Certainly not the Aditya Vikram Sengupta we are familiar with! As it appears, he sacrificed some of his traditional aesthetics in order to develop his storytelling skills. This should not be considered a criticism, but I did miss the visual sophistication to which I have become accustomed.
Instead of a conventional human drama, "Once Upon a Time in Calcutta" is presented as a social commentary with an underlying sarcastic tone. It accurately depicts the current state of a renowned city that, despite the growing threat of modernization in the 20th century, is still clinging to its identity and culture, but at what cost?
How could this city survive the inevitable residues of civilization? Is it possible to cling to archaic rituals while leaping into an uncertain future? Will it lose its identity in the process, even if it comes to fruition? Will the "City of Joy" ever be the same?
These are some of the questions the director raised for us to ponder on, while wonderfully illustrating the anguish concealed beneath the illusion of joy and betterment.
