Bela sheshe- A movie review

Trailer of the Movie "Belasheshe"

My recent movie watch was that of a Bengali movie. However I firmly believe that art is not bound by the fetters of language like us. It is universal and any creation that is commendable art should be applauded for whatever it is. “Bela Sheshe” meaning dusk is one such.  Directed by Nandita Roy and Shiboprasad Mukherjee, this movie gives the rare opportunity of experiencing veteran actors Soumitra Chattopadhyay and Swatilekha Sengupta together on screen. It is worth mentioning, that this rare occurrence happened 30 years back in Satyajit Ray’s “Ghare Baire”. The ensemble cast of this movie includes actors like Rituparna Sengpta, Aparajita Auddy, Monami Ghosh, Indrani Dutta, Kharaj Mukhopadhyay, Shankar Chakraborty, Anindya Chatterjee and others.

Relationships are really more than we can perceive. Rendezvous with one’s own expectations sometimes leaves a lingering feeling of dissatisfaction and emptiness. Years cannot breach the gap, commemoration, empathy and blissful understanding are the medicines to this ailment. We are human and very much so. Rising above ourselves is never an easily accomplished goal for us. Marital life is an example where strains are often felt in relationships due to gaps which can be mended but how. Bela Sheshe dwells on the realms of those human emotions, portraying the issue through couples of varied age groups and varied degree of incompatibility. It kind of gives a clue to that “how”.

When a couple after 50 years of togetherness come on the verge of separation, taking their kids by utter shock is a situation, not very common in the Indian societal structure. The west may term it as “Silver Separation” but we Indians can barely deal with it. Soumitra Chattopadhyay plays the man who decides to separate from his wife played by Swatilekha, just before their 50^th wedding anniversary. The events turn in a way that they go on a trip to Bolpur, as a last try to keep the knot intact.

The perception of love varies from one to another. The couple comes to terms with each other’s perception which 50 years of living together could not get them. But along with them their daughters and son and their respective partners also learn to appreciate the bliss of being blessed to be together. Acknowledging each other’s goods and accepting the bads. The story manages to flow laminar with its turbulent depiction of relationships. An intricate family drama that ends with an unsaid message, which forces you to hold your partner’s arm! The essence of Bengali life and living is also a treat to behold.

Acting wise everyone is just as natural as a blooming flower in dawn, but Aparajita and Kharaj steal the show with comic relief. Overall it is a must watch.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta