"I don't find any other paper," says Aparna in her last encounter with Asim and hands him over a five rupee note with her number written on it and that was exactly when I had my eureka moment in the film. Aranyer Dinratri, the 1970 masterpiece of Satyajit Ray is replete with many such, only you need to have fervent eyes to find it among the simplicity and the multifarious subtleties. In fact, nuance is what makes this film a film buff's retreat.
The film is undemanding yet a sophisticated narrative about 4 friends hailing their roots in the privileged section of the society,out on a jaunt to Palamau, a beautiful yet untamed getaway by nature. This tribal district of former undivided Bihar had lots in store for these 4 young lads who are naturally oblivious to the problems of the downtrodden and for whom money was the solution to them all. Smug as they were, patriarchal construct and deep-seated male ego bound them all. But the end brings a surprise with the leading women of the film bringing about transformation in their character in some way or the other. The metamorphosis in human characters and the brilliant peek at human psyche and undoubtedly the huge role played by the ultimate leveller between man and man and man and nature - nature itself, is what makes this movie a milestone in the history of cinema.
However, that's not the point. I took a really long time to think about how I could do justice to this cult movie through my commentary and trust me words fall short. But I can definitely tell people why they should take this amusing journey of watching this art piece. Swipe through the snaps to read 5 reasons why you should watch the movie.
1. You know, long before Dil Chahta Hai, The Hangover or Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara could bring us the pleasure of watching 3 bachelors exploring life to the fullest, taking long drives through the enticing country roads or alluring bachelor trips, Satyajit ray brought it to us even before others thought of it. To add to that, who wouldn't want to treat their eyes with the sight of youthful Soumitra Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore. Simmy Garewal, Shubhendu Chattopadhyay, Rabi Ghosh and the entire cast for that matter, acting at their best. (Needless to say, "the Santhal Twist" is a veritable feast to the heart and the eyes.)
2. As I already said, Aranyer Dinratri is a film buff's favourite. With its perfect cinematography, sheer technical brilliance and the enigmatic background score (composed by Ray, obviously) renders and invigorating manifestation. Once you see the opening of the film, in which a wild forest rushing by, being captured from inside a moving car, is inlayed into the title of the film, you'll know that the film is going to have a deep-rooted impact on you. Another scene that has been really underrated is the transition scene with the miniature - giant wheel at the village fair. The way Ray uses his skills to create an illusionary effect with the transition from one wheel capsule to another. And with that the immediate transition of emotions on every actor's face makes this scene worth remembering.
3. You can find humour, romance that is sophisticated, elitism, intellectualism and the despondence of the life of the exploited class at the same time in the movie. It is a blend of the truest of emotions and the end result is what attracts us to it.
4. It is a critic's choice in a true sense. The movie promises so much that not for a moment will it let your mindfulness be disrupted. Moreover, it is after all one of the most talked about movies of all time, all over the world. It has attracted western and eastern audiences all alike. Some even say that it is Ray's best since the Apu trilogy.
5. The film is filled to the brim with what we call "Bangaliyana". It isn't about the everyday Middle class Bengali women/men bound by the chores of the Bengali lifestyle, but a celebration of sophistication, elitism and female dominance (just as we like it). It is a satire and at some point of the film you might even find uncanny resemblance of these young men with Bidye Bojhai Babumoshai. From Gold Flake to Dim Siddho (ডিম সিদ্ধ), from Telebhaja (তেলেভাজা) at a village fair to intoxicated bengalis dancing on the middle of the road, calling it a "Santhal twist". The famous scene where Asim (Soumitra Chatterjee), Sekhar (Rabi Ghosh) and Sanjoy (Shubhendu Chattopadhyay) are taking a bath with the heavenly cool well water, being caught embarrassed by the women they try to woo, not being able to give up their typical Bengali habits or the immense urge to break the rules, all of it will make you give up on ZNMD, Dil Chahta Hai or The Hangover and watch Aranyer Dinratri over and over again.
If you are already intrigued enough by these reasons, then I am sure that the next thing you'd be up to is watching this movie and telling us about your favourite scene: and if you are still not convinced enough by my words then the charm of the legends and the creator himself should be enough to allure you and to make you binge on this for the next few days.
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