Sudhendu Roy's Uphaar is one wonderful film relating the story of Minoo, a young village girl who is still a little kid by heart. Minoo is a highly mischievous prankster, and her parents get daily complaints from villagers who keep grumbling about her inappropriate behaviour. Soon her parents marry her against her will to a young student named Anoop, who previously instantly fell for her in spite of her childishness. The film follows Minoo's life as a young bride, her lack of acclimation to her new surroundings where she still refuses to grow up, and ultimately her coming-of-age and maturation.
Based on Rabindranath Tagore's short story Samapti, Uphaar is a brilliant little film. It is very authentic and at points reminds one of some of Shyam Benegal's then-future pictures. Sudhendu Roy directs it with a lot of heart. He captures the spirit of the small village and keeps everything simple and real, yet without ever making it look overly banal. There isn't a single dull moment in the film and I personally was kept on the edge of my seat throughout the show. The sequences showing Minoo's sudden realisation of having fallen in love and her subsequent regrets and pain are the film's best.
The more I watch Jaya Bhaduri in different movies, the more I appreciate her abilities. I think she was probably the best actress of those years in mainstream Hindi cinema. She was professionally trained in acting, and while her skills are evident, she is just such a gifted natural talent (as previously evidenced in Satyajit Ray's Mahangar in which she acted when she was still a teenager). She is superb in this movie. Everything about her is real, spontaneous and genuine, and here she plays the spoilt brat with great conviction. Her character's transformation and coming-of-age are brilliantly played.
Apart from Bhaduri, who clearly owns this show, the supporting cast is in top form. The one who impressed me the most is Kamini Kaushal, who is outstanding as the weary mother in-law. Swarup Dutt is very fine as the patient, soft-spoken and kindhearted husband. For me Uphaar was a very enjoyable film. Sudhendu Roy is better known as an art director for many popular movies. This film was his first directorial venture and sadly he did not go on to direct that many movies and stuck to his main job. Anyway, Uphaar is a worthy film and a little-known gem which is highly recommended.
