GOURAV KUMAR GHOSH

I completed watching the first psychological horror film of India, Mahal (1949). The film of Kamal Amrohi, which catapulted the careers of actress Madhubala and playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, is eerily satisfying to watch and has ambiguities which show the rawness of the plot itself. The song "Ayega Aane Wala" became a trendsetter, influencing generations of Indian horror cinemas to carry a haunting yet soothing title track. The legendary Ashok Kumar's mental upheaval is portrayed as vaguely as is the aura of the entire "Mahal". The overall movie seems to be stretchy but the final climax turns the table and makes the audience wonder the skill of Amrohi's direction. Although the film doesn’t explain on the existence of supernatural or the haunting coincidence of rebirth, I feel the taste of this dangling doubt leaves a lasting mark on its legacy which went on to inspire classics like Madhumati, Bees Saal Baad, Karz or Om Shanti Om. Lastly, I observed the prehistoric form of horror storytelling, aptly commendable for the filmmaking of 1949. The takeaway from this movie is definitely the absurdism of storytelling, which thins the line between natural and supernatural, and questions the sanity and extent of human love.

Grave of the Fireflies I've had it on my watchlist for a long time. As an anime enthusiast, I became aware of Ghibli films long ago, but I couldn't find the time to watch them. Thankfully, the recent surge in AI-generated Ghibli image trends brought this treasure trove. So I fixed my mind, picked up "Grave of the Fireflies" and started watching it... It has been an hour and a half. The credits roll, and the movie ends. I got up and went for a shower. As the water fell on my face, I closed my eyes to question life. Does hunger override all human emotions? Is it so powerful that all philosophy lies flat in front of it? Why is there war at all? The soothing water swept across my face. The sunlight sparkled off the tiny water droplets. In that illusion, I saw the crying face of Setsuko... calling out Seita, while clinging to that ragdoll of hers. I panicked. The emotions that were trying to reason forgot all of it and rolled down my cheeks. The warm tears mixed with the cold shower, while my inside was illuminated with the light of a thousand fireflies. This movie is an experience, a viewpoint of life that shakes your conscience and leaves you to sulk for hours. The worst part: at one point, tears dry, and you cry without tears. "Seita...Seita...???" An innocent reckoning pierces through your heart and tears all rosy dreams of reality... and yet the music soothes that broken soul, inspiring it to embrace life. A lot has been said about its brilliant direction and storytelling. The metaphors of bombs and fireflies, etc., make the movie unforgettable. Especially the ending, which was so raw and natural that you will not realize when you started crying. It's a binding experience and lasts 90 minutes. Ghibli Studios is known for its brilliance. But when a true story of two siblings hits you with the rhetorical question of hunger and life...I doubt whether you will get it with a straight face. Now leave me alone. I wish to be alone in the darkness, with my fireflies..... By: Gourav Kumar Ghosh

It is again a laurel for Feluda. A case which was very simple at the beginning but soon gt it's TRUE color after the Murder and theft of Dr Munshi and his 'pandulipi' . The movie is worth watching. The role of Jatayu in the end finishes the drama quite nicely.

It's a great film on the cruelty of British Empire durimg the Imperial rule of Britain over India. It really shakes a person from within to jump and say, " WE CAN, WE WILL ". The message is of deliberation and determination, a thought over self-pride and a sad tale on broken love. Enjoy.

A Really MARVELlous Movie !!!!

It's a heart-warming inspirational movie!!! Kudos 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Complete justice for a Sunday show. Simply fantastic, stuffed with funny scenes and a binding story......It's a Great Movie for all age groups of people.

The most phenomenal comedy movie of bollywood which never gets old even if you watch it 10 times ( I have watched it over 20+ times ) !!! Superb acting of both Utpal Dutt and Amol Palekar makes this movie engaging right from the start of the movie till the very end. You must watch it if you really want to know the rich comic timing India had during 1970s.