From the desk of a Guest Writer:

Naukadubi – Tagore Revisited

Prosenjit and Raima in a still from Naukadubi

Rituparno Ghosh is a gem of the twenty-first century Bengali Film Industry and of course one of my favourite directors. His films have got a different taste and take the viewers to a different height.

His recent directorial venture 'Naukadubi' (The boat wreck) was able to get my attraction to the fullest. It has been inspired by the original work of Rabindranath Tagore.

Recently in an interview Rituporno said that Noukadubi is not a very popular work of Tagore. But he still chose this story; and has proved that it is popular in its own ways.

The whole story revolves around four characters, Ramesh (Jishu Sengupta), Hemnalini (Raima Sen), Kamala (Ria Sen), Nalinakhkha (Prasenjit Chatterjee) – their emotional journey of love. This story pictured how the fate of all of them are torn apart by an ugly natural disaster and how they cross each other in different intersections of life.

All the four characters are very well portrayed in the sense that relationships have no boundaries in spite of the conditions prevailing in our society in that era.

We could see tender love blossoming between a law student, Ramesh and his friend's sister, Hemnalini, which later gets torn and tattered when a mysterious letter comes to Ramesh from his father. And he surprisingly comes to know that he has to marry Susheela who is a poor, uneducated girl. In spite of the commitment toward his love, Ramesh had to marry according to his father's wish.
After getting married Ramesh sets off for Kolkata on a river with his newly wedded bride – Susheela. But on the way they were hit by an ugly storm – changing the fate of all of them. After gaining conscience Ramesh could only see the bride and there were no one else alive or dead. They finally return to Kolkata in a train. But the bride keeps on wondering why they are not going back to Kashi but still trusts and honours the judgement implicitly.
In the course of time Ramesh realizes that his actual wife Susheela was taken by the storm and the woman with whom he is sharing his daily integrities of life is the wife of another person residing in Kashi and his name is Nalinakhkha Chattopadhay. Now will Ramesh reconnect with his love? or search for Nalinakhkha, Kamala's husband? Or follow his responsibilities as husband of Kamala?
A lot of incidents happen in the movie and each one is invariably connected to the other. At times it may seem confusing but at the same time we can see different dimensions and layers in almost all the characters.
As the story mainly revolves around Ramesh, Hemnalini and Kamala and their emotional journey of love, affection and responsibilities. Hemnalini remains loyal to Ramesh till the end though there was a change of heart for a short span of time where she thought that Nalinakhkha is the perfect man of her life and can relieve her from all her griefs.
The film has got in it some reflections of Satyajit Ray. Jishu Sengupta made me recollect the memories of Satyajit Ray and none other than Saumitra Chatterjee in 'Apur Sangsar'. Even Ria had glimpses of Sharlima in her. Now we might start thinking why haven't yet Rituporno thought of remaking 'Apur Sangsar' with Jishu and Ria (Trust me they would look wonderful).
Jishu was very natural just the way we saw him in 'Abohoman'. He has improved a lot as an actor and has the talent to rise much higher and moreover he has already set an expectation in the viewers mind with his performance in this movie.

Ria was the surprise package or we might say the 'Show Stealer'. With voice over by Monali Thakur, Riya Sen was an eye candy in this movie and has proved what she is capable of. She might not have had a great career in Bollywood but Tollywood has greeted her with arms wide open.
She has done complete justice to her role.She also deserves all the applause considering the acting skills which was required for portraying 'Kamala' – an uneducated village girl who sticks to her husband till the very end and remains committed towards him though he had no particular liking for her.

Raima was as graceful and beautiful as we always see her.

Jishu and Ria in a still from Naukadubi

 Prosenjit Chatterjee's role was short and crisp. He never got the chance to portray much in this movie. But he did complete justice to the role he played.
Moreover we are already aware of Prosenjit's talent from the film ' Moner Manush'. I must say that 'Lalon' has won over 'Nalinakhkha' and 'Arun Chatterjee'.
After his award winning performance in 'Moner Manush' the tag line used in 'Autograph' seems to be very true with a little change in it - “I am Prosenjit Chatterjee, I am the industry”.

The story line of this movie is very simple if we look at it from a cinematic perspective. But Rituporno's treatment and direction has made it an exception and wins everyone's heart. Music has been used beautifully. The choice of Tagore songs and the way it has been used in each and every situation took the film to a different height altogether. Dialogues always play a very important part in Rituporno's movies and there was no exception to it here as well.

Last but not the least, I adored the movie and hopefully others will also do so. And we are also waiting for 'Chitrangada' – the next directorial venture of Rituporno, and as always he will be the winner.

(the above review is written by Arundhuti Dasgupta)