Mahapurush O Kapurush Bengali Movie
2013 marks the 100 years of cinema, this is perhaps the perfect time to pay tribute to the stalwarts of cinema. The Bengali film industry yet again brings to life a tribute to one of the most remarkable films of Satyajit Ray an all time favorite, Kapurush o Mahapurush.
Director Aniket Chattopadhyay's film Mahapurush O Kapurush explores the similar realms as that of Ray and is genuinely a tribute to the 'master', yet he works with a different storyline and tries to adopt the concept of Mahapurush (super-human) and Kapurush (coward) with a more modern twist.
Thugs on the disguise of God-men have always lived on the earth and have fooled innocent people by feeding on their weaknesses. One such story of the 'Birinchibaba' by Parashuram was adapted by Satyajit Ray for his Kapurush o Mahapurush. Aniket Chattopadhyay walks the same path and brings to life the story of Swami Swadgajananda (Bratya Basu). Bireswar Chatterjee (Dipankar De) during a trip to Panchchuli comes across this con-god man Swami Swadgajananda. The holy man impresses him by his fake skills and makes him believe that he has a way into the past and can speak to who's who of the past. From Raja Rammohan Roy to Chiatnya all have a connection with him. The simple Bireswar Chatterjee falls prey to his words and finally declares himself to be the disciple of Swami Swadgajananda. He welcomes this man into his house with a grand celebration. Swami Swadgajananda along with his assistant Lama Halder impresses everyone present at the do, it is his psychic abilities that he claims he has in abundance surprises everyone and keeps all wondering.
When on the one hand the swami duo with their tactical abilities and sharp wit grips the weak and the innocent and transforms them into their disciples. On the other hand Pada (Bratya Basu), a thief sneaks into the house of a young couple at night, but however gets caught. This parallel side of the story at times is bound to remind you of many stories, like the more recent Necklace. The two stories from here get gripping and begin to run parallel until they lead to one another. Comic timings and effortless acting by almost every actor makes Mahapurush O Kapurush a sure win for Director Aniket Chattopadhyay. Minister Bratya Basu in his contrasting double roles brings out the brilliant actor in him. Other actors Rimjhim Mitra and Ritwick Chakraborty gels well on screen and compliment the others brilliantly.
Mahapurush O Kapurush is definitely once a watch and will certainly make you go back and revisit Ray. But the film definitely fails to etch that mark as a tribute because of its lack of newness and predictable approach.
