Watch Unishe April

Unishe April is a Bengali film directed by Aparna Sen, who also stars in the leading role as a successful classical dancer named Manisha. The film revolves around the complex and strained relationship between Manisha and her mother, Aarti Sengupta, played by Debashree Roy. The film opens with Manisha returning to her childhood home in Kolkata to perform a show. Her mother, a once-promising singer who had to give up her career to take care of her family, is excited to see her daughter perform but disappointed that Manisha has not stayed in touch over the years. The two women immediately clash, with Aarti accusing Manisha of being selfish and distant. However, as the film progresses, we learn more about the root of their issues and the emotions that have been simmering beneath the surface for years.

Through flashbacks, we see the moments in Manisha's childhood where her parents' expectations were too high and their love too conditional. Aarti, in particular, is shown as a strict and traditional parent who believes in a patriarchal society where women ought to be obedient to their husbands. This upbringing shaped Manisha's feelings of dissatisfaction, and made her pursue dance as an escape from her family's restrictions.

As the two women struggle to reconcile their differences, the film explores themes of mother-daughter relationships, identity, tradition versus modernity, aging, and the universal struggle to communicate effectively with those we love.

The film does an excellent job of portraying the nuanced emotions and factors that contribute to Manisha and Aarti's strained relationship. The acting performances are phenomenal, particularly from Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy, who manage to convey their characters' internal struggles with nuance and depth.

The cinematography is also breathtaking throughout, featuring sweeping shots of Kolkata's streets and stunning visuals of Manisha's dance performances.

Unishe April is a poignant and thought-provoking film that explores complex issues of family dynamics and societal expectations. It is a timeless masterpiece in Bengali cinema and a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the complexity of human relationships.

Unishe April is a 1994 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.