| Babul and Sreelekha in Ogo Bodhu Sundori  | Critic's Rating: **1/2 Cast: Babul Supriyo, Sreelekha Mitra, Monami Ghosh, Kharaj Mukherjee, Sabitri Chatterjee, Haradhan Bandopadhyay, Arnab and others Direction: Sunanda Mitra Readers Rating: ***  |
Movie Review: Enough has been debated over the copyright issues related to Sunanda Mitra's "Ogo Bodhu Sundori" that gives a spin to Salil Dutta's film starring Uttam Kumar, Sumitra Mukherjee, Moushumi Chatterjee, Ranjit Mallick and Santosh Datta. While the court is yet to give the verdict on the copyright issues regarding Bappi Lahiri's songs, the film has already been released after an out-of-court settlement. For most Bengalis who have seen the Uttam Kumar movie, there are some things that's going to strike the eye once the credits start rolling.
Firstly, the production quality of Sunanda's film is at par with that of the Uttam Kumar movie. The film has the same old-world look and has nothing in terms of the gloss that contemporary Bengali movies boast of. Secondly, the twist in the tale at the fad end of the film, which, in some ways, also acts as a disclaimer should anyone have any comment on Sunanda making an unauthorised copy of the Uttam Kumar film. Thirdly, the curious introduction of a lesbian wedding scene that is supposedly meant to add 'comic relief' to the film! As far as the storyline goes, the narrative is pretty straight, what with Babul Supriyo playing professor Uttam Kumar and Sreelekha Mitra his aggrieved wife.
The romantic comedy begins when Monami Ghosh (Phulmoni Murmu) enters Uttam's life and is adequately tutored to learn etiquette and the ways of genteel society. As Sreelekha goes green with envy mistaking that her husband is in love with the tribal girl and the subplot builds up the tension between Sreelekha's grandmother, Sabitri Chatterjee (Nityakali), and Babul's grandfather, Haradhan Bandopadhyay (Provonjon), Mitra adds a new twist to the tale that comes as a pleasant surprise.
As far as acting goes, Monami bravely takes up the challenge of portraying a role that has been perfected on-screen by none other than Moushumi Chatterjee. Sreelekha too tries hard to match up to the performance of Sumitra Mukherjee. The toughest role, however, has been given to Babul Supriyo. By singing the songs immortalized by Kishore Kumar, comparisons are bound to happen. Babul does a fairly good job here. Besides the hard work, Babul needs to be more experienced as an actor to pull of a role which is bound to be compared with the Mahanayak's performance. While Haradhan Bandopadhyay does a swell job, Sabitri Chatterjee could have looked more the part had she not been given to sport a weird wig. Kharaj Mukherjee sure has enough talent in him to play a role that's not as engaging as the ones he usually portrays in other Bengali movies. Music for the film is a high point. Sanjay Basu's title track, which has been penned by the director himself, is pleasing to the ears. Apart from Babul's rendition of "Nari choritro" and "Ei toh jibon", Alka Yagnik and Aneshwa Dutta Gupta do a neat job when they sing "Tui joto phul" and "Akashbhora surjotara" respectively.
Check out
Alka Yagnik's rendition of Asha Bhosle's 'Tui jato phul dis ne kene'
Director Sunanda Mitra has penned the lyrics for the title track
India's first on-screen lesbian marriage scene.
Firstly, the production quality of Sunanda's film is at par with that of the Uttam Kumar movie. The film has the same old-world look and has nothing in terms of the gloss that contemporary Bengali movies boast of. Secondly, the twist in the tale at the fad end of the film, which, in some ways, also acts as a disclaimer should anyone have any comment on Sunanda making an unauthorised copy of the Uttam Kumar film. Thirdly, the curious introduction of a lesbian wedding scene that is supposedly meant to add 'comic relief' to the film! As far as the storyline goes, the narrative is pretty straight, what with Babul Supriyo playing professor Uttam Kumar and Sreelekha Mitra his aggrieved wife.
The romantic comedy begins when Monami Ghosh (Phulmoni Murmu) enters Uttam's life and is adequately tutored to learn etiquette and the ways of genteel society. As Sreelekha goes green with envy mistaking that her husband is in love with the tribal girl and the subplot builds up the tension between Sreelekha's grandmother, Sabitri Chatterjee (Nityakali), and Babul's grandfather, Haradhan Bandopadhyay (Provonjon), Mitra adds a new twist to the tale that comes as a pleasant surprise.
As far as acting goes, Monami bravely takes up the challenge of portraying a role that has been perfected on-screen by none other than Moushumi Chatterjee. Sreelekha too tries hard to match up to the performance of Sumitra Mukherjee. The toughest role, however, has been given to Babul Supriyo. By singing the songs immortalized by Kishore Kumar, comparisons are bound to happen. Babul does a fairly good job here. Besides the hard work, Babul needs to be more experienced as an actor to pull of a role which is bound to be compared with the Mahanayak's performance. While Haradhan Bandopadhyay does a swell job, Sabitri Chatterjee could have looked more the part had she not been given to sport a weird wig. Kharaj Mukherjee sure has enough talent in him to play a role that's not as engaging as the ones he usually portrays in other Bengali movies. Music for the film is a high point. Sanjay Basu's title track, which has been penned by the director himself, is pleasing to the ears. Apart from Babul's rendition of "Nari choritro" and "Ei toh jibon", Alka Yagnik and Aneshwa Dutta Gupta do a neat job when they sing "Tui joto phul" and "Akashbhora surjotara" respectively.
Check out
Alka Yagnik's rendition of Asha Bhosle's 'Tui jato phul dis ne kene'
Director Sunanda Mitra has penned the lyrics for the title track
India's first on-screen lesbian marriage scene.
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