Introduction –
One of the many creative hats that Satyajit Ray wore apart from film making and illustration is “Short Story” writer. Not many know that he was also into Robots, Androids, Alien and ET stuff. Anukul, unarguably one of his best shorts belongs to this genre. The original story is quite different from the cinematic version. To be honest, we loved Sujoy Ghosh’s interpretation. He’s tweaked the story with some intuitive shots, conversations and twists, altering it from a simple, straightforward narrative to a clash of relationships, ever changing emotional dynamics and flawed human virtues all rolled into one sinister conspiracy.
Synopsis –
The film begins with Nikunj Babu ( Saurabh Shukla ) about to sign a deal. He’s hiring an Android, a human robot instead of a human being to perform his household chores as he is unmarried. Before parting, the sales lady from the company located in Chowringhee warns him that Anukul, the robot, is highly sensitive to physical abuse, and if someone threatens him, he will instantly turn hostile and inflict the abuser with a high voltage shock. Happy at having found a servant who is highly knowledgeable, intelligent and doesn’t sleep, Nikunj Babu takes him home.
Nikunj Babu believes Anukul is an amazing Humanoid
Anukul even debates on Geeta, which is Nikunj Babu’s favorite subject as he is a Hindi teacher. At the end of the debate, Anukul asks Nikunj Babu if Pandavas and Kauravas both fought for Dharma, and as a part of their duty then who was correct. How did humans choose the right side? Nikunj Babu tells him that in such a situation we listen to our hearts. He then taps his own heart to make his point relevant.
In the subsequent weeks, Nikunj Babu’s life is hit by a couple of misfortunes. He’s fired from his job and his cousin brother Ratan ( Kharaj Mukherjee ), completely sloshed, walks into his house and tells him that their rich Uncle Nibaran is dead. He also tells Nikunj Babu that their Uncle’s will mention Ratan as the sole beneficiary. Nikunj Babu says that he needs to get ready and pay his last respects. Ratan tells Nikunj Babu why bother with Nibaran Uncle’s funeral when the old man offered him nothing after his death. Nikunj Babu insists and goes to his room to change. He also warns Ratan to respect Anukul because his cousin has the habit of ill-treating and abusing robots.
Watch Anukul to know the climax.
Analysis –
Comparison with the Original Satyajit Ray Story
As mentioned above, the original story lacks depth which Director Sujoy Ghosh through his perspective and understanding has tweaked remarkably well. While the preceding story doesn’t mention anything about Nikunj Babu’s cousin, in Anukul, Ratan plays a pivotal role. What impressed us apart from the fresh interpretation are the locales, especially Nikunj Babu’s house.
Characterization is spot on. One feels connected with Anukul ( Parambrata Chatterjee ) in a mechanical way. Maybe it is because of his excellent expressions and attire or maybe because of the cinematography. Either way, Anukul gives a feeling of being a robot and not a human being in spite of looking like one. Dialogs are crisp, Ratan’s performance inspiring while Suarabh Shukla has once again proved why he is the king when it comes to playing character roles.
2017 Sujoy Ghosh Satyajit Ray 22 Minutes YouTube | Boundscript Motion Pictures