'Open Tee Bioscope' to ‘Ahare Mon’: 5 FEEL GOOD Bengali movies to watch while you’re self-isolating

It’s been a while we are pretty much stuck at our homes except to stock up on essentials as self isolation and social distancing continues. And a sense of sadness has taken over all of us amid the growing tension because of the coronavirus panic. Why not watch something that will cheer you up? Who doesn’t love binge watching ‘feel good’ movies? Whether it’s a rough day at work or an unpleasant break up, a ‘feel good’ cinema will always cheer you up. Perhaps food and films are the most liked options that strike your mind to feel good, especially when you are having a lean phase in life. You can watch these Bengali movies to feel good while stuck at home.

Pratim D Gupta’s ‘Ahare Mon’ can fill your heart with warmth while bringing back smile to a tired soul’s face. Deliberation in the design of four stories and the unpredictable equations between the lead characters has elements that right away inspire us to feel lucky for the little joys in life. The film doesn’t raise intellectual questions, neither has it happy endings. The film only tells the stories often hidden in social norms and the realities of a mundane life. Pratim D Gupta not only delivers his finesse in storytelling, but also surprises with the vibrancy in each of the characters.

'Open Tee Bioscope' is worth a watch if you grew up in Kolkata during the 80's and 90's. It is not a film, rather some sort of time travel that takes you back to your sweet childhood days. The story sees Fowara (Riddhi Sen) returning to his north Kolkata home after he was expelled from the school hostel, only to make new friends and enjoy the sweetest time of his life. But life eventually turns on its head following a series of incidents, only to get back into groove towards the end. Above all, this film beautifully explores the troubled days of every Bengali teenage boy while growing up in a metro city.

This rom-com starring Ritwick Chakraborty and Sohini Sarkar in the lead presents a detailed version of being in a relationship – before and after marriage. Viewers get to know a modern-day couple’s perspective about marital life. The story has a humorous take on the situations that arise in their relationship. It also shows an emotional approach of dealing with them.

Truly one of the best things Bengali cinema has witnessed in recent times is this particular movie. The narrative carefully builds up with every minutest detail thoroughly checked and continues till the end. The simple storyline revolves around a haunted mansion in Kolkata. The characters and their display by excellent actors with amazing one-liners turn out to be the essence of this movie. The cinematography, editing, and its simple presentation are the USP. The story carefully deals with the adverse effects of an alarming rise of multiplexes and high-rise buildings. The ghosts are here used as a metaphor. Replace them with the common man, the struggling middle class of the society and you would get to see the actual message hidden inside the comic elements.

‘Haami’ centers on the burning issues that plague the younger generation today exploring a modern retelling of the student-teacher relationship in metro city schools these days. Directed by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee, it shows how minor issues are often blown up by overly concerned parents and suspicious school authorities. An innocent kiss between two cute kids fuels a whirlwind of controversies which reflect recent disturbing incidents in schools. Gargi Roychoudhury here plays the cute little Bhutu’s mother, a woman who seems to be a live wire, and aggressively protective of her family. She is even fearless in proving her rights. It’s a brilliantly written character, and the actress just excelled for the part. Her diluted expressions, witty dialogues, funny antics; all of these portrays the ultimate middle-class motherhood in a simple way.