Ranikuthir Baki Itihash: A visual delight

Poppy and Ferdous in Ranikuthir Baki Itihash

Samia makes no qualms about the genre of the movie: Ranikuthir Baki Itihash is an out and out mainstream movie. However, it stands out for a number of reasons. Unfortunately, nowadays, when one hears the terminology "commercial Bangla film", the image or perception attached is not a very positive one. Over the years, mainstream Bangla films have become devoid of aesthetic sense and good old fashion family-oriented entertainment (Ajker Hitler, Premik Rangbaj, Swami Chhintai -- the titles suggest all).

Thanks to Samia's background (She has worked as a film editor for BBC London for five years) and an eye for aesthetics, Ranikuthir...has turned out to be a visual delight.

The murder-mystery follows a newly-wed couple Momo and Rudro, who move to an old mansion in a mufassil town. All is going well until Momo starts having visions; as if she has lived in the mansion before. Soon, the sense of déjà vu becomes overpowering and Momo is convinced a woman was murdered in the mansion years ago. Incidentally, she also comes to know that her parents used to live in the same house before her mother supposedly eloped and her father became mentally imbalanced in grief.

Torn between pressure from close ones to "let the unpleasant past be" and perpetual curiosity, Momo uncovers a truth that completely changes her perception of her family history.

The most impressive aspect of this film is the location and cinematography. The old Nawab Manzil at Tangail provides a stunning setting. Seasoned cinematographer Maksudul Bari deserves applause for providing extraordinary imagery of the ordinary. The quintessential 'lovers prancing around a huge tree', the Kashbon, a deshi boat with a colourful sail gliding down some narrow river -- all have the potential to mesmerise the cine-goer who has been alienated from mainstream Bangla movies.

Special attention to costumes is noticeable. Urban-hip outfits designed by Monidipa Dasgupta and Chandana Dewan give the characters identities that the audience can relate to. However, Bollywood-ish see-through, glittery items used in certain scenes could have been avoided.

Poppy as the 'damsel in dilemma', Momo, is refreshing. Though at times, she seems to be stuck in the mainstream moviestar archetype, her silent expressions are eloquent. Saying that the actress has never looked more ravishing would not be an overstatement. Even in the song sequences that one might confuse for a saree commercial, the tall actress looks at ease. Ferdous as her husband, Rudro, does not have much to do except for looking concerned and he does it well. Veteran actor Alamgir in a crucial role and Tariq Anam Khan doing a cameo are credible.

Music director SI Tutul provides two catchy numbers (specifically Bhalo lagey) rendered by Samina and Asif.

The movie does dawdle at points and the 'killer' can be easily guessed but Samia does come up with a fantastic surprise in the end that is sure to leave the audience content.