Nishartho Bhalobasha translates into English as Selfless Love but as this is a Bangla film, eyebrows should not be raised when the English translation becomes “What is Love?”
Does this make sense? Perhaps not, but listen, people go to the cinema hall to have a good time, forget reality and go home feeling uplifted; and if they are lucky, they return with the definition of love.
No introduction is required for Ananta Jalil, the business magnate turned film star, who is usually known as AJ. While you may snigger at his antics in and outside the film world, there is no denying AJ has almost single-handedly revived interest in our local films. Does that mean our movies have become more plausible? Far from it, but sometimes you must enjoy total fantasy and stop looking for credibility.
So when AJ steps out of an aircraft, which has Thai tourism identification marks and then walks right into a concert hall in Bangladesh, you have to accept it. After all, if Superman can cover continents in seconds, why not AJ? He is, among other things, a superhero.
OK, he wears a red wig but we love it (even more in a cinema hall when we are merry). What about those huge belt buckles he wears? They are inspired! Someone please get me a buckle shaped like rhino horns.
In this recently released movie, Ananta is a megastar and Meghla (Borsha) plays a wannabe model. She aspires to the top but it appears that all those who promote models are highly-sexed men trying to replicate Caligula style hedonistic orgies in their offices. “If you want something, you have to give something” is their motto but Meghla is not willing to let these wolves touch her.
In Ananta she finds a gentle person devoid of any vices, willing to go the extra mile to help her. She gets the car, the apartment and all the love one can wish for, but alas, like they say, the allure of the wicked is always overpowering.
Soon, Meghla is found cavorting with the dubious and drinking whisky like water. To get to the top, people tell her, you have to walk with Johnnie Walker and Meghla is so thrilled she literally runs. Glasses are filled and the party goes on and on, with even the bartenders also joining in.
However, her model agency patrons clearly plan to get her drunk and make her engage in intimate acts. But don’t worry for AJ arrives on time, looking the part of the savior in buckles, boots and his funky jacket. Never minding once that it is summer!
Meghla is contrite and after a ‘please forgive me’ session, our man AJ relents. To err is of course human and to forgive superhuman, so his forgiveness is expected.
But Meghla cannot stay within a conventional life for long and starts a cyber- relationship. Once more AJ is deceived but is soon forgiving and a they return to traditional living.
Unfortunately, a business tycoon involved in human trafficking and drug smuggling lures Meghla into his web with promises of Bollywood.
Yet again AJ is not part of her reverie. Heartbroken, Ananta is engulfed by rage. He walks a path strewn with burning coal, stops a large truck with a punch, to seek the meaning of love. No one can give an answer and hence, after leaving all his property to “heartless and avaricious” Meghla, he decides to commit suicide.
It soon transpires of course that Meghla has been taken for a ride again and just before AJ takes the leap to end his life, the phone rings. Can he come and save Meghla and sign a document giving away his property to the bad guy?
He duly jumps, beats the hell out of a dozen guys, saves the girl, stopping a bullet with his chest along the way to end up in intensive care. Does he die? Naturally not, for AJ is our super hero. Meghla, settles on AJ’s chest and promises never to leave. For some unvarnished fun, watch Nishartho Bhalobasha. Plausibility be damned, AJ rules!
