Subhash Ghai and his company, Mukta Searchlight, seem to be encouraging some young filmmakers doing alternate cinema. I saw two trailers of films coming from his stable, even as I saw the one that was actually released, viz. Kashmakash.
Kashmakash is based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore, called Nauka Dubi. Story-wise, there are elements of a Salim Javed lost and found style of old. But other than that, there is no resemblance to typical Hindi cinema at all.
In fact, it is a classical Bengali style, based in the 1920s, and superbly directed by Rituparno Ghosh.
The story is about dialogue, and moves slowly. Yes, there are times when it seems too slow too. But if you can take the slow pace, there are enjoyable moments in the film.
There are elements of small town, and of periods gone by. Old houses, pianos, villages by the river, traditional Bengali wedding, all have a certain charm about them. Make for excellent visuals too.
The director has ensured details – the old style fans and regulators, the short and puffed sleeved blouses of the women, typewriters, fountain pen written letters that needed to be “air-dried” before folding the paper, etc. Nice touches, all.
It is interesting that the director uses the otherwise more glamorous sister, Riya Sen to portray the illiterate village girl, and the other sister Raima Sen to be the city girl. Not that it would have made much difference. It was not a modern day story, which would have allowed Riya to play a real glam-doll that she does in other modern cinema!
Gulzar’s lyrics have his magical touch, and the end, is surprising but interesting.
I can only say that I am even more of an admirer of Bengali culture, art, writing, cinema etc. now, than I was before! If you like that kind of stuff, you may enjoy this film..
Random Musings 