Athhoi Film Review
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Athhoi: The timeless tale of love and betrayal...
About the story: There was tremendous anticipation regarding the forthcoming film Athhoi. This film is based on Shakespeare's timeless tragedy Othello. Before the cinematic representation, this drama was adopted by Arna Mukherjee as a stage play. Later, after some research and analysis, he thought of making a film on the same play and that is how Athhoi happened. To tell the story briefly, it revolves around what all changes that came into Athhoi's life after Diya's entry into his life. Why do all the people of the village listen to Athhoi ,why does Gogo play the game and what all changes came into the two protagonists' life after Gogo played the game? To know the answer to all these you have to watch the film.
About the cast: Anirban Bhattacharya, Sohini Sarkar, Arna Mukhopadhyay, Ditipriya Roy, Arpan Ghoshal, Mimi Dutta, etc
About the director and producer: The film is directed by Arna Mukhopadhyay. Othhoi, after its successful theatrical presentation, is now being adapted for silver screen by SVF Entertainment and JIO Studios.
About the movie review: Now let me talk about certain positive and negative aspects of this film
.
The positive points: Talking about the positive points first, there are quite a few. Initially after watching the trailer and the teaser, I told you that this film is going to be a technically brilliant film. Those of you who have watched the film will understand that the film is technically very sound. All the frames that are aptured are quite intriguing and they successfully narrate the story and the journey of the individuals. In certain scenes, the frames are captured in a single take. There's one place where in one go the camera captures the scene where Athhoi is looking at Mukul and then it goes from there to the place where Gogo is standing near the door and then again it goes back to Mukul who is standing at the window. Capturing all these characters in just one frame really looks beautiful. Another very interesting thing is that in many places there is absolute darkness and only lights from two torches are seen which are also changing colours. There are certain scenes where within a single frame the world of imagination and the reality both are shown together, just buy changing of lights and these places impress the audience to a great extent.
Now let me talk about the editing. The editing is also very good. As I told you already that there are certain scenes where there is reality and certain scenes where there is imagination. How these two are merged that is quite interesting. In some places while showcasing the past, how those incidents are framed that is also very interesting. Another very important and intriguing aspect is that, in some scenes there are theatrical approach, called the breaking of the 4th wall,that theory is also used. In some scenes again, jump cut is used and that is very interesting and how those scenes are merged, that is visually very appealing. The way the colour grading is used to reflect the internal psychological conflict of the characters, are simply mind blowing. In fact more than the film itself the technical aspects are enhancing the film. And the background score is simply outstanding. In many places the background score has enriched the movie. Amit Chatterjee's music is good. Through the songs the past of the characters are shown; their pain their agony are reflected and the fourth wall is penetrating during these scenes and the narration combined with the background score, those are goosebump raising moments.
Now let me talk about the performance or acting part. In some places Anirban Bhattacharya Bhattacharya is simply outstanding. By breaking the 4th wall he has delivered the dialogues, those places are going to haunt the audience. And the dialogues which are written for his character are going to stay with you long after the film gets over. Now let's talk about Arna Mukhopadhyay who has played the character of Athhoi, though his screen time is less and
dialogues are also less in number, but even with less dialogues the way he is expressing his emotions through silence is going to stay with the viewers. In certain places you might feel, that compared to Iago, Athhoi's character, his dialogues seem more relevant in your life. Sohini Sarkar as Diya or Desdimona has given a commendable performance. Thus performance of all the three lead characters are praise worthy. Another important positive point is the making of
the film. As all of you know that if Anirban Bhattacharya is there in a project, be it as a director or as an art director, his theatrical approach is there. Here also the theory of breaking the 4th wall and some other theatrical approaches, the usage of light, all these places are really good.
The negative aspects: Now let me talk about the negative points of the film; and there are quite a few. Firstly the
village which has been kept at the backdrop, because the film is village centric. But that apart the role of the village in the entire film is missing. Then the way the doctor's profession is highlighted in this movie. The scene where Mukul is repeatedly using the word compounder. But was he really the compounder? Did he help Athhoi with his medical work? If so the chemistry between the two is not highlighted .Then comes the chemistry between Othello and Desdimona
that is Athhoi and Diya in this movie. The chemistry of their relationship is not very tangible. What I have already said that character of Athhoi is not portrayed as much it was required. Here the film revolves around Gogo or Iago. And why all the villagers respected Gogo's Father and obeyed him that is also not clear. Again there are some places which might seem a little over dramatic. In certain scenes you will find Anirban's acting absolutely enticing and in some others you may find it a bit melodramatic. Not only Anirban but different characters at time seem overdramatic. That scene where Mukul is saying that he will bring a singer from the village and later his behaviour, his gait all seem over dramatic. This overdramatic portions do not gel with the otherwise brilliant movie.And lastly the length of the film. The film runs for 2 hours 40 minutes and at times it may become monotonous. The crispiness of the first half gradually fades as the movie proceeds.
Verdict:
The film is overall a good movie and entails some brilliant acting and technical brilliance. All of you should go and watch the movie. I think you will like it.