SoumikBanerjee1996

It seems like the film attempts to juggle too many topics at once. If it had focused exclusively on the central idea of "Swapping" mobile phones for a day, the overall message would have been much clearer.

The subplot involving Pradeep's sister-in-law and her potential husband felt like unnecessary baggage. Similarly, the inclusion of the ramifications of deepfakes, fraudulent accounts, and social media misdemeanours muddled the narrative, making it harder to grasp the main point.

The effort to blend humour with drama only added to the complication.

That said, I enjoyed the quirky, comedic touches, largely due to Pradeep's exceptional technical expertise. However, I can't extend the same praise to the more 'serious' moments; the transition between these contrasting tones lacked the smoothness it required.

I can't quite remember a film, at least from my recent viewing sessions that delves into an actor's vulnerabilities with such honesty and boldness.

The narrative not only reveals Arindam's personal battles, cleverly hidden beneath the veneer of his success and fame, but it also acts as a critique of the industry, the reporting media, and, most importantly, the audience; who are ultimately the consumers of this manufactured spectacle.

Filmed with the renowned technical prowess of Satyajit Ray and the effortless elegance of Uttam Kumar, who commands every frame by the way, particularly in two standout dream sequences, where each moment is visually stunning and carries significant weight from a narrative standpoint.

While it may not tug at my heartstrings as deeply as some of Ray's other masterpieces, like "Devi" or "Mahanagar," it remains commendable for its craftsmanship alone!

The stories woven through Ray's works are remarkably straightforward; they do not aim for any grandiosity or rely on flashy gimmicks. Instead, they tend to reflect the society and simply mirror its people with stunning clarity.

Take "The Big City" (Mahanagar), for instance. It's inherently a tale of female empowerment that not only critiques the rigid structures of patriarchy but also champions the importance of mutual understanding and the coexistence of diverse ideologies.

However, rather than attacking individuals shaped by age-old prejudices, the film highlights the harmful practices and seeks to challenge the reluctance to evolve and adapt.

Yet again demonstrated through Ray's unparalleled mastery in framing and staging scenes. He expertly foreshadows unspoken emotions and conveys a wealth of unsaid thoughts, showcasing the aspirations and complexities of his characters beautifully.

And the best thing is, the subject as well as this film still holds relevance, even after six long decades since its first release (1963).