Mar. 15, 2019
Genre: Bangla;Drama
Description: Shankar Mudi, a 2019 Bengali film, follows the story of Shankar, a humble local grocer whose life takes a turn when a new shopping mall opens in his neighborhood. The movie shines when it stays true to its central theme but loses focus with unnecessary diversions. It’s a slice-of-life narrative about a traditional grocer who serves as a friend and confidant to everyone in the community. The plot feels familiar, reminiscent of the Barbershop series, though here the protagonist is a grocer instead of a barber.
Shankar is more than just a shop owner; he’s a kind-hearted, jolly man who has been running his store for years. He knows his customers’ habits and preferences better than they do, and they trust him with their daily needs and even personal matters. Shankar’s unwavering support often extends to forgiving debts of deceased customers, showcasing his deep connection to the community.
However, trouble arises when a luxurious mall begins to threaten the existence of small local businesses like Shankar’s. The film explores the tension between traditional shops and modern capitalism, raising questions about coexistence and survival. The story’s core revolves around the challenges Shankar and other small shop owners face in this changing landscape.
While the script has its moments of lightness and charm, it often drifts into unrelated issues, detracting from its main focus. Despite this, Shankar Mudi offers a heartfelt look at the struggles of a traditional businessman adapting to a rapidly modernizing world.
Cast director: Aniket Chattopadhyay
Cast actor: Kaushik Ganguly, Jisshu Sengupta, Anjan Dutt, Shantilal Mukherjee, Rudranil Ghosh, Kanchan Mullick, Sreela Majumdar, Ankitaa Chakraborty, Biswanath Basu, Saswata Chatterjee
Original name: Shankar Mudi