Choker Bali: A Passion Play

My first encounter with Bengali cinema was not an easy one. No thanks for "Bollywood blockbusters," and I mean it. However, after digesting some basic facts, I am slowly sorting out all my new experiences and impressions... After all, a story set during the anti-British revolutions of the early 20th century simply cannot work without one having at least some knowledge of history. Further "complications" include the awareness of the interpretation of Rabindranath Thakur’s 1903 novel "Chokher Bali," and last but not least, the fact that there are several versions of the film with different dubbing and runtimes. The lead role was played by Aishwarya Rai, who is an icon of Hindi masala films for many. So how did it turn out? It’s a captivating film with a reasonably paced narrative and there’s an amazing depth to the main plot themes. It’s a somewhat challenging start for beginners, but one that can become rewarding over time. Aishwarya and Rituparno Ghosh's happy reunion was also confirmed in Raincoat, which was released the very next year. (08/09/2009)