Watch Pratidwandi

Pratidwandi, released in 1970, is a Bengali film directed by Satyajit Ray. The movie explores the life of Siddhartha Chaudhuri, portrayed by Dhritiman Chatterjee, who is a young man from Kolkata struggling to find a job after completing his education in pharmaceuticals. Siddhartha comes from a typical middle-class family that is financially constrained. His father is paralyzed, and he has two younger sisters, one of whom is married. Siddhartha's ambition is to find a prestigious job that will enable him to support his family and allow him to fulfill his dreams.

However, Siddhartha's job search only uncovers the harsh realities of India's economy and job market at the time. He faces widespread unemployment, and the job opportunities that come his way are either unsatisfactory or require nepotism. In due course, Siddhartha also loses his love interest, who is forced to marry someone else.

As the plot thickens, Siddhartha becomes disillusioned with his life, succumbs to existential angst and is plagued by disturbing nightmares. He strives to find solace through his hobby of photography, but his desire to escape is always a reminder of the harsh realities of his life, smashing his hopes one after the other.

Satyajit Ray is known for his ability to craft artistic masterpieces that reveal various aspects of human nature. In Pratidwandi, Ray balances Siddhartha's journey with a focus on the socio-political environment of Kolkata in the 70s. The cityscape with the ever so evident Communist wave adds a significant social context that plays a critical role in Siddhartha's destiny, and further magnifies the underlying tension present in the film.

The cinematography by Soumendu Roy is a mesmerizing visual masterpiece, it captures the Kolkata of the 70s with its characteristic lighting, horizontal pan shots and still character sketches.

The film's background score is elegantly curated by Satyajit Ray himself. The presences of hauntingly beautiful tunes throughout the movie, accentuating the vividness and evoking emotions within the viewer.

Pratidwandi may be a work that is over 50 years old, but its theme remains relevant to this day. Thousands of Indians are still battling similar situations, fighting to climb social mobility ladders to support their families, and in dire search of jobs that fit their skill sets.

In conclusion, Pratidwandi is a must-watch for everyone who enjoys a great visual masterpiece that explores deep and meaningful themes. This poignant film affirms Satyajit Ray's prowess as a director and artist and serves as an inspiration to many.