Reason, Debate and a Story (1974)

In this quest narrative that makes the Odyssey look like a trip to the mall, four men, each peculiar in his own way, embark on a quest to reason with the estranged wife of the protagonist.

Director:

Ritwik Ghatak

Writers:

Ritwik Ghatak (as Shri Ritwik Kumar Ghatak), Ritwik Ghatak

Stars:

Tripti Mitra, Shaonli Mitra, Sugata Burman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tripti Mitra	...	Durga
Shaonli Mitra	...	Bangabala
Sugata Burman	...	Nachiketa
Bijon Bhattacharya	...	Jagannath
Ranen Ray Choudhury
Partha Pratim Chowdhury
Utpal Dutt	...	Shatrujit
Satindra Bhattacharya
Pranab
Tarak Chatterjee	...	(as Tarak Chattopadhyay)
Nani Chatterjee	...	(as Nani Chattopadhyay)
Subrata Sensharma
Gyanesh Mukherjee	...	Panchanan Ustad (as Gyanesh Mukhopadhyay)
Arun Roy
Ananya Ray	...	Leader of Naxalites (as Ananyo Roy)

Storyline

Nilkantha, an alcoholic frustrated intellectual, suddenly finds himself out of the street. His wife, Durga has suffered for his waywardness and his love for the bottle, finally leaves him, taking their son with. Nachiketa, a young, unemployed engineer, stays behind to look after him. Bangbala, a young refugee form Bangladesh comes into the empty house looking for shelter. While they sit musing on a part bench, they are joined by Jagannath, a penniless Sanskrit teacher. The strange foursome start on their extraordinary journey to Kanchanpur, Nilkanth's wife's new home. They along with Panchanan Ustad, an exponent of the chhau dance witness a Chhau performance of goddess Durga destroying a demon. The group walks into a confrontation between the tribals and the landlord. The landlord shoots in panic and kills Jagannath. On their way to Nilkanth's wife Durga's place, they have to pass through a sal forest, where hidden eyes watch their progress. The forest is a hideout for rebellious ...

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Plot Keywords:

wife | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Story of Film: An Odyssey: New Directors, New Form (2011)

User Reviews

Nothing like this has ever been made in India

This not a fiction. It is not a documentary. It is not 'experimental'. It is hard to categorize this film. It is definitely an attempted comment on worldly existence, an essay. Though wholly subjective and completely personal. The essay is 'written' with some fictional elements, some documentary evidence and some autobiographical sketches. It is a truthful and honest account of a man, from under whose feet the mother earth was pulled away as if it was a flimsy rag. He does not want to fall, but he is falling. He is perpetually drunk. His family has deserted him. His ideology is shattered. No one gives him the attention he deserves. He is not in full control of his senses. Everything that he can feel with his senses, seem to be out of control. He wipes his face with his large paws as if to wake up from a stupid nightmare. With supreme courage he attempts a heroic journey 'inwards', towards the womb.In the end ghosts come and dance. He is confused.

Details

Official Sites:

YOUTUBE [India]

Country:

India

Language:

Bengali

Release Date:

30 September 1977 (India)

Also Known As:

Reason, Debate and a Story

Company Credits

Production Co:

Angel Digital Private Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Color:

Color Black and White