As a long-time admirer of Indian cinema, I can confidently say that Sharmila Tagore‘s return to Bengali cinema after such a considerable hiatus is nothing short of a delightful surprise. Her portrayal of a woman grappling with memory loss in “The Ancient” is a testament to her versatility and depth as an actor.
Legendary Indian actress Sharmila Tagore takes on a demanding part in the film “The Ancient” (Puratawn), directed by Suman Ghosh, which makes its debut at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. In this role, she plays a character struggling with memory loss in Suman Ghosh’s Bengali-language drama production.
In the story titled “The Ancient”, Rituparna Sengupta’s character, Ritika, and her husband, Indraneil Sengupta as Rajeev, make their way back to Ritika’s family home in West Bengal for her mother’s 80th birthday celebration. Upon their arrival, Ritika is shocked to find that her mother has begun experiencing cognitive decline. This unsettling truth compels Ritika to face a harsh new reality. As she struggles to accept this revelation, Ritika embarks on a personal journey towards understanding and acceptance of her mother’s incurable condition.
Ghosh is an experienced festival participant, having premiered films such as “Nobel Thief” (2011), “Uncle Shyamal Turns off the Lights” (2012), “Peace Haven” (2015), “Mi Amor” (2016), “Aadhaar” (2019), and most recently, “Scavenger of Dreams” (2023) at Busan International Film Festival. Additionally, his documentary titled “Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen” was premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival in 2024. His work achieved significant commercial success with the release of “Kabuliwala” in India during Christmas 2023.
Tagore expressed her enthusiasm for the project, telling EbMaster, “I found both the script and the narration appealing, which is why I decided to join. I’ve previously enjoyed his works like ‘Kadambari’ and ‘Kabuliwala.’ I was impressed by the director’s commitment to the genre of films he creates, as well as the script. I felt a connection with my role, and this opportunity presented a new challenge for me since it’s a type of film I haven’t done before.
The actor appreciated Ghosh’s method as innovative. “He didn’t overwhelm me with instructions,” Tagore stated, discussing his preparation for the role. Although Ghosh offered some reading materials for research, Tagore preferred a more instinctive technique. “I simply visualized the character. I felt that this is how she would move and speak.
In “The Ancient,” Tagore’s character struggles with memory issues, a condition that isn’t explicitly identified within the movie. “I simply immersed myself in each moment,” Tagore said, underscoring her approach to deeply experiencing the script instead of conducting thorough research.
Actress Soumitra Chatterjee, revered as a national gem in Indian cinema, first appeared on screen with Satyajit Ray’s “The World of Apu” (1959), and subsequently starred in “The Goddess” (1960), “The Hero” (1966), “Days and Nights in the Forest” (1970) and “Company Limited” (1971). She also found success in Hindi films, appearing in popular titles like “An Evening in Paris” (1967), “Aradhana” (1969), “Amar Prem” (1972) and “Mausam” (1975). In addition, she was featured in Mira Nair’s “Mississippi Masala” (1991) and served on the 2009 Cannes jury. Her latest film was a Disney+ Hotstar original titled “Gulmohar” (2023). With “The Ancient”, Chatterjee makes her return to Bengali cinema after a significant break.
Tagore found it particularly rewarding to work on a Bengali film after such a long time, as he got to speak his native language and act in it once more.
Tagore carefully chooses her projects, and it was the prospect of collaborating with a fresh crop of actors in the upcoming film “Gulmohar” (2023) that sparked her interest. As she put it, “The allure was working with so many vibrant, contemporary young talents, which ultimately drew me in.
Pondering over the progression of Indian films, Tagore remarked, “Working environments have undergone such a tremendous transformation. Today, filmmakers work in air-conditioned studios and enjoy numerous amenities that were completely unavailable during our era.
Tagore’s offspring, Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan, and their daughter Sara Ali Khan are all actors, with Sara’s brother Ibrahim Ali Khan poised to debut as a leading man soon. When it comes to her family’s cinematic heritage, Tagore adopts a careful strategy. As she shared, “Sara occasionally gets in touch,” she disclosed.
Tagore underscores the significance of firsthand encounters, stating “You can’t truly know unless you’re there, see the scenery, watch the reactions of others.” Regarding his son, Saif Ali Khan, Tagore remarks, “Saif is an exceptional actor, and he doesn’t require my counsel.
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2024-10-21 12:47