Of shattered bliss...

Shoma (L) and Shimul in Nondito Norok-e

The movie follows the fortunes of a suburban middle class family. The parents along with their two sons and daughters (Rabeya, Khoka, Montu and Runu) live a quiet life. They are not affluent but glimpses of joy create an illusion of bliss. A friend of the father, fondly known as "Master Chacha" to the children, lives with them.

As the siblings grow up, the mother realises that her eldest daughter Rabeya is mentally challenged. Although way past adolescence, Rabeya has not grown out of her playful, naïve years of childhood. Unaware of the social norms, she is often reproached by her concerned mother. Khoka excels in academics.

A well off family moves into the house across the road. Rabeya soon gets acquainted with her neighbour, Haroon. However, Haroon's mother sees an ulterior motive and accuses Rabeya's mother of trying to fix a match between Haroon and her "deranged" daughter. The consequence: Rabeya is locked in a room for days.

Haroon gets married to a bride chosen by his mother. Meanwhile, it becomes apparent that Rabeya has conceived. Afraid of the stigma attached to unwed motherhood, Rabeya's parents call in a local midwife. Rabeya dies from excessive bleeding in the process of an abortion. Montu realises who has taken advantage of his mentally challenged sister, kills the culprit and is sentenced to death by the court. Thus the illusion of "bliss" of an average family is shattered.

The plot and perspective of the movie are stimulating. The set, attire and props suggest that the movie is set in the late '70s or early '80s, when Ahmed wrote the story. However, there were some contradictory elements, such as the house that Haroon's family moves into. Some scenes were executed impressively; like the court scene beginning and ending with a noisy old fan.

The high point of the movie: newcomer Shoma. This debutant shows promise in the role of Rabeya. Her portrayal of the mentally challenged character is not so subtle at times; regardless she has done a splendid job. Ferdous did not have much to do. Litu Anam does a commendable job at underplaying the character of an enraged young man. Seasoned actor, Afroza Banu as Rabeya's mother fits the bill to the hilt.

The background music by Emon Shaha is impressive. The Nazrul song Hey Madinabashi by Sadya Afreen Mallick, Tagore song Aji jhorojhoro mukhoro badoro din-e and songs by Hemanta Mukhupadhyay have certainly added flair to the movie. However, Rabeya belting out a complex ghazal by Nazrul after hearing it just once was not digestible.

All in all, the movie has the potential to attract a "thinking" audience and should be considered as a breath of fresh air in the barrage of movies that fail to make the grade.