Paroma

Paroma is a 1985 Indian Bengali drama film, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Aparna Sen. This remarkable film features an ensemble cast of noted actors, including Rakhee Gulzar in the titular role, Aparna Sen herself, and Mukul Sharma. The film is not just another story; rather, it challenges the deeply rooted societal norms regarding a woman's freedom, identity, and self-respect as viewed by an orthodox society.

The narrative of Paroma focuses on a middle-aged woman named Paroma, brilliantly portrayed by Rakhee Gulzar. Paroma is a dutiful wife, mother, and daughter-in-law who has dedicated her life to serving her family members. She fits exactly in the societal structure and expectations and breeds understanding and sacrifice. Paroma embodies a woman who has been told that her role in life is to revolve around her near and dear ones, doing things for them, fulfilling their desires and needs, without ever fully embracing her own identity or desires.

The movie takes a surprising turn when Rahul, a young photographer played by Mukul Sharma, enters Paroma's life. Rahul hails from a Western background, where women enjoy more freedom and have the ability to express their individuality. Through his lens, Rahul creates a new and different world for Paroma, leading her to recognize the stark contrast between her culturally defined role and her unique identity. The beauty of the film is that it doesn’t stop at bringing this recognition to Paroma but takes it further to the action she decides to take after the realization.

Aparna Sen has directed the film with great sensitivity, and it’s evident that she, too, played a pivotal role in the movie. She succinctly portrays the puritanical society's hypocritical norms, where the happiness of women often goes unnoticed and unnegotiated and takes a gentle but firm stand against patriarchy, making this movie a must-watch.

Paroma delves into subjective themes of female identity and freedom within the confines of social norms and constraints. It portrays the blossoming of a ‘housewife’ into a ‘woman’ as she steps out of her conventional roles and explores her individuality. It blends domesticity and conventionality with the freedom and individuality present outside the walls of conventional homes.

The performances in the film are consistently impeccable. Rakhee Gulzar's portrayal of Paroma is intensely emotional, combining innocence, sensitivity, boldness, and pain in equal measures. This unforgettable character is built mainly due to her extraordinary performance. Mukul Sharma as Rahul manages to portray the complexities of his character with great detail—combining boldness, sophistication, and humanity effortlessly. Aparna Sen also delivers a compelling performance and infuses the film with her distinctive narrative style.

Rahul's character's introduction into the narrative allows Paroma to see herself through the newer perspectives that come from places beyond her traditional milieu. In this way, the film questions the age-old tradition of considering wives as property and daughters as burdens. It reclaims the space for the woman as a human, a person in her own right, someone who has an identity beyond that of a dutiful wife, a loving mother, a caring daughter-in-law, and asserts her needs, desires, and dreams. The film frequency hints at the society's hypocrisy and forces us to introspect, making it an essential addition to feminist cinema.

The cinematography of the movie symbolically represents Paroma’s life before and after her quintessential liberation. The claustrophobic visuals subtly project the confinements of Paroma, while the open visuals after her transformation symbolize her newfound freedom and individuality. The soundtrack and score perfectly encapsulate the essence of the movie, contributing significantly to setting the tone of the film and enhancing the narrative’s emotional depth.

In conclusion, Paroma is a brave and challenging film that dares to question the societal norms and responsibilities imposed on women, highlighting the essence of womanhood and identity. The depth and complexity of the themes addressed, the memorable performances by the cast, and Aparna Sen's befitting direction ensure that the film stays long after you have watched it. It indeed is a classic, timeless piece in the realm of Indian cinema that will resonate deeply with audiences, especially women.