The review of Aparna Gangopadhyay compelled me to write this review. The review emphasized on "look matters" - my question is: is that so, for this specific movie? It depends on a taste: what is fair or what is ugly, it varies person to person. Moreover in a nutshell, all the three main characters are portrayed as thoughtful and self-illuminated, like it used to be in the older movies e.g. Galpa Holeo Satyi (1966), though the context is different. Over and all, these characters do not belong to the so-called intellectual high-class of Bengalee society. The Character of Ganesh Mandal is an excellent piece of creation, who does not fall into any category of hero or ante- hero. And it was acted so marvelous way by the writer, director and actor Kaushik Ganguly, especially he used his face such a way that sometimes it appears to be villainous, the other moment it becomes a very helpless person (for example, when Ganesh laments and breaks down in front of Padma). This is altogether a rare piece of character and a rare piece of acting as well. The acting of lady protagonist Padma was also done so well by Joya Ahsan. The final moments between Padma and Naser Ali were so vastly marked with grandeur. The deep dramatic portion is enacted so well inside such a small space of the room, and it becomes a piece of art at the end. The folk music of this movie is an integral part and contributed much to this movie. The song on Ichhamati river reminds us another similar situation in Komal Gandhar (E-flat, 1961). The work of music director Kalikaprasad is absolutely praiseworthy. Not much enthusiastic about the color or the usage lights in the movie much, maybe it is because of the quality of the film one could watch. However the Naser Ali character, which is well-portrayed by Abir, has a kind of reluctance or diffidence. The success of the movie is that it drives us to many questions like why Padma liked Naser Ali, and did not like Ganesh Mandal? Is the reluctant and respectful Naser Ali was more attractive than Ganesh Mandal, who desires her awfully? This film actually tells us the stories of the people who live in the core part of society where around 25% are under poverty line, and where male parts of the society generally dominate and make all decisions for the other parts. One may take this as a fight of a lady to have her own choice for her partner; of course she fails completely in this structure of society, but she fought her best to be with her beloved however small it is; this fight is very important because it matters for the future.
