After 49 years of marriage, Bishwanath Mojumdar realised that his conjugal life had nothing to do with love. It was all about a few routine habits and responsibilities. He wanted to break free from the shackles, he wanted freedom, he wanted divorce.
The movie focuses on the domestic disputes and how often couples tend to confuse love with habits. It explores an entire plethora of emotions, as viewers are taken through the journey of marriage to see how it evolves, changes and sometimes falls prey to lost emotions. It is, most definitely, a very touching movie. There will be times when the viewer will be compelled to shed tears.
This movie reminds viewers of how Indian cinema has made a significant progress and how well films in Kolkata are made. Arati Devi’s role was played by Swatilekha Shengupta, whose acting is extraordinary and worthy of praise. She played it so well that, despite her age, viewers can’t help but admire her. Before reviewing the bittersweet part of the movie, readers must know that there is a major spoiler alert.
The husband in this movie, is a man who worked all his life, keeping himself busy by reading books, spending time with writers, publishers and readers to the point where he lost track of his life with family. His wife, on the other hand, bore him four children, raised and looked after their education and well-being along with looking after her husband’s sick father. Not just that, she also managed the household, cooked for the family, guided the maids and even looked after every little need her husband may have had. She did everything to help him reach the heights of success, sacrificing her wants and needs to help him become famous.
As the movie progresses, the husband in the film, discovers that his wife cannot take care of her day-to-day tasks anymore. He accuses her of not taking an interest in his life, to read the books in the library and give him reviews. He also accuses her of not being an independent woman. However, he forgets that 49 years ago a little girl entered his home, turning into a wife before she had the chance to find out who she was or where she was headed. Her only job was to look after the family which she did earnestly. Despite all she is berated for not being “smart and independent” like the widow publisher’s wife.
Again, Mojumdar’s eldest son and his wife are found to be falling out of love. Why, you may wonder? The wife is educated, self-dependent and also has her own boutique shop. She is smart and intelligent, yet they are not happy with each other. The reason behind it is, under all that domestic chaos the love is lost. The beautiful, stylish, smart girl starts to fade away as they begin calculating grocery bills and discussing the daily details of their lives. Every evening is about their children, school, grocery, maid etc; they do not talk about their merits, careers or their passions anymore. Soon, she too, turns into someone who is uninteresting, and eventually he can’t help but find himself in an extramarital relationship.
Overall, as we go from scene to scene we cannot but admire the beauty of this movie. It’s a movie embedded with life lessons, and is definitely a must-watch for every couple. Conjugal life is not just about habits formed over time. It’s about affection, learning about each other, and growing in the process. This movie is one that really makes you learn about loving in a different way.
Cast: Shoumitra Chatterjee, Swatilekha Shengupta
Special courtesy: Afroz Mahbub Swatee
