Unishe April: A Masterpiece of Bengali Cinema by Rituparno Ghosh

If you are a fan of Bengali cinema, you must have heard of Unishe April, a 1994 film directed by Rituparno Ghosh and starring Aparna Sen, Debashree Roy, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Deepankar De. The film is widely regarded as one of the best films ever made in Bengali language, and has won several awards and accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and Best Actress. The film is a loose remake of Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata, and explores the complex and strained relationship between a mother and a daughter.

What is Unishe April about?

Unishe April (meaning April 19) is the story of Sarojini (Aparna Sen), a famous dancer who has devoted her life to her art, neglecting her family and personal life. Her husband Manish (Bodhiswatta Majumdar) dies in a car accident, leaving behind their daughter Aditi (Debashree Roy), who grows up resenting her mother for being absent and indifferent. Aditi becomes a doctor like her father, and marries Ranjan (Prosenjit Chatterjee), a journalist. Sarojini lives alone with her maid (Chitra Sen) and her manager (Dipankar De).

The film begins with Sarojini receiving an invitation from Aditi to visit her on her birthday, which happens to be April 19, the same day as Manish’s death anniversary. Sarojini decides to accept the invitation, hoping to mend her relationship with her daughter. However, things do not go as planned, as Aditi confronts her mother with years of pent-up anger and bitterness. The film depicts the emotional turmoil and conflict between the two women, as they try to understand each other and themselves.

Why is Unishe April a masterpiece?

Unishe April is a masterpiece for many reasons. Here are some of them:

It is a brilliant example of Rituparno Ghosh’s filmmaking style, which combines realism, sensitivity, and aesthetics.
It showcases the acting prowess of Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy, who deliver powerful and nuanced performances as the mother and daughter.
It explores the themes of art, family, identity, love, loss, guilt, forgiveness, and reconciliation in a profound and poignant way.
It uses minimalistic settings, dialogues, music, and camera movements to create a captivating and intimate atmosphere.
It has a universal appeal and resonance, as it deals with human emotions and relationships that transcend cultural boundaries.

Unishe April is a film that will touch your heart and soul, and make you think about your own life and relationships. It is a film that deserves to be watched and appreciated by every lover of cinema.

How to watch Unishe April online?

If you want to watch Unishe April online, you have some options. You can stream the film on YouTube, where it is available for free with English subtitles. You can also rent or buy the film on Amazon Prime Video, where it is available in HD quality. You can also download the film from various websites, such as Bengali Movies Online or Bengali Torrents. However, you need to be careful and cautious when downloading the film from the internet, as some of the websites may contain viruses, malware, or spyware that can harm your computer or steal your personal information.

What are the reviews and ratings of Unishe April?

Unishe April has received rave reviews and ratings from critics and audiences alike. The film has a rating of 8.1 out of 10 on IMDb, based on 1,128 votes. The film also has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon Prime Video, based on 32 reviews. The film has been praised for its direction, screenplay, cinematography, music, and especially the performances of Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy. Here are some of the reviews of Unishe April:

“Unishe April is a rare gem in Indian cinema. It is a film that explores the complex emotions and dynamics between a mother and a daughter with honesty and sensitivity. Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy are outstanding as the two protagonists, who bring out the pain and love in their characters with subtlety and grace. Rituparno Ghosh’s direction is flawless, as he creates a captivating and intimate atmosphere with minimalistic settings and dialogues. The film is a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you watch it.”

– Ramesh S., Amazon Prime Video review

“Unishe April is one of the best films ever made in Bengali language. It is a film that touches your heart and soul with its powerful and poignant story of a mother and a daughter who try to reconcile their differences and understand each other. Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy give stellar performances as the mother and daughter, who portray their emotions and conflicts with realism and depth. Rituparno Ghosh’s direction is superb, as he uses simple and elegant techniques to create a mesmerizing and emotional film. The film is a must-watch for every lover of cinema.”

– Ananya M., IMDb review

What are the awards and accolades of Unishe April?

Unishe April is a film that has won several awards and accolades, both nationally and internationally. The film has been recognized for its excellence in various aspects, such as direction, screenplay, cinematography, music, and acting. Here are some of the awards and accolades of Unishe April:

It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film at the 42nd National Film Awards in 1995.
It also won the National Film Award for Best Actress for Debashree Roy at the same event.
It was nominated for the New Currents Award at the Busan International Film Festival in 1996.
It won the Best Director Award for Rituparno Ghosh at the Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards in 1995.
It also won the Best Actress Award for Aparna Sen and the Best Supporting Actor Award for Deepankar De at the same event.
It won the Best Film Award at the Kalakar Awards in 1995.
It also won the Best Actress Award for Aparna Sen and the Best Supporting Actress Award for Chitra Sen at the same event.

