Watch Abohomaan

Abohomaan is a Bengali drama film directed by Rituparno Ghosh and released in 2009. The movie revolves around the life of an acclaimed filmmaker, Kushal Hazra (played by Dipankar Dey), who has led a successful professional and personal life. In the beginning, the movie shows Kushal as a respected and loving husband and father who has a close relationship with his wife, mother, son, and daughter.

However, everything changes when he falls in love with a young actress named Shikha (played by Ananya Chatterjee) who is almost half his age. Despite the societal norms and criticism, Kushal decides to leave his family and marry Shikha. This decision forever changes the dynamics of the relationships he has with his family and brings to the forefront concerns related to the morality of love and relationships across generations.

The story takes place in two separate time periods - the past when Kushal was still married and in the present, after he has remarried. The audience is made aware of the emotions and struggles of his past marriage primarily through the character of his wife, Ira (played by Mamata Shankar), and his daughter, Konkona (played by Raima Sen). Ira, who is physically challenged, struggles to come to terms with Kushal's decision, while Konkona suffers from the pain of the gradual disintegration of her family.

In the present, Kushal and Shikha are shown as a deeply loving couple who have a happy and fulfilling marriage. Their relationship is challenged by the arrival of Sudeshna (played by Ananya Chatterjee), their daughter from Kushal’s previous marriage, and by the personal history and conflicts that she brings with her. The film tackles what it means to be a parent, a spouse, and a lover, forcing the audience to question what happens when these roles start to blur.

The movie unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing the audience to take in and reflect on the dynamics of the relationships being portrayed. The camera work and music of the movie both help to convey the intended mood, emphasizing the estrangement of Kushal from his past family, and the connection that he shares with his new family. The acting performances of the lead actors Mamata Shankar, Dipankar Dey, and Jisshu Sengupta are particularly noteworthy and deeply emotional.

In conclusion, Abohomaan is a poignant and bittersweet film that explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and family. It challenges the conventional ways in which we view relationships and shows the varied shades of human emotions. The film acts as a reminder that love and desire are independent of age, and it is our perceptions, societal norms, and values that often limit our ability to embrace them freely. The movie leaves a lasting impact on the audience and calls on them to re-examine their beliefs surrounding unconventional relationships.

Abohomaan is a 2010 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.