Beautifully shot in realistic settings, Sonar Baran Pakhi - a biopic of the legendary singer Pratima Barua Pande - is a flawed gem. It could have been far better, but it still is able to hold the interest of the viewer with extremely well-done settings and reasonably good acting.
The script is disjointed to the point where many viewers might get confused - a back and forth between timelines could be a good thing when done well - but it is badly done in this movie. There are also a few scenes that are difficult to understand, like the scene where Pratima finds her mother weeping in the dark bedroom.
The acting is okay. The lead actress does a very convincing job and the veteran Pranjal Saikia is good. The acting of the side actors are mostly above average.
What makes this film stand out, however, are Pratima Pande's songs. The film has used the original soundtracks of the singer, and this works wonders. Her haunting voice, coming through the ages, as powerful and emotional as always, brings her story out, more than any of the visuals.
The script is disjointed to the point where many viewers might get confused - a back and forth between timelines could be a good thing when done well - but it is badly done in this movie. There are also a few scenes that are difficult to understand, like the scene where Pratima finds her mother weeping in the dark bedroom.
The acting is okay. The lead actress does a very convincing job and the veteran Pranjal Saikia is good. The acting of the side actors are mostly above average.
What makes this film stand out, however, are Pratima Pande's songs. The film has used the original soundtracks of the singer, and this works wonders. Her haunting voice, coming through the ages, as powerful and emotional as always, brings her story out, more than any of the visuals.
