''Avijatrik'' is a 2021 Bengali-language
drama film
In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...
, written and directed by
Subhrajit Mitra and produced by Gaurang Jalan, co-produced by
Madhur Bhandarkar
Madhur Bhandarkar (born 26 August 1968) is an Indian film director, script writer, and producer. In 2016,Bhandarkar was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour, by the Government of India.
The drama film '' Chandni B ...
. The screenplay is based on the novel ''Aparajito'' by
Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay
Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay () (12 September 1894 – 1 November 1950) was an Indian writer in the Bengali language. His best known works are the autobiographical novel, ''Pather Panchali'' (''Song of the Little Road''), ''Aparajito (Undefeate ...
. The film released under the banner of Gaurang Films and Bhandarkar Entertainment. This is a sequel and concluding part of the
Satyajit Ray's
Apu Trilogy
''The Apu Trilogy'' comprises three Indian Bengali-language drama films directed by Satyajit Ray: '' Pather Panchali'' (1955), ''Aparajito'' (1956) and ''The World of Apu'' (1959). The original music for the films was composed by Ravi Shankar ...
.
The film premiered at the
Kolkata International Film Festival
The Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) is an annual film festival held in Kolkata, India. Founded in 1995, it is the third oldest international film festival in India. The festival is organized by the West Bengal Film Centre under the W ...
in January 2021.
It has released theatrically on 3 December 2021.
Plot
Synopsis
Avijatrik is essentially the story of a journey depicting Apu's ardor to be a globetrotter, to experience outside world and immerse himself in myriad layers of life. The story revolves around a sublime bond between a father (Apu) and his 6-year-old son (Kajol) – wherein both are dependent on each other – heaping lavish affection and love for each other. The film has explored beautiful tapestry of pure interpersonal relationships to recreate magic of Apu– sharing adventures with his beloved son, Kajol.
Apu is a warm & affectionate father to Kajol who lost his dear mother to an unpropitious fate during his birth. Aparna, Apu's late wife still exists in his surreal space—a space where he involves himself in eternal philosophical discourses with his beloved.
Apu and Kajol now start a journey to the northern part of India from Kolkata since Apu has taken up a job of a resident teacher in an opulent estate. This journey creates an unfading and everlasting mark in Apu's heart as he chances upon his childhood sweetheart Leela, an astounding beauty whom he accidentally meets after ages. Leela, with her declining health is going to visit her daughter who stays with her grandmother in Benaras. Her marriage proved to be painful. Apu comes across a deserted and forlorn Leela; but loses her forever in few hours' times. Confessing her love for Apu, Leela succumbs to her illness and breathes her last in his arms. Apu is compelled to get down from the train to keep his promise of visiting Leela's mother and daughter in Benaras. As always, train (metaphor of a journey of life from one destination to another) and death once again play a pivotal catalyst in Apu's life.
As destiny desired, he meets Shankar in Benaras. Shankar is a middle-aged globetrotter who is an illustrious character immortalized by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay in another epic novel. Shankar is visiting some old Indian cities to explore the collective consciousness of this ancient civilization. Apu and Kajol are enthralled by his buoyant spirit of adventure and his ebullient soul-searching quest. Shankar triggers the passion of wanderlust in them and invites Apu to join him for his excavation tour to Borobodur, next month. Apu politely asks for some time to consider such a marvelous offer. He is worried about the safety and future of Kajol, in an unknown land though he harbors the vivacious spirit to see the world. The excitement is surging and pulsating in his veins, and he longs to set out on a timeless and adventurous journey.
This bohemian nature of Apu nudges him to forsake his job in North India. He soon returns to Calcutta for some time but suddenly falls ill. Young Kajol nurses his ailing father with utmost love and care. On the other hand, the ramifications of World War II and the armed freedom movements in India have also created havoc and precariousness in the streets of Calcutta. Apu's disquiet and fearful apprehensions about the well-being of Kajol prompts him to join Shankar and take his son away from this mayhem.
Before leaving his motherland Apu takes Kajol to his ancestral home at Nischindipur, for the very last time to revive and relive his childhood memories. There he meets his distant cousin sister Ranu and the rest of his relatives. Apu, for the last time, feels at home, at peace with himself amongst his near and dear ones in Nischindipur. He meets them after decades and showers in immense affection to feel contented, at this juncture of his life. Apu also feels the tender presence of his long-gone sister Durga in Ranu. He is delighted to feel the same fondness for Ranu as he did for his own sister Durga years ago. Kajol is equally loved and adored by everybody and soaks in the lap of their affection. Apu basks in the glory of his childhood sweet memories and the present moments, amidst his very own people.
