The Expedition

I saw this movie a long time ago but it still sticks with me. It is one of those movies you don't forget once you have seen it, and also don't think too much about. Its a simple pastoral romance written by one of the greatest Bengali writers, Tarashankar. Ray always knew the importance of the story, and he chose wisely from writers like Bibhutibhushan, Tagore and others. In this movie, made in a retro sepia tone which promotes a feeling of otherworldliness and decrepitude at the same time, Ray sticks to the storyline and elicits some great performances from Soumitra, Waheeda Rahman, Robi Ghosh and the magnificent Charuprakash Ghosh, a Ray favorite, who nails the difficult role of the seedy bania as counterpoint to Soumitra's ramrod Punjabi taxi driver. The strange admixture of the arid rural landscapes, ramshackle Chevrolet cabs, drunken depot operators, nepotist petty officials, prostitutes, smugglers and Christians comes together in a sweeping narrative that never rests for a moment in its grand mission - to tell a story to a spellbound audience.

Satyajit Ray's 'Abhijaan' tells the story of taxi-driver Singhji (Soumitra Chatterjee) who travels in his Chrysler with companion Rama. A misogynist (due to his wife's abandonment) and an alcoholic, it doesn't take long for Singhji to have his license revoked because of his unproffesionalism. Thereafter, he soon arrives at a small town while giving a paying lift to a sleazy businessman. The passenger offers him a proposition due to which he decides to temporarily stay at this town. During his stay, he unexpectedly reunites with an old friend Joseph, and his sister Mary. Unexpectedly he receives visits from the enigmatic mistress of the shady businessman, Gulabi (Waheeda Rehman), who falls in love with him.

'Abhijaan' is another proof of why Ray is one of the best filmmakers in history. It is just as much character-driven as story driven. Ray effectively tackles different themes such as betrayal, alcoholism, corruption, sex, discrimination, prejudice and unrequited love. For example, in one dialogue he brilliantly tackled the theme of attempted suicide. The scene takes place during a conversation between Singhji and Gulabi where she describes her temptations to commit suicide and why she eventually steps back because of fear of missing out on life. I have only seen but very few movies that explore themes of suicide in such a brilliantly effective way (another example is Stephen Daldry's fantastic 'The Hours'). Most movies show characters succeeding, or the character being rescued or the aftermath on others but hardly is the theme further developed but here in just one line Ray skillfully explores this sensitive theme making it a powerful scene.

The discrimination against Indian Christians is also an interesting theme that Ray has introduced. I did not know that Indian Christians suffered so much discrimination (except during the British Raj) and it was interesting to see.

Ray is known for his ability to recognize talent. Soumitra Chatterjee is pretty much considered a regular in Ray films. He carries the film with sheer ease and delivers an incredible performance. Soumitra's display of the range of emotions and complexities of Singhji is amazing. The relationship between Singhji and Gulabi begins with reluctance and pity (even though he is aware that her attempts to visit him are not entirely honorable), then it shifts to lust but with every subsequent visit love develops. Waheeda Rehman can be counted on to deliver at least a good performance and here she is a total surprise, right from her first scene where she attempts to seduce Singhji and eventually revealing her vulnerable side sharing her dreams about her prince charming rescuing her and then marrying her, the dream that kept her alive and finally the scene where she confronts Singhji about his weakness and fatal path towards self destruction. While Singhji may have had mixed feelings for Gulabi, she has always looked at him with love, as a savior who will one day take her away from this state of purgatory and give her a new life. It is one of the most sympathetic performances of a prostitute that I have witnessed on screen. As Singhji's sidekick, Robi Ghosh is fun to watch. Gyanesh Mukherjee and Ruma Guha Thakur offer great support as the friend and potential love interest respectively.

In a way, the movie may remind one of Saratchandra's 'Devdas' except that Singhji isn't a guilt-ridden whining 'loser'. Even though he is about to embark a similar path of self destruction, to me his character is more human and the bond between him and Gulabi is more real than that of Devdas and Chandramukhi.

