Anik Dutta ranks at the top of my list of modern directors from Bengal. From the incredible, rib-tickling Bhooter Bhabishyat (Future of Ghosts) which redefined Bengali cinema, to a satirical look at globalisation through Ashchorjyo Prodeep (The Amazing Lamp), to the controversial Bhabishyater Bhoot (Ghosts of the Future) and more, his films span a wide spectrum. Aparajito is his latest film.

A tribute to the legendary Satyajit Ray on his birth centenary, the film traces the story behind the making of Pather Panchali. Though Ray’s first film, it went on to become an international sensation for both form and content, and ranks in the list of the greatest films ever made. While names of characters and films have been changed, the narrative remains faithful to real life incidents.

The black and white Aparajito is languid, lyrical and immensely laudable. The lead cast is inspired. Jeetu Kamal has imbibed the character so well that at times I had to remind myself that it was not Satyajit Ray on screen. If stories are to be believed, the director and crew were stunned with his transformation into Ray. Similarly Saayoni Ghosh who plays his wife. The scene stealer however is the astonishingly perfect dubbing of the lead character, with not a syllable looking out of sync. Dubbing was required since Jeetu Kamal’s voice isn’t a Ray-esque baritone. A lot of the scenes are recreations of Ray’s immortal film, making it possible for modern audiences to relate to the maestro. Debojyoti Mishra pulls off a coup by melding his musical sensibilities with Pandit Ravi Shankar‘s inimitable music which graced the original Pather Panchali.

You will love Aparajito if you are Bengali by birth. You will love Aparajito if you are Bengal-y in your heart. You will love Aparajito if you enjoy good cinema. You will love Aparajito because there is not a moment in this film full of heartwarming, poignant, ironic, funny moments, that falls short of perfection.

I could go on about the film, without doing full justice. So I will rest my case by stating that it belongs to the not-to-be-missed category. Make sure you catch it on screen or when it gets to an OTT platform.

IMDb: 9.4/10

My rating: 10/10

Copyright © Taraa Vermaa Senguptaa, June 2022

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