REVIEW: Prosenjit Starrer Nirontor Mainly Pays A Poignant Tribute To The Human Experience

The Bengali drama Nirontor, starring the veteran actor Prosenjit along with stellar names like Ankita Majhi and Satyam Bhattacharya, is the latest film on the ZEE5 platform to be stirring our souls with its sensitive and evocative portrayal of life as we know it. Nirontor makes an indelible mark as director Chandrasish Ray’s first film– something that surprises you most pleasantly after watching it! 

Biplab is characteristically always composed and tries to be jovial with the more- sullen Bhaskar. Phone signal is almost non-existent in the area that they are staying. Cut off from the rest of their families and friends back home, Biplab and Bhaskar have only each other for company. They slowly warm up to each other. Bhaskar disapproves of Biplab’s affinity to alcohol, but enjoys sharing a drink with him at night. Biplab doesn’t think much of Bhaskar’s taste for pork, but buys him pork momos for dinner. The two open up to each other, and the natural course of their conversation leads them to share some of their most personal matters with each other.

A tragic twist of fate makes Biplab return to his home in the city to his wife Jonaki (Ankita Majhi). He is deeply shaken inside, but never visibly so. His emotions are underplayed throughout and borders on stoicism– this is typical of Biplab. The subtlety and sensitivity that Prosenjit demonstrates while playing this character is phenomenal in its conviction.

Biplab’s relationship with his wife, who suffers from debilitating depression, is poignantly brought to life by both the actors. Ankita Majhi’s Jonaki is losing a battle to the crippling blues, but she commands a quiet presence through it which will not fail to make its impact on you. Prosenjit’s arresting portrayal of Biplab here as a husband who perseveres in his love despite the most challenging circumstances, will stay with you for days.

The cinematography in Nirontor is also utterly spectacular with stunning scenes set against the lush hills of North Bengal.

Music director Avijit Kundu takes the film to an entirely different level with a brilliantly curated soundtrack. Each piece of sound and song captures the essence of the place and people that it is playing for. Indeed, the music is woven masterfully into the film and lends a layer of depth and emotion that serves to make Nirontor as astoundingly moving as it is. At the end of the film, Biplab coaxes Jonaki into singing a Kajrigeet that he loved listening to in happier times. As she gives in and starts singing the first few notes of the song BarsanLagiBadarirya, shivers run down your spine. Her soulful voice haunts you long after the film is over, and reminds you of life’s impermanence and beauty yet again in Nirontor— feeling like a new awakening altogether. Stream it on ZEE5.com