Watch 36 Chowringhee Lane

In the bustling city of Calcutta, India during the 1970s, we meet Miss Violet Stoneham (Jennifer Kendal), an elderly Anglo-Indian school teacher living alone in her dilapidated flat on the titular 36 Chowringhee Lane. Her days are spent teaching Shakespeare to a handful of schoolgirls and caring for her cat, Sir Toby. One day, one of her former students Nandita (Debashree Roy) comes to visit, along with her new husband, Samaresh (Dhritiman Chatterjee). Miss Stoneham is excited to have visitors, but it soon becomes clear that they are not interested in spending much time with her. However, they soon ask Miss Stoneham if they can borrow her flat for a little while to "get to know each other better", to which she agrees.

Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, and Miss Stoneham is left alone with her thoughts and memories. As Nandita and Samaresh use her flat as their own secret hideaway, Miss Stoneham begins to feel forgotten and ignored. She spends her days going through old items and letters, reminiscing about her past and wondering what the future holds for her.

Throughout the film, we see flashbacks of Miss Stoneham's life in Calcutta, where she had been married and had a son, whom she lost during the chaos of the partition of India in 1947. We also learn about her strained relationship with her sister, who had left India for Canada years ago.

As the film progresses, we see Miss Stoneham become more and more distressed by her situation. Her old age and isolation are weighing heavily on her, and she becomes desperate for some kind of human contact. She begins to reach out to her former students, inviting them to tea and trying to connect with them in any way she can.

Ultimately, the film is a poignant meditation on aging, loneliness, and the human need for connection. Kendal's performance as Miss Stoneham is understated and heart-wrenching, and the film's portrayal of life in Calcutta during the 70s is both vibrant and sobering.

Overall, 36 Chowringhee Lane is a beautifully crafted film that explores complex themes with sensitivity and grace. It's a must-watch for fans of thoughtful, character-driven dramas.