Film: “The Great Indian Butterfly”
Writer/Director: “Sarthak DasGupta”
Actors: “Sandhya Mridul”, “Aamir Bashir”, “Koel Purie”
The first thing that needs to be said about The Great Indian Butterfly is that is a really different movie… very unlike anything you’ve seen before. Sarthak DasGupta presents a week in the life of a married couple on vacation, both corporate slaves drained by hectic work schedules and tight deadlines, aching to breathe easy for seven days.
Sarthak DasGupta has a clear story and no unbelievable circumstances or odd characters jumping in the way. A husband and wife used to quarreling all the time miss their flight to Goa and choose to go by road instead. Bickering throughout the journey, the tension in their relationship builds up till they reach Goa, and we find out their sex life is dead.
Aamir Bashir plays the husband who has been waiting for the holiday not just to relax, but to also look for and find a special kind of butterfly in a certain valley. This butterfly is supposed to bring peace, love, happiness and luck. Aamir Bashir looks unhappy for most part, but there is a reason for it and it becomes obvious towards the end.
Sandhya Mridul plays the wife who’s being harrowed by phone calls from work that keep her from enjoying the vacation. She finds out she’s pregnant because of a lovemaking session she had with her husband quite awhile back, and isn’t sure if she wants the baby as she’d rather get to where she wants in her career.
Koel Purie plays Aamir Bashir’s ex-girlfriend who is still in touch with him, much to his wife’s displeasure. Koel Purie looks good but sounds funny and that’s okay. Not okay with Sandhya Mridul at all, especially when she overhears a phone conversation between Aamir and Koel.
The Great Indian Butterfly does not boast of great cinematography despite having been shot in Goa, and even the screenplay is to the point. Neither does it attempt to titillate in any way – it could easily have, with the ‘A’ certificate. Instead, The Great Indian Butterfly is an unhurried relationship drama, an art house film worth two hours of your time.
Sarthak DasGupta gives you quality offbeat cinema without cheese and corn. Let’s give Sarthak DasGupta the respect due.
RATING: 3/5
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