Unishe April is a film that has been honored and appreciated by various critics and jury members for its artistic and cinematic merit. It is a film that has made a mark in the history of Bengali cinema and Indian cinema.

What is the impact and influence of Unishe April?

Unishe April is a film that has had a significant impact and influence on Bengali cinema and Indian cinema. The film is considered to be one of the pioneers of the parallel cinema movement in Bengal, which emerged in the 1990s as a response to the decline of the mainstream commercial cinema. The film is also credited with reviving the genre of art films and family dramas, which had lost their popularity and relevance in the previous decades. The film is also regarded as one of the best examples of women-centric films, which focus on the lives and struggles of women in a patriarchal society.

The film has also influenced and inspired many filmmakers and actors, both in Bengal and beyond. Some of the filmmakers who have acknowledged the influence of Unishe April are Aparna Sen, Goutam Ghose, Anjan Dutt, Kaushik Ganguly, Srijit Mukherji, Nandita Das, and Shoojit Sircar. Some of the actors who have expressed their admiration for Unishe April are Konkona Sen Sharma, Raima Sen, Rituparna Sengupta, Swastika Mukherjee, Paoli Dam, Radhika Apte, and Vidya Balan.

Unishe April is a film that has left a lasting impression on the minds and hearts of the viewers and the filmmakers. It is a film that has enriched and elevated the standards and quality of Bengali cinema and Indian cinema.

What is the relation between Unishe April and Autumn Sonata?

Unishe April is a film that is inspired by Autumn Sonata, a 1978 film directed by Ingmar Bergman and starring Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann. Autumn Sonata is also a drama film that explores the strained relationship between a mother and a daughter, who meet for the first time in years. The mother is a famous pianist who has neglected her daughter, who is a married woman with a troubled past. The film depicts their emotional confrontation and reconciliation over a night.

Rituparno Ghosh, the director of Unishe April, has acknowledged the influence of Autumn Sonata on his film. He has said that he was fascinated by the theme of mother-daughter conflict, and wanted to adapt it to the Indian context. He has also said that he was impressed by the performances of Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann, and wanted to cast Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy in similar roles. He has also said that he was inspired by the use of music and color in Autumn Sonata, and tried to incorporate them in his film.

However, Unishe April is not a mere copy of Autumn Sonata. It has its own originality and creativity, as it adds new elements and dimensions to the story. For instance, Unishe April introduces a third character, Helena, who is the disabled sister of Eva. Helena represents the innocence and vulnerability of Eva, and also serves as a contrast to the cold and distant Charlotte. Unishe April also changes the setting from a rural mansion in Norway to a small town in Bengal. Unishe April also reflects the cultural and social aspects of Bengal, such as the role of women, the importance of art, and the influence of religion.

Unishe April is a film that pays homage to Autumn Sonata, but also transcends it. It is a film that shows the universality and diversity of human emotions and relationships.

How to appreciate Unishe April as a film?

Unishe April is a film that deserves to be appreciated as a film, not just as a story. The film is a remarkable example of cinematic art, as it uses various techniques and elements to create a powerful and captivating experience for the viewers. Here are some of the ways to appreciate Unishe April as a film:

Pay attention to the direction and screenplay by Rituparno Ghosh, who has crafted a tight and coherent narrative that keeps the viewers engaged and intrigued.
Notice the cinematography by Sunirmal Mazumdar, who has used natural light and colors to create a realistic and intimate atmosphere.
Listen to the music by Jyotishka Dasgupta, who has used Chopin’s preludes to enhance the mood and emotion of the scenes.
Observe the editing by Sylvia Ingmarsdotter, who has used smooth transitions and cuts to maintain the continuity and pace of the film.
Admire the acting by Aparna Sen, Debashree Roy, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Deepankar De, and Lena Nyman, who have delivered natural and expressive performances that bring their characters to life.

Unishe April is a film that is rich in cinematic quality and beauty. It is a film that can be enjoyed and analyzed on multiple levels.

Conclusion

Unishe April is a film that is a masterpiece of Bengali cinema and Indian cinema. It is a film that explores the complex and strained relationship between a mother and a daughter, who meet for the first time in years. It is a film that is inspired by Autumn Sonata, but also has its own originality and creativity. It is a film that showcases the filmmaking style and skills of Rituparno Ghosh, and the acting talents of Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy. It is a film that has won several awards and accolades, and has influenced and inspired many filmmakers and actors. It is a film that has had a significant impact and influence on Bengali cinema and Indian cinema. It is a film that deserves to be watched and appreciated by every lover of cinema.

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