Chorus

I feel this is a very significant film in Indian cinema, as significant as say 'Pather Panchali'. It reveals the tilt that Indian art cinema took towards a more narrative classical approach after the lukewarm response to this work. Even the subsequent Mrinal Sen turned contemplative and less experimental in his later films, which many film buffs feel was his most creative phase (Kharij, Ek Din Pratidin & Khandahaar).

CHORUS is arguably the most experimental film in Indian cinema (Sunil Dutt's single actor 'Yadein' also comes to mind). It is a social satire made in a style which is part documentary, part Fellini fantasy, farcical - almost bordering on gimmickry & degenerating into a communist manifesto with innovate camera-work (just watch the 'melee going berserk'sequence towards the end) and sound (Fight sequences, Army march conveyed through appropriate devices). Even Bunnel used similar sound devices in his acclaimed film 'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie'(1972) to highlight Army march, and Mrinal Sen in all likelihood could not have been influenced by Bunnel given the marginal gap between the two works.

Stylistically, this is easily the most liberal work from Mrinal Sen. Embolden with the success of BHUVAN SHOME a few years back, and mixed success with experimentation in his earlier works like 'Interview' & 'Calcutta 71,' CHORUS attains the zenith in deviating from conventional norms of Indian film making. This is truly a unique attempt at serious social commentary, using rather playful devices. Again thematically and technically similar to Bunnel's 'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie' - the bourgeoisie is attacked, but the tone is more of amusement than outrage.