Bulbbul – A Big Fuck You to Patriarchy
Bulbbul is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language supernatural drama film written and directed by Anvita Dutt.
Produced by Anushka Sharma and Karnesh Sharma, the film stars Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Paoli Dam, Rahul Bose and Parambrata Chattopadhyay.
It tells the story of a man who returns home after years to find his brother’s child bride now grown up in his ancestral village.
The statement above sums up the premise that is set at the end of the 18th Century
Let’s Find Out How This One Fares!
So, What Doesn’t Work?
- The Writing is not strong enough
- Certain plot points are pretty obvious and predictable
- The nature of this writing doesn’t make the material challenging enough
- Certain characters remain under developed
- For instance, Paoli Dam’s character had potential
- It just isn’t explored enough
- Another one wasted is Parambrata Chattopadhyay
- As the Voice of Conscience, he could have delivered
Now, What Works?
- Barring apart the initial write up, the narrative is crafted with enough pace
- The sequences segue into each other with the pace edited in a nifty manner
- The script is tightly woven with the non linear narrative doing it’s job pretty well
- There are no moments where the pace slackens
- The Direction remains light handed and restrictive
- This gives the audiences the chance to be lured into the world of Bulbbul with ease
The Other Aspects That Work?
- Amit Trivedi’s Musical score is suited for the atmosphere
- It stays true to the essence of the Story
- The Cinematography by Siddharth Diwan is Immaculate
- The Frames, Set up of Scenes & The Emphasis on Lighting Techniques lends just the right amount of Creepiness
- The Production & Art Department(Meenal/Tushar) captures the Era to the Tee
- The Subtle references to Male Entitlement & Privelege, Patriarchy & Chauvinism are placed aptly in the narrative
- The story of Bulbbul puts these in front of us and we rarely notice
- Their placement is truly subtle, yet hit us like Sledgehammers
- There are 2 scenes that manage to essay the full impact of the Concept
- As I said previously, you will see them coming(The Writing, remember?)
- However, that does not take away from the impact of these sequences
- The Credit goes to Dutt and Her Cinematographer for the way these are shot
- Their overall execution and depiction will still make you cringe
The Performances?
- Dutt manages to get cracker jack performances from the entire crew of Bulbbul
- Paoli as the Choti Bahu/Binodini executes a feisty act
- As I said earlier, the Writing impacts her role as it could have been much more
- Tiwary as Satya Thakur pulls of a restrained performance
- Walking the tightrope between A Friend & The Typical Man in the Family is something he captures on point
- He downplays the risk of a caricature and delivers
The Next One?
- Bose in a Dual Role is, well what should I say?
- He’s still evergreen, and again proves the adage:
- Give Him Meat, and He will Devour It!
- Even when he’s gobbling up screen space, he imbues Subtlety in his roles
Lastly, Tripti Dimri:
- This is the first time I have witnessed her on screen
- Seems she’s done her home work well
- She totally surrenders to the Director’s Vision
- The transformation between Coy, Vile, Carefree and All other adjectives is Effortless
- She adds layers to her expressions in certain sequences
- Keep a watch for these and you will be delighted!
The Verdict?
- Bulbbul should be seen for It’s Concept
- The Light Hearted Horror Tale
- The Subtle Digs to Age Old Patriarchy
AND:
A Big Fuck You to Male Privilege
The Place of Our Women in Our Society even Today
Anvita Dutt for delivering a relevant message that also Entertains
Hats off to Anushka and her Brother Karnesh for backing Another Novel Vision & Attempt
If These Aren’t Reasons Enough, Then I Don’t Know What Is
0