Watch Paromitar Ek Din

Paromitar Ek Din is a 2000 Indian Bengali drama film directed by Aparna Sen starring Soumitra Chatterjee, Aparna Sen, and Rituparna Sengupta. The movie beautifully captures the complexities and nuances of familial relationships, particularly those between a mother and a daughter. The story is centered around the character named Sudha (played by Rituparna Sengupta), a young woman who is married off to a family in another city, away from her own mother Paromita Devi (Aparna Sen). Paromita manages her household with grace and ease, but harbours a sense of deep sadness due to living apart from her daughter for so long. Her life changes with the arrival of Sudha's mother-in-law, the titular Paromita (Soumitra Chatterjee), a widowed and independent woman who lives life on her own terms. She is initially met with suspicion and unease by Paromita Devi, but their conversations gradually bring out a deeper understanding of life and the choices they have made.

The movie presents a fascinating contrast between the lives of the two Paromitas, one who is confined to her own life as a homemaker and mother, and the other who is a free-spirit and has lived her life to the fullest. Both forge an unlikely bond as both slowly become aware of the lives they have had to lead and how they have acted as their own self-imposed shackles. Over the course of the movie, we see their friendship and understanding grow from initial hostility to mutual respect, admiration and above all else, empathy. A journey that endears the audience to the characters and their emotional turmoil.

One of the strongest aspects of the film is the writing. Aparna Sen beautifully explores the woman's psyche in the film and the dynamics a mother-daughter relationship. The conversation between the two Paromitas are heart-warming and sensitive, and it is where the film is at its most captivating. The movie is simple and elegant in its execution, and the cinematography is equally good. The film is set primarily in Paromita Devi's home, which is noticeable for its simplicity and elegance.

The performances are all brilliant, and the actors breathe life into their respective characters. Aparna Sen is efficient in her role as the restrained and sad mother of Sudha. Rituparna Sengupta, in the role of Sudha gives an excellent performance as the young woman, who can be strong-willed and headstrong. However, it is Soumitra Chatterjee in the role of Paromita, who truly steals the show. Chatterjee, a legend in Bengali cinema, plays the role of a completely different kind of character from his previous roles. His performance as the bold, carefree Paromita is nothing short of mesmerizing.

The movie is a thought-provoking study of human relationships and their intricacies. The characters come across as real and relatable, with dialogues and situations that reflect everyday life. The film relies more on the strength of its writing and acting rather than big set pieces and has a naturalistic feel to it, which makes it all the more effective. The movie, while primarily a drama, also has a lightness of touch, providing moments of levity and unexpected humour.

In conclusion, Paromitar Ek Din is a slow-burning, emotional and profound work of cinema. It is a finely crafted film that delves deep into the complexities of human relationships. It is a story of two women from two different worlds, coming together and finding solace in each other's company. The writing is outstanding, and the performances impeccable, making the movie an unforgettable experience that resonates with the audience long after it has ended.

Paromitar Ek Din is a 2000 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.