Alternative Entertainment

ALTERNATIVE ENTERTAINMENT: EI RAAT TOMAR AMAR

by Monojit Lahiri February 25 2025, 12:00 am Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins, 38 secs

What happens when two powerhouse veteran actors showcase a cathartic storyline, directed by a courageous and sensitive actor-director with the backing of SVF—a progressive and enlightened production house? Magic, says Monojit Lahiri. In today's world, personal, art-house cinema faces a tough battle, often overshadowed by populist trends. The decline of serious cinema: Mass audience appeal usually leads to the abandonment of subtitled or thought-provoking films. Changing audience preferences: Films that challenge audience expectations or explore human relationships are quickly dismissed. Yet, a discerning minority, slowly swelling in size, seeks meaningful cinema, finding gems like Ei Raat. Cinematic innovation perseveres: For these viewers, truly original art remains a treasured escape.

In today’s day and age, personal, serious cinema is under siege. Any film minus conventional populist, masala triggers mostly inspires blank looks from audiences. Subtitled films are out. Art-house films are out. Films that test the edge of cinema and focus on the human viscera, probing the dynamics of relationships, resisting firmly to surrender to clichés, are out. It’s totally about seducing mass audiences through clever manipulation, gimmicks, and catering, in hysterical fashion, to the lowest common denominator… and praying like hell it works! Mercifully, there is a fast evolving minority audience who stay away from the howling mobs and go prying…for them, Ei Raat is their reward. Reflective, thought-provoking, deep, dense, exploring the linear truth, fearlessly engaged in soul strip, Ei Raat…stays with you long after the lights come on and you’ve left the theatre. It’s way beyond chewing gum for the eyes; it’s true-blue fine dining for the soul. One visits this space in the same way as one visits the bank—to refill the pocket of the psyche…!!

Innovative Direction and Vision

Interestingly, Ei Raat Tomar Amar is directed by actor-director Parambrata Chattopadhyay, a popular actor-star in both mainstream and experimental Bengali cinema. Well-read, well-spoken, well-informed about both local and global cinema, Param is also a well-respected player in many popular Hindi OTT web shows. However, this film is beyond anything he’s ever done before. Echoing the Kazan-Brando magical strategy, Param frequently demonstrates how realism demands a certain level of inarticulation because, for some moments, body language—not words—is the key. Hands, eyes and body communicate. Of course, it is not easy, but he is fortunate to have two actors who unleash a masterclass in what screen acting is all about. Aparna Sen and Anjan Dutt play a married couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Set in a tea garden, the lady—terminally ill—fights her age and health issues with rare charm, mischievousness, and enthusiasm, now flirting, now teasing, now questioning. Her husband, her caregiver, dedicated and devoted, indulges her, careful with his responses.

In this long day’s journey into night, conversation organically leads to flashbacks and a rewind of a life lived with locked-up truths, suppressed emotions, hidden feelings, and closely guarded secrets suddenly coming out in the open. While it’s not as volatile as Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, the interaction suddenly takes a dangerous turn with searing issues like love, commitment, honesty, regret, acceptance, and forgiveness coming into play and lending an eerie dimension to the storm raging outside. Clearly, there are no easy answers, and the audience is invited to reflect, contemplate, and introspect while participating in this drama with their very own version of imaginative sympathy.

Unforgettable Performances and Emotional Impact

Aparna Sen’s portrayal of vulnerability, resilience and charm, and Anjan Dutt’s depiction of a dedicated caregiver struggling to cope with his physical, psychological, and emotional frailties is truly moving. To keep an audience spellbound with just two characters in one room is no easy task. Sometimes it feels that the director has found a way to take the lens off his camera and allow life itself to touch the raw film. Full marks to Team Ei Raat for pulling off a remarkable visual treat. A must-watch for any genuine movie lover who cares for material that goes beyond dazzling the eyes or seducing the ears to…caress the soul. Here’s hoping that after watching this film, the new tagline is…Ei Film Tomar Amar!