Starring: Rituparna Sengupta, Indraneil Sengupta, Saheb Bhattacharya
Dir by Saikat Bhakat
Rating: **
Rituparna Sengupta’s powerful performance is debutant director Saikat Bhakat’s biggest strength, as he retells an all-too-familiar tale—the conflict between image and reality raging in the head and heart of larger-than-life superstars. Based on the life of Bengali cinema’s most enigmatic actress, the legendary Suchitra Sen, the film undertakes the difficult task of chronicling this inner turmoil through the external—evolving idiosyncrasies and destruction of relationships. While for the most part the director is able to do this convincingly enough, the cliches get a little predictable. There are several deja vu moments. Still, such scenes as the mini-skirted actress stretching out on the couch and insulting a hapless producer or director (turning tables?) as she blows out a cloud of cigarette smoke are thoroughly enjoyable (Rituparna clearly enjoying herself). Indraneil as a detective is convincing and Shaheb as the childhood friend is endearing, as he comes to grips with life’s losses.
