It is a 2010 Indian- Japanese drama directed by Aparna Sen. It stars Rahul Bose, Raima Sen,Moushumi Chatterjee & the Japanese actress Chigusa Takaku. Story by Kunal Basu.
A young mathematics teacher in a village marries his japanese pen friend over letters & remains true & loyal to her throughout his life, never actually meeting her. Rahul Bose has lived his role. When he hears that hse is sick he goes from Ayurvedic, Unani, homeopathic to his allopathy friend.
While finding her aliment running from post to pillar, the patient is in japan & he is running around from his village to the doctors here! She is also religiously taking those medicines. Visiting her in Japan is out of question, due to financial constraints but the letters are the solace.
He has his Maasi, Moushumi & she has her sick mother. Her mother passes away later. She falls sick & shifts to her brother’s in Yokohama. She sends her new address. What we wonder about is the simplicity of living. The patience they had, the long wait to get the letter.
Maasi had tried to bring a ‘Bahu’ but he declares he is married. Here I was reminded of ‘Parineeta’ where the function doesn’t take place but their commitment is lifelong! Surprisingly she accepts it. He has a silver ring sent by Miyagi, his wife & he gives her a Bengali sari & bangles. He also tells her to put vermillion in the parting of her hair.
The girl who his massi had brought, gets married & loses her husband early. Massi brings her to their house along with her young son, Paltu. The kites sent by Miyagi are then used for the kite festival. It brings Snehamoy & Paltu closer.
After discovering that Miyagi suffers from cancer he is heartbroken. He comes back from the doctor in the raging storm, wet to his skin. He falls sick & succumbs to pneumonia. Miyagi recovers & visits India. She is wearing the borderless white sari, shaven head shows up at his place.
Only a Bengali director can give life to a story which is just out of this world. Everyone has chipped in & brought us a beautiful story. Raima Sen as the widow, Sandhya has showed restraint. As the hapless mother of the smart kid she just blends in so well.
In the glam world of Bollywood how do they feel ?? I assume that is the reason all the Bengali actors keep on working in their regional films to get satisfaction. The kind of roles they have are mostly unthinkable in Hindi.
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