Experimentation, along with a director-writer wanting to tell the story as she wants without any consideration for audience intelligence and interest is responsible for what BULBUL does to you.
Moreover, there was a high expectation from makers of NH10 ( Brilliant) and PARI ( Likeable). The trailer did rest of the damage. It tickled audience nerve blunted by the Bollywood style paranormal. They were encouraged by the trailer, Oh, it is not a horror film at all but more of a mystery- a chase- a story worth watching!
The Trailer said; From The Makers Of Nh10 And Pari, A Netflix Original Film, A Fairy Tale Like No Other, A World Of Innocence And Intrigue. Mystery In Their Eyes, Deceit In Their Hearts and Secrets In Their Soul.
HERE I GO
Mrs Bulbbul Chaudhary, the central female character, is fabulously played by Tripti Dimri. Her emotions and thoughts are subtly released through her eyes and smile. You love her for her innocence and beauty.
She is ably supported by Rahul Bose as her husband (Indranil Thakur ) and in another role as her husband’s differently challenged brother.
Satyajeet Thakur (Avinash Tiwary) as the younger brother of Bulbul’s husband seemed too stone-faced and stupid not to understand Bulbul’s fears and love. Pauli Dam, adds to the flavour as Binodini, wife of Indralil Thakur’s challenged brother and scheming lady of the house. She seems far more potent both as the Choti Bahu and later as the widow. In fact, there are reasons to appreciate her ole as she can superbly play the initial upper hand to later stage dependency as the widow.
The story is contrived. But then many such stories are. However, the audience knows that whenever the director (tries to over direct doubt on a character, that character is never the culprit. The villain is almost always the seemingly sweet looking vulnerable possible victim. And the audience knows the possible story vector far before the director wants them to know. Anvita Dutt, as debut director, fails in keeping you engaged.
The costume director has done brilliant work in keeping it authentic to the period. The location is excellent, and you can’t find fault it. Sone effects not so clean, but you let them go.
SUMMARY
Bulbbul ends up being SUSHI for INDIAN pallet. It is a lovely film that suffers from a debut director’s attempt to try to make every frame count. Seems no one guided her that frames need to be seen as connected gems to make a necklace. It happens to people who come from an advertising background.
No, it is not a Horror movie. It is a paranormal tale set in British time Bengal. No, it is not a mystery at all. The only positive is that Anvita Dutt has made a movie she believes in and the way she wanted. At least that means one person is happy with it.
So, if you watch this movie, don’t blame me for the experience. Some of you may actually like it.
Anushka Sharma, as a producer, has been experimenting with paranormal. Phillauri, Pari, Patal Lok, maybe she can pick the novel ‘CHIMERA OF LANSDOWNE- you will hate to be in her thoughts’. It has great potential to be converted into a movie or serialised on OTT. ( Yes, I am plugging it- I am the writer of that book)
BULBUL STAR CAST: Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Rahul Bose, Paoli Dam, DIRECTOR: Anvita Dutt
To connect send an email , follow on twitter S_kotnala
BLOG/ 44/ movie / 5 / 2020
