Watch Ek Din Pratidin

Ek Din Pratidin is a highly acclaimed Bengali movie from the year 1979, directed by renowned filmmaker Mrinal Sen. Mrinal Sen is known for his socially relevant films and his efforts to portray the everyday struggles of common people in his films. Ek Din Pratidin is another such masterpiece from his vast repertoire of films. The story of the film revolves around a middle-class family living in Kolkata. The family consists of the father, mother, two sons and two daughters. All of them work in different fields to support the family. One day, the eldest daughter, Chinu (played by Mamata Shankar), who works in a theatre group, doesn't return home after her show. Her family waits and worries about her all night. The next morning, when Chinu returns home, her family is relieved, but soon they receive a notice from the neighbourhood association accusing Chinu of immoral behaviour. The rest of the movie revolves around how the family deals with this accusation, how they try to protect their daughter's honour and dignity, and how they come to terms with the harsh realities of life.

The performances of the actors in the film are exceptional. Satya Banerjee plays the role of the father, who is trying his best to protect his daughter's honour, while Gita Sen plays the mother, who is torn between her loyalty towards her daughter and her duty to the family. Mamata Shankar's portrayal of Chinu is raw and realistic, and she does justice to the character.

The film deals with various themes, including patriarchy, social norms, and the struggle of a middle-class family. It shows how people in society pass judgments based on their own rigid beliefs and expectations, without giving others a chance to explain their side of the story. The film also portrays how deep-rooted patriarchy affects the lives of women in society. The characters in the film struggle to find their footing in a society that constantly judges them and imposes its own set of beliefs on them.

The movie is shot in a minimalist style, with many long shots and minimal dialogues. This style of filmmaking allows the audience to focus on the emotions of the actors and the nuances of the story, without any unnecessary distractions. The music in the movie is minimal, with only a few instruments used throughout the film.

The film received critical acclaim both in India and abroad. It won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali, the International Critics' Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and the Best Film award at the Chicago International Film Festival. The film is considered one of Mrinal Sen's best and has become a classic of Indian cinema.

Overall, Ek Din Pratidin is a must-watch for anyone interested in meaningful cinema. The film's themes are universal, and its portrayal of a middle-class family's struggles is something that most people can relate to. The film serves as a stark reminder of the realities of life and the harsh judgments that people in society pass without knowing the whole truth. It is a film that will stay with the audience long after the end credits roll.