‘Abar Aranye’: A continuation you can't miss

How often do you watch a movie and wonder about the fate of its characters? Do you ponder the new relationships that have sprouted or worry about unfortunate events? If you do, then "Abar Aranye" is the perfect movie for you.

This Indian Bengali-language drama film, directed by Goutam Ghose, revisits the beloved characters from Satyajit Ray's legendary film, "Aranyer Din Ratri". The storyline starts thirty years later and narrates the lives of the characters as they have aged. Ashim, Sanjoy, Harinath, and Aparna are now elderly, and Shekhar has passed away. The story begins when the friends decide to embark on another trip, this time at the request of Ashim and Aparna's daughter, Amrita.

Snippet from "Aranyer Din Ratri". Photo: Collected

The movie certainly hits all the right notes of nostalgia. Having Soumitra Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore, Subhendu Chatterjee and Samit Bhanja in their previous characters is indeed a treat. The ensemble cast also includes Roopa Ganguly, Tabu, Saswata Chatterjee and Jisshu Sengupta. This stellar cast delivers outstanding performances, infusing the film with authenticity and the feeling of a genuine friends' reunion.

This authenticity owes much to the meticulous attention to detail in the filmmaking. Small moments from the trip, such as snacking on chips and biscuits on the road or lighting cigarettes during a political discussion, which are commonplace during friends' outings, are placed with perfect nonchalance. These subtle moments portray the true genius behind the creation of what seems like a simple movie.

Photo: Collected

The movie immerses you in the forest environment with its vivid sounds and colours and apt cinematography.  It captures the joy and anticipation of venturing into the wilderness– from the tea gardens to the mountainous streams, all delicately caught on camera.

Snippet from "Abar Aranye". Photo: Collected

However, the core message of the original movie remains just as relevant here. Despite their talks of justice and politics, of rights and liberties, the men in the group can't shed their inherent motives. In fact, Their journey into the forest and their interaction with its inhabitants fail to evoke sensitivity, and their typical behaviour persists.

With its continued relevance and critical insights, combined with a nostalgic backdrop and an outstanding cast, "Abar Aranye" is a cinematic gem that you simply cannot afford to miss.