Kaushik Ganguly on 'Ardhangini' OTT premiere: It shows women can play greater roles in our society, even if we fail to acknowledge it

Honoured with several national awards and widespread critical acclaim, Kaushik Ganguly has become a stalwart in Bengali contemporary cinema over the years. With his latest offering 'Ardhangini' the ace filmmaker once again hit the box office bull’s eye and now the film will soon come out on OTT platforms.
Written and directed by Kaushik Ganguly himself, 'Ardhangini' features his talented wife, Churni Ganguly, in the lead role.The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, with notable actors like Kaushik Sen and Jaya Ahsan in pivotal roles. As anticipation mounts, 'Ardhangini' is scheduled to premiere on OTT platforms on the 1st of October.
Following its successful theatrical run, Kaushik is now brimming with excitement as 'Ardhangini' prepares to captivate the OTT audience. Giving a sneak peek into the origins of this intense relationship drama, the National Award-winning director shared with ETimes, "After turning 50, I realized that people often contemplate mortality. While conventionally regarded as the midpoint of life, 50 is actually a little beyond that. It's the stage when individuals frequently ponder their vulnerabilities in the face of illness, nurturing apprehensions about the future. I experienced this as well, and 'Ardhangini' was conceived in that emotional crucible."
In 'Ardhangini,' the character of Kaushik Sen lies in a coma, and the dynamics between his current wife, who knows the present and future, and his ex-wife, who holds the key to the past, take center stage. This intricate interplay forms the core of the narrative, giving birth to the film's evocative title, 'Ardhangini.' It's important to note that this is not a conventional love triangle; rather, it delves into the complexities of responsibility, possessiveness, and societal norms that shape these relationships.
The movie artfully weaves the story of Suman, an elderly man who meets with a sudden accident, compelling his wife and ex-wife to confront each other in this emotionally charged and complex situation. As these two women navigate their deep-seated biases for the sake of Suman's well-being, it sparks a profound conflict within them, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
Kaushik Ganguly's own life story adds a touch of intrigue to the film's themes. Reflecting on how 'Ardhangini' would affect him if his ex-girlfriends were to meet his wife, Churni, Kaushik humorously recalls his university days, saying, "Oh, my life has been very boring. I became a boring person when I was 37. I had a lot of friends at Jadavpur University and I also liked a few of the girls. However, that has never been reciprocated. All my girlfriends bro-zoned or friend-zoned me."

However, Kaushik's uniqueness lies in his ability to intricately weave human emotions into his stories, exploring conflicts with profound accuracy. 'Ardhangini' exemplifies this prowess, delivering a finely executed family drama that promises to resonate with audiences who appreciate the genre.
The real-life love story of Kaushik and Churni who met at university and fell in love despite their stark differences adds a delightful layer of personal connection to the film. Kaushik recalls their initial encounter, saying, "I was head over heels in love with her, and all our friends dissuaded me. It was evidently a miscast – I was an SFI cadre, and she was from Kurseong’s Dow Hill School. We were poles apart. There was a chance that I could have been like Ganesh Mondol of Bishorjan. I could have started living right next to her house if Churni refused me. I think that’s why she accepted my proposal."
In addition to the captivating screenplay and direction, 'Ardhangini' benefits immensely from Anupam Roy’s soul-stirring music and Gopi Bhagat’s brilliant cinematography. The film's runtime of two hours and fifteen minutes reflects Kaushik Ganguly's storytelling finesse, holding the audience captive throughout as they become immersed in the intricate emotional conflicts of the characters.