Oskar

Directed by Partha Sarathi Manna and released in 2018, Oskar is a unique, vibrant, and fascinating Bengali comedy film that leaves audiences laughing and pondering simultaneously. The film stars Aparajita Adhya, Deep Basu, and Saheb Bhattacharjee, who deliver stellar performances, contributing significantly to the enriched cinematic experience of the viewers.

"Oskar" refers to the most coveted award in cinema, the Oscars. In a sense, the film is a clever satire on the stereotyped ambitions of the middle-class people who blindly dream of getting honored on global platforms without fully understanding what it takes to achieve such glory. However, deep down, the movie is all about heart, love, and the beauty of common aspirations. It highlights the story of ordinary characters with extraordinary dreams, drawing the audience into their life journey, experiences, and the chaos that ensues.

The main character is a young, ambitious man, named Patrick (Saheb Bhattacharjee), who is a passionate theater artist. Patrick's life takes an interesting turn when he shifts to a new town and meets Deep Basu, his peculiar neighbor obsessed with Hollywood films and dreams of winning an Oscar. Their unique friendship unfolds multiple hilarious situations, setting the comical grounding for the film.

Aparajita Adhya plays an influential role as Patrick's mother. A mother-son relationship is shown in a new light where the mother's character is extremely supportive of her son's dream of making it big in the theater world. She depicts a modern-day mother who evolves with the changing era, breaking the stereotype of a traditional concerned and restrictive mother.

Sprinkled with rib-tickling comedy, the film also deftly explores human emotions, aspirations, and relationships. The complex yet impactful dialogues and scenes highlight the societal pressure on individuals to fulfill ambitious and sometimes unrealistic dreams. At the same time, the movie manages to underline that no dream is small or insignificant. The movie brings forth the message- one must dream for the joy of dreaming rather than the compulsion of achieving.

A quality that makes Oskar stand apart from regular films is its exceptional utilization of theater as a pivotal plot point. The movie is filled with several theatrical elements interspersed with cinematic techniques. Oskar explores the lives of theater artists, the struggles they face, and the dedication they invest in their craft, offering a glimpse into the somewhat ignored theater world.

In the backdrop, the film reveals everyday life and the chaos of urban living in Kolkata. The director flawlessly captures the city’s bustling street, the local culture, and the overall essence of Kolkata. The depiction of the realistic Bengali household adds an additional layer of authenticity to the narrative. It creates an immensely relatable aura and helps connect with the audience, especially those from Bengali backgrounds.

The humorous and witty dialogues in the film are designed to entertain but also hint at deeper meanings and reflections, making viewers chuckle and ponder at the same time. The narration is filled with comic elements that are infused within the layers of everyday life, making the laughter more realistic and hearty.

Oskar's music, composed by Loy-Deep, is another strong suit of the film. The well-curated soothing melodies perfectly complement the narrative, enhancing the emotional depth and the comic timing of certain scenes.

In the end, Oskar is a beautifully crafted movie defined by its humor, relatability, and portrayal of human dreams and aspirations. Featuring engaging performances by the remarkable trio - Aparajita Adhya, Deep Basu, and Saheb Bhattacharjee, the movie captivates the viewers, making them resonate with the characters’ ambitions and laughter. The film is a refreshing representation of real-life characters that are rarely seen on the big screen, making it a cinematic triumph in the Bengali film industry.