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My imperfect grasp of the language
prevents me from correctly interpreting the word. Or maybe there is
no correct interpretation required,this is not about arriving at the
inference,this is about living the essence. Moner Manush(2010), a
movie which I reluctantly,then apprehensively,then admiringly and
finally silently watched. Or maybe lived.
Yes,it was an experience. Well,most
movies are. This was a rare experience. Because one was not exactly
reacting to the visuals,it was the vibrations which took the center
stage here. Thus, even if the meaning of the dialogues sometimes
eluded me, their significance could be felt.
However,I still don't know most of the
things about the movies-the story,the setting,the characters still
remain beyond my reach. Lalon Fakhir remains as alien to me as he did
before the movie. I don't relate to most of his
songs,methods,philosophy. Yet, the only thing which resonated with me
was his yearnings as a seeker. His quest to find the one within,to
have ITs revelation. And these aspirations were so pure in its
essence,that it could not remain confined to the medium it was using
for expression. Thus, Moner Manush turned out to be more than a
movie. This represented something more subtle,something more sublime.
Yet it met the requirements of a good piece of art-technically and
beyond. So,the direction,setting,cinematography all contributed in
creating an aura for this unique experience to manifest.
The most lasting memory of the movie is
the climax,when with a strange tinge of disappointment and
determination aging Lalan says- “I have not seen Him yet,hope to do
so in this lifetime” And with a steady gaze ahead he breaks into a
song and a dance, not brooding about the unattained goal but
celebrating the quest.
Strangely days after I saw the movie, I
heard Prosenjit say in an interview that this scene was his most
special and rare because he had no recollection of the acting process
at this moment. He admits to have been seized by ecstasy which just
translated into every gesture he exhibited. Now,that reassures me
that this is definitely not an ordinary movie or actor!
I sincerely hope that it is not my bias
for Prosenjit that makes me so moved by his performance. Well,he
spoke a lot about his preparations for the role,the hardships and the
gains of his self imposed solitude. All of it would have rung hollow
had it not translated on screen. But mesmerized is the word to
describe his performance. And I come to realize that this is not
merely about body-language or voice modulation. Any technical actor
could have managed that. There is something more here which is very
tough to lay your hands upon. This is something between him and his
Moner Manush,so no interference required!
Nevertheless,I had never looked at
acting being such a powerful medium to reach within. Poetries did
that,music does that,but can seeing someone act also give you that
one moment of exaltation.That one moment when all mental preferences
vanish and you just stare at THAT. Strangely I found myself uttering,
innumerable times during the movie- “This can't be-how did he just
do that” when I saw those eyes suddenly flashing inexplicable
depth,or unattainable silence or even unbearable turmoil. How can I be seeing a sadhak and not an actor??
Well, difficult to account for all these,but I guess it was more like-He goes
within-you go within-so simple yet so confound!
And did I not just hear some people justify passionately that movies are made just to entertain. Not so sure!
