Making a film that stays away from box office trends and masala films is a very risky endeavor. Therefore, we must commend Sudipto Sen, who has consistently created heart-wrenching films on such subjects. Sudipto’s last film, Kerala Story, grossed over 300 crore rupees at the box office and received immense praise from critics and audiences. It’s a different matter that he has often faced criticism from fundamentalists and even death threats.
Now, let’s talk about his new film, Charak, a film based on a subject that proved difficult for the makers to get cleared by the censors. Sudipto provided the censor committee with documents and other records related to his research on the film’s story. Only then did the committee clear the film with an adult certificate. The film’s story revolves around the Charak Festival, which has been celebrated for over a thousand years in eastern India, including Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand, as well as parts of southern India. Even today, this festival is celebrated on a grand scale every year between March 15th and May 15th.
The Charak Festival is associated with the worship of Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva. It is said that during this time, the gods and goddesses descend to earth to fulfill the wishes of their devotees. On the other hand, the other side of this festival is linked to Tantric practices, Aghori rituals, and blind faith. Even today, the evil practice of sacrifice during this festival persists. Some, in their quest to fulfill their desires, are caught in the trap of superstition, sacrificing young children.
Story Plot:
In a small village surrounded by high mountains and dense forests, everyone is busy preparing for the festival. Despite being extremely poor, most villagers spend their evenings drinking and playing cards, spending a portion of their earnings on this. Many Aghoris from far and wide have also camped here for the Charak festival. Two friends studying in the village’s small school are also important characters in this story. The village police station inspector and his writer wife have returned to their village after a study tour in the city. Even after twelve years of marriage, they have no children. The inspector husband also harbors a dream of becoming a father during this Charak festival. Meanwhile, two children from the village are kidnapped, and then something happens that disturbs everyone.
Overall
If you believe that conservative and superstitious people are only illiterate and remote, the film’s climax shatters that myth. The film’s lead pair, Anjali Patil (writer) and Sahidur Rahman (police inspector), are stellar. Subrata Dutta and Navneesh, among other actors, have brought their characters to life. Shot not on a studio set but in a village in West Bengal, this film will 100% meet the expectations of viewers who go to the cinema not for fun but for the reality of society. So, Charak is for you.