'Abhijaan' is another winner from the late genius called Satyajit Ray. I don't think there is more I need to say that has not already been said by someone else but if you haven't seen it then what are you waiting for?

Abhijaan / The Expedition (1962) : Brief Review -

A Classic Film Noir from Satyajit Ray which left Major influence for Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver. I had to mention Taxi Driver (1976) because it's a largely popular Hollywood flick and i think its reference will help Abhijaan to get more viewers. Although, it is not a remake of it, the Central character is highly similar and influenced by the one played in Abhijaan and most importantly it was almost one an half decade before Taxi Driver. If someone says Taxi Driver is a remake or adaption of Abhijaan then just shoot that guy, don't believe it. Abhijaan is far more conventional and character friendly than Taxi Driver which was more about the central character and his psychics. So, Abhijaan is about a Taxi Driver of Kshatriya cast who has been doomed by the people close to him. The only two things he is left with are his self Pride and his vintage Chrysler. He travels to other town and finds himself a chance to make big money through wrongdoings and then what happens is all you get to see in the film. The film gives the famous Ray flavour in its composition, flow and dialogues, and use of symbols. In a lead role, Soumitra Chatterjee is simply awesome. He lives the character on screen and his grasp over the intensity is terrific. 1962 has to be a memorable year Waheeda Rehman as she had Guru Dutt's Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam just before Abhijaan and got to play two of the most important roles of her careerin single year. The supporting cast is very good. Dialogues, cinematography and screenplay are just as nice as it should be. Ray's direction doesn't disappoint even though the film looks little longer. It's a trademark Satyajit Ray Classic. It has got everything what you seek from him and everything in the right quantity. Overall, a Classic Film Noir by the Master and a Must See for Noir lovers.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Have you seen the movie 'Drive'?! This is the Manbhum version of that. Much noir, much adventurous. The original bengali title means adventure as well. Ray's first work with Rabi Ghosh, and like most of his work, he is a scene stealer. Fanboys have theory about how Ghatak's 'Ajantrik' led Ray to make this which latter inspires Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver'. Tarashankar's story is so much hard boiled, in heat, literally, of the nature and the direction did justice to it. This is one of the best adapatation I would say. The famous 'Mama Bhagne' rock formation is very much symbolic with the story, the lead's inner struggle and even took the mythology behind it to foreshadow the twist. Another set of fanboys would remember this for Waheeda Rehman, one of the most beautiful actresses of our country.

Ray is the western face of Indian film-making. He also has a personal talent that is reminiscent of David Lean - intelligent, sophisticated, impeccable - that shows you exactly the right things, exactly what you felt you wanted to see. The story is of a taxi driver who sets himself up in a village with the help of a drug baron. Moral anguish ensues.

It's a long film and gives itself plenty of time to tackle a host of ethnic, social and personal issues: love, envy, pride, impetuosity, lust, hope, despair, corruption - too many to heap onto one man really - and we get a bit tired of 'Singhji' after an hour or so. It's odd because he is bad-tempered for a lead character whereas the 'bad guy', the corrupt businessman, is extremely good natured and likable.

The theme is the struggle to get ahead, embodied in the taxi driver's efforts to get past the cars ahead of him, or beat a train to its destination. The scenes on the dusty roads are among the most interesting as villagers and cows hurl themselves out of his way. Any intelligent film automatically contains humour, but the little chap playing the mechanic - familiar from other Ray films - is there for good measure.

Everything is in conflict here: caste against caste, boss against employee, business against business, woman against man - it's a tough old world. Ray put famed Bollywood goddess Waheeda Rehman among the low-life and the effect is startling. She takes a long time to make an appearance, but towards the end she spices up the film like a hot curry and it's worth the wait because you can't take your eyes off her.

Something of an Indian classic.