Shohorer Ushnotomo Din E, directed by Aritra Sen, is a thought-provoking film that juxtaposes the essence of city life with the complexities of adulting and millennial relationships.
The story is set in Kolkata and follows college flames Ritoban (Vikram Chatterjee) and Anindita (Solanki Roy), along with their college group — played by Rahul Dev Bose, Anamika Chakraborty and Debopriyo Mukherjee.
Ritoban, who is a passionate photographer, is forced to go abroad for a PhD, while Anindita deals with the pangs of their breakup. The narrative switches between their college days and the present, where Ritoban returns disillusioned after five years. Anindita has become a successful radio jockey and moved on.
Despite attempts at reconciliation, Ritoban and Anindita’s relationship remains strained. The film explores their journey of reshaping their aspirations and dreams amid the changing circumstances, showcasing the challenges of love and life in a bustling metropolis like Kolkata.
Aritra Sen, known for his directorial work in films like Boudi Canteen and Ghore Pherar Gaan, makes a very relatable subject the heart of the film — youngsters leaving home and migrating to other countries in search of a better life. This brings with it related issues of the toll such a move takes on others in the relational spheres and one’s longing for what one has left behind. Shohorer Ushnotomo Din E explores themes of loneliness, societal pressures and the quest for a personal identity in a fast-paced, ever-changing city.
Sen is able to harp on the perennial nostalgia about all things past in the probashi Bengali without cliches and overly sentimental moments. The familiar tropes — trams, north vs south Kolkata, mishti and bhanrer cha — do feature in the film but get a fresh treatment.
The film’s non-linear journey — Anupriya Dutta and Soumyasree Ghosh have written the screenplay — is enjoyable. The past and present are intricately intertwined, with each complementing the other.
Aided by their well-crafted characters, lead actors Solanki and Vikram, who have previously been a hit pair in the TV serial Ichche Nodee, show a pleasant chemistry that anchors the film. And the moving climax is the icing on the cake with both their characters coming full circle.
Among the rest of the cast, Debopriyo shines as Sayak, a struggling singer who ghosted his friends after college when his career didn’t take off. Anamika as Christine and Rahul as Rehaan win hearts. Anindya Chatterjee fits the bill as Anindita’s elite, possessive boyfriend.
Sudipa Basu and Debesh Roychowdhury play Anindita’s parents to near perfection, although the father’s transformation from a disillusioned idealist to a caring parent is not well established.
The music composed by Akash Chakrabarty and Nabarun Bose lifts the story to a considerable extent. The melodies and evocative lyrics — specially the song Time Machine sung by Lagnajita Chakraborty — underscore the characters’ feelings and dilemmas.
Basudeb Chakraborty’s cinematography captures Kolkata in its many shades, from the bustling streets to the serene riverbank. The use of natural light enhances the visual appeal and adds a rawness that is captivating.
