Boudi Canteen Film Review
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Boudi Canteen Film Review
In the competitive landscape of Tollywood films, choosing which movie to watch on the opening day can be a challenging decision for undecided viewers. There are several options available, each with its own appeal. Vikram Vedha and Kacher Manush boast serious star power with Hrithik Roshan-Saif Ali Khan and Prosenjit-Dev respectively. Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1, a sweeping period drama directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Aishwarya Bachchan, Vikram, and Sobhita Dhulipala, offers an enticing escapism. Additionally, there's Karnasubarner Guptodhon, a treasure hunt film targeted at younger audiences but also drawing attention from adults.
However, if you decide to watch Parambrata Chattopadhyay's Boudi Canteen, you likely won't regret trading the escapism of Ponniyin Selvan or the swagger of Vikram Vedha for a linear and insightful storytelling experience that knows its demographic well. The film revolves around Poulami (Subhashree Ganguly), a teacher and homemaker who has a passion and talent for cooking. She aspires to pursue a career doing what she loves. Her supportive husband Sourish (Parambrata) introduces her to Bablu (Soham Chakraborty), the owner of a food delivery service, and they form a partnership where Poulami cooks for his delivery service.
As the story progresses, some minor problems arise but they are not overly significant or catastrophic. Sourish faces a financial setback, and his sudden coldness leaves Poulami confused. Poulami's seemingly snobbish mother-in-law, Surbhi (Anusua Majumdar), is disappointed when she learns about Poulami's business. However, her disapproval stems not from a lack of support but rather from a desire to have something impressive to boast about to her peers in the NGO community. In typical upper-middle-class family fashion, it's just a motherly concern.
Majumdar, who excels at portraying difficult in-law characters, knows her role well and delivers a commendable performance. Parambrata effectively portrays Sourish, a sensitive and sensible man working as a women's columnist. He is an overall good guy who simply wants to manage his EMIs. Soham Chakraborty finally finds a script that allows him to showcase his acting skills, and he does so convincingly. Subhashree shines as the main protagonist, Poulami, stealing the scenes with her impeccable performance. She skillfully delivers snappy lines while navigating the challenges of portraying a "good woman" character.
While the film occasionally tackles multiple social messages, it succeeds in highlighting the gendered nature of cooking tasks. It acknowledges the ongoing problem of women facing skepticism when leading commercial kitchens, an issue that persists even today. While the film doesn't delve deeply into the complexities, it initiates a dialogue about gender roles and elitism, shedding light on aspects that are often overlooked. In a broader sense, Boudi Canteen offers good value for money, which is commendable given the concerns surrounding the domination of OTT platforms in the film industry. It provides its audience with a satisfying ending while also leaving them with some food for thought.