet cut deep retrospective in his other half's life soon after he passes off. The wife suddenly realises that her husband seemed a different person now that he is gone. He is not her husband, not the poet, but he is his poetry, or who is he?

It's not just spectacular, you will ponder deeply who we are, after watching this beautiful piece.