When I first saw the movie still of Pushkara featuring Sabyasachi on temple stairs, I sensed it is going to be a unique Odia film. After watching it at Cinepolis in Esplanade, Bhubaneswar, I was truly impressed.
The cinematography, screenplay, music, and dialogues were exceptional, beautifully showcasing Odia culture with references to Boita Bandana, Sahi Jatra, Swarga Dwar, and the Puri accent.
Pushkara is a must-see for all, not just Odia viewers. It's thoughtfully subtitled in English, offering a glimpse of our beautiful state.
The casting was spot on. Sabyasachi Mishra delivered a versatile performance, and Supriya Nayak was delightful as Sunanda. Her character was well-defined and equally important.
The story unveils in layers, with some predictability but still holding the audience's attention. It evoked grief, suspense, drama, humor, and tragedy. The brilliant climax was as praised as described.
The audience laughed and related to the portrayal of Odia sons and daughters' complex relationship with their fathers. Many felt it was a personal failure not to meet their father's expectations. Tears flowed during the end credits, but Sabyasachi's in-person gracious entrance, thanking the audience, was a fitting conclusion.
