GENERATION AAMI: Trust Mainak Bhaumik to come up with a novel script, a stellar ensemble cast, put a new spin to the classic Apu-Dugga story of Pather Panchali and essay the trial and tribulations of the new-age youths in this smartly connected world. Apu is a lost teenager cowering under the domination of his parents. He is an average Joe in constant fear of failure and rejection, chemistry is his bete-noire, music is his passion but he plays it safe until along comes Dugga, a firebrand but misunderstood and neglected young woman who helps him find his true calling and rebel with glory. I could not find the reason for Dugga’s death when she had all the help in the world. The jumping off a terrace scene is shown in great detail but kids please do not try this at home. The escapist act of suicide is glorified unnecessarily. Apu’s emergence as Aparajito tells in his change of gait and confidence and the way he defends himself against the towering and overpowering control of his parents in the guise of affection and guidance. Poor guy gets slapped a lot in the movie but I could not help but marvel the way he holds his own against powerful actors like Aparajita Addhya and Santilal Mukherjee. Santilal’s voice is very strong and impactful but he artfully modulates his tone as he quivers his voice in shame while speaking of his demotion at work. It is indeed a delight to watch Aparajita Addhya as the possessive mother who throws a feat when Apu pierces his left earlobe. Dugga’s Delhite parents and their quest for status and prestige and their professional treatment towards their only daughter are realistic to the core. There is a funny man at the other end of the phone whose number Dugga keeps dialling to no avail and there is witty reference of a “Chotomashi” who never shows up in person or as a voice on the phone but is a integral part of the script. Lily Chakraborty plays the accepting grandmother who is content with holding a calling bell in her bedroom to seek the attention of her son who lives in the same house. It is not understood why Apu does not accompany Dugga to her medical appointments who continues to keep it silly with her incessant calls to her crush who is a “married but single” man. Mainak Bhaumik keeps it simple and sweet and the exchanges between the cousins are kept real and sans of preaching and family politics and it’s a clean movie to watch and is devoid of grey areas like incest, sibling rivalry and competition. I would have loved it if Apu caught Dugga by her hand while she jumped off the terrace and he wheelied her to the “Gaanwala” gig but alas!
AninditaRoyMusings 