SYNOPSICS
Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012) is a Bengali movie. Anik Datta has directed this movie. Swastika Mukherjee,Parambrata Chattopadhyay,Sabyasachi Chakrabarty,Samadarshi Dutta are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2012. Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012) is considered one of the best Comedy,Fantasy,Horror movie in India and around the world.
The grand old mansions of Kolkata are being razed to the ground to make way for swanky condominiums, malls and multiplexes. Some of these dilapidated 'disputed' buildings were haunted by ghosts who had taken shelter there over centuries. They were evicted and are homeless today. There is no 'rehabilitation package' on offer. Politicians, media, intellectuals, civic society - no one gives a damn. After all , ghosts can't vote. Chowdhuribari is one such heritage property which is rented out for film shoots to facilitate its maintenance. A heroine faints during a shooting, allegedly sighting a ghost in a mirror. A filmmaker on a reconnaissance trip to the building gets to hear of a spooky story revolving around the house. But is it just a tall tale or is there a twist in the 'tail'? Song & dance, drama, romance, action and even an item number, BHOOTER BHOBISHYOT has all the Filmi Masala as well as some food for thought.
Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012) Reviews
A unique achievement in filmmaking
In recent times, Indian and in particular Bengali media (in the state of West Bengal, India) are unjustifiably generous when it comes to heaving accolades on the current generation of Bengali filmmakers. This surplus of praise is mostly indefensible as recent Bengali films are still imprisoned by their strange obsession with relationship centric dramas. Exploring relation-based dramas, however, is not the main problem. The problem lies in elsewhere. Most of these cinematic efforts can mostly be characterized by the following undesirable elements: characters that are outside the bounds of possibility, only scratching the surface of emotional layers without much regard for deep character analysis (a lesson in this regard would be to watch, for example, the highly acclaimed Iranian film A Separation by Asghar Farhadi), lack of sensible dialogs, strong desire to pose as an "intelligent" filmmaker who is up-to-date with the world cinema (read literally stealing from these films; an example would be the much-hyped Bengali film Autograph), choosing style over substance, under-appreciation for aural instruments of a film (Ritwik Ghatak was a pioneer for using sound brilliantly), sometimes unconvincing and archaic plots (when plots are convincing they are marred by some of the other factors mentioned here), and sheer inability to build up narratives that do not satisfy two important criteria of narrative cinema: credibility and coherence. Although, these films are technically much superior than their 1990s and last decade counterparts. Bhooter Bhabishyat avoids just about all of the above pitfalls. The story is exceptionally imaginative and yet simple. A gang of eclectic ghosts (a cook, a Bengali music band member, a Zamindar aka landlord, a representative of the East India Company, a refugee from Bangladesh, a Bengali theater actress, a revolutionary from 70s' Calcutta, a Rickshaw puller, and a few others) need help as they are about to be evicted from their current home as a businessman is all geared up to make way for malls and multiplexes.In the backdrop of this, an aspiring director steps in the same old mansion (where these ghosts are housed) for checking the site of an about-to-be-made film. What follows is a burst of activities replete with spoofs, puns, songs, and dance. Although, beneath all these lies a satirical message about the greed of the modern society that spreads its gluttonous wings at the expense of rich sculptural heritage of cities. The first time director Dutta is a master storyteller. Humorous and sharp dialogs (although being an ad filmmaker himself, Dutta couldn't escape the usual knack of an ad-maker for inserting punchlines after every two lines of dialog), first-class camera-work, unforgiving editing, clever montage of sound pieces, keen eye for details, credible reproductions of a bygone age and society, idiosyncrasies of ghostly creatures - everything seem to jell for the film. Dutta heavily borrows from the master director Satyajit Ray's works and he is not at all reticent about this. In fact, when the aspiring filmmaker and the narrator of the ghosts' lives converse to build up the suspense, their performances strongly remind us of the interactions between the famous Bengali detective Feluda and his assistant Topshe. Delivery of some of the dialogs in the film that rhyme with each other is reminiscent of the lyrical exchanges from Heerak Rajar Deshe ( The Kingdom of Diamonds). In many other aspects, the film is replete with references from Ray's films. In fact, Dutta pays a grand tribute to Ray in this film. Overall, Bhooter Bhabishyat is a rare combination of ingenious plot idea, almost flawless execution, skillful exploitation of the medium as an art form, and an eye for commercial success - a combination that is visibly absent in most of the recent Bengali films.
Outstanding would be the least to say...its that good !!
One of the best things to happen to Bengali cinema post Satyajit Ray is this particular movie,which builds up carefully with every attention to the minutest detail and continues that,till its end. The basic storyline is simple and revolves around a known haunted mansion in Kolkata.The choice of characters by the director,and their portrayal by very capable actors along with mind blowing one liners are the very essence of this movie.The music throughout the movie,the cinematography,editing,use of lights in few particular settings,and over all its simplicity in presentation are all its plus points. It is one of the very few current movies in any language whatsoever,that one can see again and again and again,and still find its superb flair and charm as the very first time.
Excellent Movie
Excellent movie,really appreciable,The topic which the director / writer has chosen is very real and very much substantial in the current scenario of kolkata. But the story line / scrip, which have been chosen to express the same in front of audience is truly remarkable. Anything related to ghost brings a certain kind of chilling effect / horror within us. But may be this is the first time I am watching a movie where Ghost have been used as a element of comedy. Best of luck to the whole cast and crew and expecting more and more this kind of movies from the director. It reminds us the famous movie "Hirak Rajar Deshe" by Late Satyajit Roy. Again congrats and best of luck.
An incredible Bengali Art Film - a Masterpiece
I recently watched this movie in a cinema hall and i felt it could be a spooky horror film but it was different and outstanding. This movie has all the elements that makes this two hour journey an absolute treat to watch. The plot is quite simple and it reaches to all section of masses. The atmosphere,cinematography,lighting,acting,costumes,music are just brilliant but the most important aspect i feel are the dialogues that are quite intriguing and showcases the 'intelligent wit' of the film!!! Nevertheless to say, the dialogues actually bring the flavor of comedy and you are bound to laugh at your seat. Good luck to Bengali Art films and kudos to the director Anik Dutta for presenting us such a film in his debut.
An amazingly well made movie!
This movie came out as a total surprise to me..Very seldom will you see me give 9 stars to a movie..but this movie deserves it thoroughly. What strikes me most is the plot..and is closely followed by the direction and screenplay. The director has done a fantastic job in trending the story with different angles and does an amazing job in weaving all the characters together. Also the way the story is narrated through the ages flawlessly leaves me amazed. Well Done Anik Dutta...what you have created here, brings Bengali cinema to a different stage! I do hope that in future we continue to see such originality and wonderful direction from Anik Dutta.