Putulnacher Itikatha

Suman Mukhopadhyay's 2025 film, Putulnacher Itikotha, is a cinematic adaptation of Manik Bandyopadhyay's classic novel of the same name. The film, which stars Abir Chatterjee as Dr. Shashi and Jaya Ahsan as Kusum, has been a highly anticipated project, given the iconic status of the original literary work.

The film's plot, much like the novel, revolves around the life of Dr. Shashi, an urbane doctor who returns to his native village. He finds himself entangled in the complex lives of the people there, particularly in the emotional and sexual dynamics with the women he encounters, including the spirited Kusum. The story is a deep exploration of love, sexuality, destiny, and death, and the way human lives are often pulled like puppets by unseen forces.

* Abir Chatterjee as Shashi: Abir Chatterjee's casting as Shashi has been met with positive feedback, with many feeling that he was a perfect fit for the role. The actor himself has spoken about the complexity of the character, particularly the internal conflict between reason and blind faith, and the indecisiveness that is a core part of the Bengali psyche.

* Jaya Ahsan as Kusum: Jaya Ahsan's portrayal of Kusum, a character often seen as a symbol of unfulfilled desire and a challenge to patriarchal norms, has also been a point of discussion. The film seems to delve into the complexities of her character, exploring her aspirations and the societal constraints she faces.

* The Adaptation: Adapting a literary classic is a challenging task, and director Suman Mukhopadhyay has acknowledged that some elements from the novel were omitted for the film. However, he has emphasized that the core essence and main themes of the original text have been preserved. The film is told from Shashi's perspective, which is a key directorial choice.

* Cinematic Style: The film's trailer and promotional material suggest a visually rich and atmospheric experience. The opening scene, with a wide shot of a river and a boat, is noted for its ability to immediately set the tone for the "puppet's tale" that is about to unfold.

Overall, Putulnacher Itikotha is being received as a haunting and well-executed adaptation of a literary classic. It is a film that promises to explore the profound conflicts of human existence, with strong performances from its lead actors and a director who has a history of successfully bringing complex literature to the big screen.

Suman Mukhopadhyay's Putulnacher Itikatha explores masculinity in ways that challenge filmmakers around the world. Every frame feels like a sonnet; crafted to poetic perfection by Sayak Bhattacharya's cinematography. The compositions, the colours, the score: everything is so vivid that you're swept up, as if pulled right out of your seat and into the heart of Bengal. You can almost smell the rain, feel the dust, and bask in the blue of moonlit nights. It's a truly immersive experience.

The story itself revolves around an introspective man caught between desire and duty. He sees the world as it is, often feels helpless, but never surrenders. A man who rides on his high stations, yet is constantly consumed by his own fallacies. Abir Chatterjee brings this layered character to life so convincingly; he has truly become one of the finest actors of our generation. The film's seamless weaving of contemporary questions of blind faith, historical context, and magical realism makes Putulnacher Itikatha a visual and emotional delight.

It's films like these, moments like these that make me proud to belong to a culture as rich and layered as Bengal's. Few films anywhere have explored masculinity with such sensitivity and depth. Words fall short of the admiration I feel for this remarkable work.