Sandhya Deeper Sikha

Even though the storyline of "Sandhya Deeper Shikha" is a bit over dramatic as it depicts the odyssey of a narcissistic and neurotic woman under the spell of a Freudian thanatos (death wish)complex, it's a film worth watching, nay worth staring at for ever! Admittedly, we never quite get to see the actual romantic relationship with her lover husband (played by the seasoned actor Bikash Roy); on the other hand, we get glimpses of her innocent coquetry with the wooden and homely Tarun (played by the producer of the film Dilip Mukhopadhyay) but never with the handsome and smart Captain Aftab (played by the inimitable Anil Chattopadhyay to the hilt). But superseding all weaknesses and fault lines of the film and towering over them we see the magnificent (truly MAGNIFICO) and superbly beautiful Jayanti (played by Suchitra Sen), literally the princess charming of femininity. I have never seen such a gorgeous combination of grandeur and gravitas--Sen's stature and visage in the movie cry out loud for justified (but sadly overlooked) acclaim as too much of a woman--an amalgam of the Urvasi and the Uma of our imagination. I get riveted on her looks in the film which I have seen at least more than fifty times in the privacy of my home. There will be another Ava Gardner, Aishwarya Rai, or Lauren Bacall, or Grace Kelly, or even another Elizabeth Taylor, but Boy! never another Suchitra Sen, a beautiful and intelligent looking human being whose maker must have fallen flat at her feet upon beholding his creation!

When people discuss about Suchitra Sen, the glamour queen; it's expected that not many would mention this film. But even when they talk about Sen, the performer; they still completely forget this one. And this is really unfair!

I have never been a fan of old serious Bengali films; because they were too serious to be palatable, devoid of any lighthearted entertainment. But this venture was a brilliant exception. The film is a tale of a widow struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband in the Indo-China war. As expected the film is very serious; but one is still thoroughly engaged from start-to-end. And the full credit for that must go to Mrs.Sen. It's her powerful portrayal as the woman who has lost all interest in life, that makes the viewer really 'feel' her pain. She completely carries this film on her broad shoulders.

Others like Bikash Roy, Dileep Mukherjee and Anil Chatterjee play the supporting role to the hilt. The 2nd half of the film moves away from a predictable path and really surprises in the end.

The other striking aspect of the film is its wide canvas. Compared to all other films till the 60's, which were either filmed in Kolkata or the suburbs; this film is extensively shot across Delhi, Agra and possibly Srinagar. This was a refreshing change from the monotony of locales in old Bengali films. Even the picture quality seems to be of the 70's standard.

The film was a box-office hit; which is a testimony to the star-power of the now-departed Mrs.Sen. But in spite of that why the film has been erased from the public consciousness, is a baffling mystery!

But as far I am concerned, the 'flame' will continue to burn brightly forever in my memory.