Life has come to a full circle as he lives his moments through his son Kajol. Yearning for more adventure he finally bids farewell to his village, his city, his motherland and embarks on a spirited journey with Shankar and Kajol on some unknown terrains in search of new beginnings in a faraway land.
Cast
*
Arjun Chakrabarty
Arjun Chakrabarty is an Indian television actor mainly working in the Bengali-language television industry based in Kolkata. He came to prominence playing the male protagonist "Gora" in the television serial '' Gaaner Oparey''. and is now known ...
as Apu
*
Sabyasachi Chakraborty
Sabyasachi Chakrabarty is an Indian actor of theatre, films and television. He is best known for portraying iconic Bengali detective characters, Feluda, and Kakababu.
Personal life
His parents, Jagadish Chandra Chakrabarty and Monica Chakrabart ...
as Shankar
*
Arpita Chatterjee
Arpita Chatterjee ('' née'' Pal) is an Indian actress, who mostly appears in the Odia and Bengali film industry in India. She is married to actor Prosenjit Chatterjee.
She made her film debut in 1999 with the film ''Tumi Ele Tai'', directed ...
as Leela
*
Sreelekha Mitra
Sreelekha Mitra (Bengali: শ্রীলেখা মিত্র) is an Indian actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema. Winner of a BFJA Award and an Anandalok Award, Mitra is best known for her roles in films such as ''Hothat B ...
as Ranudi
*
Ditipriya Roy
Ditipriya Roy is an Indian television and film actress working in Bengali-language films and serials. She is known for portraying the character of Rani Rashmoni in the Bengali television series ''Karunamoyee Rani Rashmoni''. Her movies include '' ...
as Aparna
*
Tanusree Shankar as Bouranima
*
Sohag Sen
Sohag Sen (Bengali: সোহাগ সেন) is a Bengali theater actress, director and casting director.
Career
Sohag Sen is on the visiting faculty of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and Rabindra Bharati University, and is the H ...
as Boro didi
* Ayushman Mukherjee as Kajol
*
Biswanath Basu
Biswanath Basu (or sometimes Biswanath Bose) is an Indian actor who appears in Bengali films.
Filmography
;Key
;Films
Television
Apart from doing films, Basu has also appeared in many television serials.
References
External links
*
...
as Sotu
*
Barun Chanda
Barun Chanda is an Indian Bengali advertising professional, actor and author based in the city of Kolkata. He is mostly remembered for his role in Satyajit Ray's '' Seemabaddha''.
Biography
Chanda was born in Dhaka in present day Bangladesh, ...
as Publisher
* Irina Malysheva as Anastasia
* Juergen Thomas Schrod as Herr Mueller
Release
The film premiered at the 2021
Kolkata International Film Festival
The Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) is an annual film festival held in Kolkata, India. Founded in 1995, it is the third oldest international film festival in India. The festival is organized by the West Bengal Film Centre under the W ...
held from 7 to 14 January 2021.
The film was screened at
London Indian Film Festival
London Indian Film Festival is a film festival established in 2010 to showcase Indian independent film.[68th National Film Awards
The 68th National Film Awards ceremony was an event during which the Directorate of Film Festivals presented its annual National Film Awards to honour the best films of 2020 in Indian cinema. The awards ceremony was originally slated to be held ...]
*
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali
The National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. It is one of severa ...
- ''
Subhrajit Mitra''
*
National Film Award for Best Cinematography
The National Film Award for Best Cinematography is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. It is one of several awards p ...
- ''
Supratim Bhol
Supratim Bhol (born 10 December 1979) is an Indian cinematographer known for his works in Hindi cinema and Bengali cinema. He has also worked in other regional language projects in Haryanvi, Odia and Chhattisgarhi. Supratim graduated from the ...
''
References
External links
*
Bengali-language Indian films
Indian drama films
2020s Bengali-language films
2021 films
Films scored by Bickram Ghosh
Films scored by Anoushka Shankar
2021 drama films
Films based on works by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay
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