After watching the movie, the first thing I realized is how difficult it would be to write the review for this one. First, it would take me at least another viewing to absorb all the subtle nuances, the hidden meanings, the underlying metaphors etc in the movie and secondly I am so overwhelmed by the ending that my head is still reeling in awe of this magnificient piece of work.
I am writing this review in point form.
First and foremost, people who are not aware of Bengali culture or do not speak the language will not enjoy the movie as much as those who do, because the impact of some of the dialogues would surely be lost in translation. (read subtitles)
This movie is a fine example of dark comedy, a genre rarely if ever attempted in India movie. The only other example I can immediately remember is the exquisite and inimitable ’’Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’’
The ending has a magnificient twist and takes the story to an entirely different level opening up at least two to three possible interpretations.
The film is multilayered. There is a strange and very subtle love story in it without it actually being a love story.
Every scene in the movie has some sex element in it. This movie is about sex. So the abundance of sex scenes in the movie should not come as a shock or surprise. Even scenes where there is no explicit sex has some sexual connotation in it.
The lewd dialogues have been put in, not to insult conservative audiences, but to portray the situation in a realistic manner.
Jackie Shroff is simply brilliant. He has been ideally cast, although I am not sure whether the voice is his. Its hard to believe that he spoke such neat Bengali (that too with a dated rural accent) He looks very convincing as the Zamindar though. His expressions are flawless.
Abhishek Bachhan was adequate. He emoted well, but his role was not that challenging in my opinion and thankfully, he spoke in Hindi. Soha Ali Khan looked like Sharmila in a lot of scenes. High nostalgic value :-) Comparisons with ’’Devi’’ a Satyajit Ray classic in which Sharmila acted, are inevitable. Again I am not sure if Soha Ali Khan spoke her dialogues or if they were dubbed by another artist.
Roopa Ganguli has excelled herself. I didnt know she was such a great actress. She is simply superb. Did full justice to her role.
The film is very atmospheric and hypnotic. The atmosphere in the climax scene gave me goosebumps.
The film has been shot on a dark canvas. The cinematography is superb. The mood was established very well.
One of the few flaws in the movie is the absence of outdoor shots. (but then, the name of the movie is AntarMahal) The Zamindar’s haveli has been shown mostly from indoors. Except for that outstanding kaash-phool (a special flower that blooms during October in Bengal - harbinger of Durga Puja) scene when Queen Victoria’s portrait is being brought into the palace.
I agree that the first meeting between Soha Ali Khan and Abhishek has been shown in a cliched manner.
It takes guts to attempt a movie like this. Hats off to Rituparno.
A movie is as good as its ending. On that front AntarMahal scores full marks. The ending is one of the best you will ever see.
I will be glad to dissect and analyse the movie with any fellow enthusiast after he or she has seen it.
lastly, the movie is a must see for cine-lovers. If you are conservative/ prudish(philosophically - I dont mean it in a derogatory sense, a few of my close friends are conservatives although I am a die hard liberal myself) or are a religious fanatic, the movie has enough elements to shock you.
You may want to read the following paragraph after you’ve seen the movie
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(There is a chance that a section of people in West Bengal may protest against the erotic element shown in the making of the Durga idol. I wont agree with them if they do. What the director wants to show is that the idol of Godess Durga is not simply a religious idol but a work of art - a sculpture (although its made of clay and will be immersed in water) and his inspiration may not always be religious devotion)
regards
subhajit