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DURGESHGORER GUPTODHON MOVIE REVIEW

Story: Sonada (Abir), Abir (Arjun) and Jhinuk (Ishaa) visit the Debroy household during Durga Puja only to stumble upon on a treasure hunt that leads them to the fortune hidden in the family’s old ancestral mansion, Durgeshgor.

Review: Durgeshgorer Guptodhon is, above all, a two-hour-long lesson on Bengal’s rich history and traditions. But this coin, like any other, has two sides. On one side, it’s a refresher course in Bengal’s history, traditional values and customs, giving it a strong documentary feel. And on the other, there’s the thrill of the treasure hunt. But a bit more of that thrill in the first half would have definitely made it a better watch. It seems to take too long to pick up pace, making the first half a bit of a drag.
But apart from the obvious depth of research behind the script, the film definitely earns additional brownie points for the visuals and the music, which is an integral part of the treasure hunt. It’s the songs and the lyrics that keep unveiling the clues that guide Sonada and team towards the treasure hidden in Durgeshgor. The visuals have a rustic rural charm that we greatly miss amidst the humdrum of city life. Even the depiction of Durga Puja in the Debroy household has been kept to the bare necessities, highlighting only the parts which are relevant to the storyline. Had the focus been more on this aspect of the celebrations, even the second half would have been slowed down beyond repair. It’s also apparent that a lot of research has gone into choosing the right locations and creating the right clues. But the visual effects-laced scene in which Arjun dives into a village pond to find a clue could have been a bit more realistic. No, there’s nothing wrong with the effects. It’s the duration for which Arjun aka Abir, someone who has recently learnt how to swim, holds his breath that makes it a bit unbelievable. A few seconds more and he could have beaten a rookie free diver! Moreover, he seems to be breathing normally underwater. No bubbles flow out of his mouth or nostrils, which seems a bit unnatural. Even the visibility inside the water, and that too in the evening, is a tad unrealistic.
Coming to performances, there’s absolutely nothing off kilter. All characters, especially Kaushik Sen and Kharaj Mukherjee, absolutely rock their roles. Yes, there’s a gap in the script vis-à-vis Kaushik’s character that stays that way till the end, but that doesn’t take anything away from his performance. It’s a scripting flaw that obviously arose when the writer tried too hard to confuse the audience. It does succeed, but there’s no explanation for it — Kaushik’s interaction with a servant — till the end, making that detour redundant.
Overall, Durgeshgorer Guptodhon has managed to stay true to its genre and its first instalment, Guptodhoner Sondhane, and definitely makes for a good watch. Abir’s (Arjun) love for food gives us enough reasons to smile, if not laugh, all along the film. So, go ahead and put it on your weekend watchlist. It will definitely be an entertaining experience.