Priyo Malati: A film worth watching!

Today, I watched Priyo Malati, directed by the young filmmaker Shankha Dasgupta, at Basundhara Cineplex. After a long time, and more specifically after watching Pantha Prasad's Sabitri, I watched another excellent Bengali film today. After watching this film, I have truly fallen in love with Mehazabien! Such beautiful and natural acting!

The way Shankha has woven the story is simply outstanding. He has brilliantly portrayed the issues of contemporary urban life in the film. The story is beautiful, with great experiments in direction and wonderful dialogue. I really liked the blending of the story. I would love to have a great chat with Shankha about all these aspects.

The camera work is excellent. The actors’ ability to adapt their characters to the story is impressive. Shankha has skillfully depicted the complications faced by a lower-middle-class woman due to issues with civic services in an urban setting. I really liked the sharp camera work by Barkat Hussain Palash as well as the story, screenplay and dialogue by Shankh Dasgupta. The co-writer of the film is Abu Saeed.

In the film, Azad Abul Kalam has excellently portrayed the character of Palash's father, speaking in the regional dialect of Barisal with great skill. To put it simply, after Mehazabien Chowdhury's role as Malati, I would give the next highest marks to Azad Abul Kalam. Shahjahan Samrat, who plays Palash's friend in the role of Razzak, also deserves special mention. Although Samrat appeared a bit rigid at the beginning, by the end, he delivered a thoroughly competent performance. Mehazabien Chowdhury’s acting is nearly perfect, with the exception of one running scene, everything else aligns perfectly with her character. She gave an outstanding performance as Malati.

Additionally, Nader Chowdhury, Shahidul Alam Sachchu, Anisul Haq Barun, Rizvi Rizu, and Momena Chowdhury were all very natural in their roles. Their performances left a deep impression on me. Ruslan Rehman’s music is quite captivating. The cinematography, storyline, and the performances of the cast truly impressed me. While watching the film, I was frequently reminded of the devastating fire in Old Dhaka’s Nimtali, a haunting memory.

The sequence of events in Palash and Malati's lives in the film repeatedly pierced my heart with that unbearable pain! It's not right to write something about an ordinary movie after watching it just once. After watching Priyo Malati, this is my immediate reaction. I would like to watch this film several more times, and I long to have an in-depth conversation with the director Shankha Dasgupta about this film.

I extend my heartfelt warm embrace and sincere best wishes to the promising young filmmaker Shankha Dasgupta for his debut film. Best wishes to the entire Priyo Malati team. Long live Bengali cinema. Long live Priyo Malati.

Reza Ghatak: Litterateur and Filmmaker