Aparajito

Aparajito is a Bengali film directed by the world-renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray. It is the second installment in the Apu Trilogy, a series of three films that chronicle the life of its protagonist, Apu, from childhood to adulthood. The movie was released in 1956 and is based on the novel "Aparajito" by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay.

The storyline of Aparajito continues from where the first film, Pather Panchali, left off. The movie opens with Apu's family leaving their rural village and moving to the city of Varanasi. The family hopes that they will have a better life in the city, and Apu's father, Harihar, has secured a job as a priest. The family adjusts to their new life in the city, and Apu begins to attend school.

As Apu grows up, he becomes more independent and distant from his mother, Sarbajaya. He develops an interest in his studies and science and dreams of becoming a scientist. However, his academic pursuits and increasing sense of independence drive a wedge between him and his mother, who becomes more overprotective and anxious about their family's future.

Despite his mother's fears, Apu excels in his studies and secures a scholarship to study in Calcutta. However, tragedy strikes the family when Harihar falls ill and dies while on a trip to their old village. Apu, who was away at school at the time, rushes home to find his mother alone and struggling to make ends meet. In a moment of desperation, Sarbajaya asks Apu to abandon his studies and return to work as a priest to support them.

Aparajito explores themes of tradition and modernity, family and individuality, and the tension between the pursuit of education and the demands of familial obligation. The film is a poignant and moving portrayal of Apu's coming-of-age, as he navigates the complexities of his own desires and the expectations placed on him by his family and society.

Satyajit Ray's expert direction and storytelling skill are evident in every frame of Aparajito. The movie's cinematography captures the beauty of Varanasi and Calcutta, and the vivid details of both the natural and human-made world are rendered with sensitivity and nuance. The performances of the cast, especially Pinaki Sengupta as Apu, are flawless, and their emotional depth contributes to the film's lasting impact.

Aparajito resonates because it captures the universality of the human experience, as well as the particularities of Indian culture and tradition. It is a movie that speaks to the human heart and mind, exploring the interior lives of its characters and the complexity of the choices they make. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves cinema and appreciates its potential to connect us to ourselves and to others.