The Stranger (1991)
9/10
Legend Satyajit Ray says good bye with an intelligent, thoughtful and intellectual Bengali Masterpiece for Pan India audience.
14 November 2020
Agantuk (1991) : Brief Review -

Legend Satyajit Ray says good bye with an intelligent, thoughtful and intellectual Bengali Masterpiece for Pan India audience. The words fall short to praise the legend but one must speak his heart out after seeing something incredible in Indian Cinema. I never expected that Satyajit Ray would deliver an intellectual film in audience friendly mainstream genre and then i confronted Agantuk to change my mind. The plot is very familiar to every Indian as it deals with 'Atithi devo bhav' tradition and how people behaves after having an unwanted and unknown guest at home. This plot is very ordinary or too decent i would say for the standard of Mr. Ray but then he's Legend Mr. Ray for a reason. He plants his intellectual quarrels, intelligent conversations, thought provoking topics and warm human sentiments in this ordinary story to make it Extraordinary. Agantuk is way ahead of it's time and even Today in 2020 when i watched the film i can say the same. I meant to say maybe i can say the same when i am about to die, it's that much Timelessly ahead. Agantuk (The Strenger) tells a story of a decent family who recieves an unknown and unwanted guest during pooja festivals in the city. Early suspicion is cleaned up but then doubtful behaviour of famil and highly intellectual thoughts of the the guest mismatch to make his visit turn ugly. During the 120 minutes narrative Agantuk literally fills you with thoughtful ideas about the world and questions your soul that how did you even unnotice these things happening around you for years. Afterall you are oart of this society and yet you know nothing subtle about it. Those religious and Ethical learning lessons coming in most simple way possible are contrary to Satyajit Ray's articstic and intricate storytelling style. Utpal Dutt, Mamata Shankar, Deepankar De and child artist Bikram Bhattacharya everyone in the film is at peak in natural acting. Lots of credit for it goes to the cinematography which captures thier face expressions nicely. Like other Satyajit Ray classics Agantuk is not intricate or difficult film to understand, it is it in my knowledge the most simplest gem of cinema by Ray but only if your mind is even capable to understand those thoughts provoking and poignant dialogues about civilization. Overall, A Masterpiece that must be there in Top 5 Films of 90s Decade.

RATING - 9/10*
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