Watch Shilalipi

Shilalipi is a 1984 Bengali film directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay. The film is based on a novel of the same name by Shibram Chakraborty. The movie stars Subhendu Chatterjee, Santosh Dutta, Ashok Kumar, and Santu Mukherjee. The movie revolves around the life of an old landlord named Deben who is a patriarch of his family. He lives in a large mansion with his wife and their four sons. Deben believes in the conservative societal norms and holds onto his family's prestige and reputation. He is a man of principles and expects everyone in his household to follow them too. Deben's wife has an intellectual interest in literature and is a writer herself.

The story takes a turn when Deben's youngest son, Ratan, falls in love with a prostitute named Basanti. Basanti is a victim of society's judgment and is ostracized because of her profession. Despite Ratan's siblings and father's objections, Ratan makes the decision to marry Basanti. The narrative explores the societal obstacles that the couple faces and follows their journey as they strive to prove their love.

The movie highlights the issues revolving around the oppressive social norms and taboos. It portrays the struggles of individuals who are forced to live in the boxes that society has created around them. The film sheds light on the callous attitudes of society towards individuals who attempt to break out of the shackles of tradition.

The film has a few subplots that add value to the overall narrative. One of the subplots deals with Deben's wife's journey as a writer. She is determined to publish a book which would change the societal mindset regarding prostitution, and its perception. The subplot offers a glimpse into the struggle that a woman had to face in the literary world and how the patriarchal society interfered with her ambitions.

The movie boasts of a stellar cast, including legendary actor Ashok Kumar, who plays the role of Deben. His character is portrayed as a man of high stature, someone who is respected by everyone around him. Santosh Dutta essayed the role of Deben's confidant and played his part to perfection. Subhendu Chatterjee and Santu Mukherjee displayed their impeccable acting abilities and brought their characters to life.

The music by Shyamal Mitra is soulful and complimentary to the movie's theme. The cinematography and art direction are impressive and transport the audience into a bygone era.

Overall, Shilalipi is a movie that stands the test of time. It is a poignant story that offers a glimpse into society's flaws and the challenges that individuals faced while trying to break out of the societal molds. The movie offers a message of love triumphing over societal norms and taboos. It is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a good narrative and stellar performances.