Jan. 02, 1973|India|117 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Bangla;Comedy;Romance
Description: “Basanta Bilap,” a 1973 film, revolves around Anadi, a publishing house employee played by Kharaj Mukherjee, who constantly fears losing his job due to his manager, Paranpriyo, portrayed by Paran Bandyopadhyay. The arrival of Shakuntala, played by Moon Moon Sen, disrupts their work routine. She expresses affection for Anadi, which angers his boss. However, there might be a deeper connection between Shakuntala and Anadi.
While the film features prominent actors known for their comic timing and draws inspiration from a title that evokes nostalgia, it falls short of being a hit. Comedy is challenging, and “Abar Basanta Bilap” struggles to excel in this genre. Despite numerous opportunities for humor, it fails to enhance the plot effectively.
The film’s redeeming quality lies in its climax, which skillfully ties together two distinct narratives: one exploring middle-aged men’s fantasies and the other depicting a lackluster romance. Although the movie includes three intertwined love stories, the third—a same-sex relationship between Mir and Sumit—feels out of place and forced within the broader storyline.
The first tale, featuring Kharaj, Paran, and Moon Moon in a love triangle, is somewhat bearable due to their on-screen presence. However, it does not rank among their best performances. Another subplot involves Anubhav, Kharaj’s on-screen son, pursuing Devlina, but it feels neither romantic nor humorous. Despite this, Anubhav’s portrayal of his character stands out.
The male actors—Kharaj, Paran, Mir, Sumit, and Anubhav—bring excessive enthusiasm to their roles, which contrasts with the lack of expression from Moon Moon and Devlina. While the film has its moments, it ultimately fails to deliver a cohesive and engaging comedy. “Basanta Bilap 1973” remains a mixed bag, with both bright and dull spots in its narrative.
Cast director: Dinen Gupta
Cast actor: Soumitra Chatterjee, Aparna Sen, Rabi Ghosh, Kajol Gupta, Anup Kumar, Sumitra Mukherjee, Chinmoy Roy, Sibani Bose, Kanika Majumdar
Original name: Basanta Bilap