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Monday, November 16, 2015

Nidhiram Sardar - Bengali Arsene Lupin

I saw this movie yesterday after years. I remembered the basic story but wanted to watch it again.

This was a movie that was directed by Rabi Ghosh. As Rabi had acted in a many Satyajit Ray movies, I had expected some of that sensibility in this.

A bit of background. Arsene Lupin in a French Thief. Like Robin Hood, he robs from the rich only. Unlike Hood, he steals for fun, and not to help the poor.

Here Nidhiram does help the poor - one instance is shown of the character dropping envelopes of cash in houses.

The suspense never got built and actors like Aparna Sen and Utpal Dutt were wasted. Some action would have been great.

Aparna Sen did not have much to do except act scared and confused. Nandita Bose, who had left Bengali films to work in Malayalam films in the 70s, had a bigger role than the main lead. And all she did was dance away - literally in songs that were not needed.

Overall, nice watch for Uttam Kumar (who also is not there in most of the film) , Utpal Dutt and Ajitesh Banerjee.

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