Praktan-a tale of diverging relationships

A song I really loved from the movie

Whenever it is about bengali movies, there is a different feeling and reviewing it becomes a task, given to the emotional pressure. Possibly staying away from Bengal infuses love for the language, culture and state in a more illustrious way. So whenever these movies hit the theatres in Mumbai, we definitely make it a point to watch.

Today I want to explicitly pour my feelings on the undertaken emotional journey last weekend. Yes "Praktan" meaning former is a tale of diverging emotional vulnerabilities. The title is a reflection of the relationship status of the leading pair Ujaan and Sudipa, played by acting stalwarts Prosenjit Chatterjee and Rituparna Sengupta respectively. These actors have evolved with every undertaken role and have infused life into them which is largely unremitting. 

But what intrigues me about "Praktan" is the way the story or the essence has been conveyed to the audience. This movie is a journey, both literally and metaphorically. The characters have boarded "Gyaneshwari Express" and are on their way from "Mumbai" to "Kolkata". And as the train roll along, they take us through a soul-searching voyage on relationships, emotions and a layer beneath the conspicuous.

While Sudipta is sharing bracket with her "praktan" husband's current wife played by Aparajita Auddy and his child, and is evidently in a coup of emotional outburst. There are other characters who portray different colours of human correspondence. In one coupe there are well known musicians from Bengal, playing themselves in the movie. While this coupe originates music throughout the journey which resonates through personal spaces of the characters and the audience alike, Surojit Chatterjee also touch upon his sad retire from the celebrated Bangla Band "Bhoomi". In another coupe an elderly couple played by Soumitra Chattopadhyay and Sabitri Chattopadhyay, emphasise the beauty of togetherness in that age. While another coupe has a fat, insecure husband with his beautiful wife, who probably are facing the insecurities for the first time in that train, on their honeymoon trip. So in a nutshell Shiboprasad Mukherjee and Nandita Roy, converted Gyaneshwari into a melting pot of diverse emotions.

Ujaan and Sudipa had married each other in love. Their intellectual bent of mind had attracted them to an extent of tying the knot. However they discover each other only after they  are together. And eventually their love faces a defeat against their immense egos and grossly incompatible sensibilities, leading to a separation. But can a signature really separate people? Well, this movie is an answer. Ujaan and Sudipa continue to love each other, with hearts full of complains. And when fate brings them face to face after 10 long years, they discover the hidden emotions and gracefully quit a realm which had given them the first taste of love.

Praktan leaves you in a space of thought. You tend to weigh your feelings and somewhat rectify which might go wrong. While everyone have acted unbelievably natural, Aparajita Auddy steals the show by her loud yet lovable character. In totality it was a great watch. Kudos to the team. And thanks for the soulful trip of "Tilottama", a breathe of fresh air for people like us!!!!

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta