Macher Jhol is a yummy ensemble of emotions

The entertainment industry of India is evolving, with the encroachment of digital platforms, storytellers get opportunities like never before. We see movies being made on varied subjects, backdrops etc. This advancement is not limited to the Hindi movie industry, Bengali movies have also undergone radical transformations. The stern demarcation between commercial and urban or parallel cinema, has gradually mellowed, if not vanished completely. A freer thoroughfare of ideologies, performers and storytelling across this line of control is being witnessed these days.

Recently I watched a Bengali movie. Keeping the nostalgia, ethos and pathos of watching a Bengali movie outside Bengal aside, 'Maacher Jhol' truly intrigued me by its unique make. Director Pratim D Gupta has chosen a subject, which is largely untouched. Or rather he sings a known song in an unknown tune. He wraps a delectable blend of emotions, social taboos, conjectures in a newly baked crisp cover. And the cover, essentially consist of flavors, new to the Bengali audience. 

Maacher Jhol means the quintessential Bengali fish curry, which is associated with varied emotions and flavors that comprise the life of a bong. This tale is that of a man who aspires to be chef but finds himself trapped in the cobweb of expectations of his father. Veteran actor Mamata Shankar, excels playing the exemplary mother who resonates with the aspirations of her son, played by Ritwick Chakrabarty.

Ritwick is a treat to watch, in his absolute candid portrayal of the successful chef Debdatto based in Paris, with a doting french girlfriend. However his success story like all others, has dark patches too. Paoli Dam as the dauntingly self respecting wife of the chef, whom he leaves in Kolkata to pursue his dreams, must be applauded for her underplay which succeeds to overwhelm. 

The characters are well defined and their journeys converge laminar. When Debdatto comes to visit his ailing mother, the tangled threads of his life gradually loosen. When he strives hard to cook the 'Maacher Jhol', his mother wants to have, he learns about himself and encounters his inner demons.

While I end my narrative, I recommend this yummy treat of emotions to all movie lovers.

Dear Zindagi - A movie review

I woke very early that day, the sky had just turned crimson. The air was laden with sweet coldness which hit my face as I suddenly opened the french window. I breathed hard, my eyes were fluffy with last night's sleeplessness. I wonder if I had any clue, what the coming day had for me to look forward to. A strange pain originated in my chest and traversed painfully to the mid of my back. I kept breathing to the fullest of my lung capacity and kept telling myself "I am fine, I am fine, I am fine...."

Sounds familiar? Well! I believe everyone of us have moments when we feel cluelessness and emptiness filling our hearts. Times when we become unfamiliar to our own-selves, and seemingly loose control of our individual existence.

"Dear Zindagi" a movie directed and written by Gauri Shinde of "English Vinglish" fame, deals with those untouched realms of human psychology. Before going to reviewing this work of art, I confide that I loved every frame. It's a masterpiece and answers many unanswered questions that boggles many of us from time to time.

Kaira aka Koko, an attractive young cinematographer played by Alia Bhatt is a modern day girl. Her very frame is so urban, cool and fresh that you immediately fall in love. But Koko has more to her petite kitty. While she is great at what she does and nurses humongous career goals, she is complicated and is apparently not in a happy personal space. In the first half of the movie, it is fairly unclear that why Kaira is in the state of despondency that she is. But eventually it unfolds itself in a pace that it unifies itself with the audiences. Koko breaks up with her partner and seeks love in another guy, but unable to convey herself to him which eventually leads her to loosing him. 

In a state of dejection, self-pity and almost insomnia, Koko meets Jug aka Jahangir Khan, played by Shah Rukh Khan, a psychiatrist, therapist. The story actually starts to reveal itself only after this. SRK plays that dream Therapist that woman will seek to visit, but jokes apart, what an intricate portrayal.

While many a real time therapist, might object to Jug's unconventional way of counselling, but I feel that his therapy has worked for millions of movie-catchers. It might be unrealistic, but if any emotion connects heart to heart, I feel its superior to hard core reality.

Through the sessions we interpret Koko more and more, as we witness her, pouring herself in her "jug". And I believe many people will realistically connect to Koko's elucidation of life. At the end we discover, with some hidden moist at the corner of our eyes, a winner. A delectable transformation from a sulker to a person who sings "Love You Zindagi".

Coming to acting, Alia Bhatt delivered a heart warming performance, incredibly natural and superbly overwhelming. I can safely call it her best so far. She is an incredible actress. Shah Rukh Khan, is a delight to watch. Every second that he occupies the screen with his presence glorifies the movie. Life is difficult, but it is important to pour out, otherwise feelings of low conglomerate to an entangled lump of never fading sadness. Gauri Shinde has out done herself, by commemorating the spirit of life.I also thank her for breaking the societal taboos on mental health. 

"Dear Zindagi" is a piece of life served beautifully to the audience. It is a search of finding one's own identity. Alia, SRK and Gauri Shinde needs immense applause for creating this wondrous piece of art.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

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