Kolkata's Experimental Feature Film "AND LOST SOUL": পরিচালকের কথা

Synopsis of the film,The Director’s Note

Synopsis of the film “Ek Paye Royecho Dariye”

The protagonist poet is stripped of his saffron shirt, red hat and green pants.

Are these clothes very important?

The boy wears his clothes and enters the poet’s house. Both the poet and his wife cannot make any difference between the man who enters the poet and the poet himself. . Who is this man? The poet has looked for him all over India.

Poet Sengupta was doing fine as the head clerk of a government office. He is also a renowned poet. However the honor of being a poet comes with the price of selling his integrity and sense of morality which he is willing to pay. But his soul protests against this. That is when the poet sees a man meditating, while balancing himself on one leg.

Before that, he hears his friend Sanatan speaking of the politics of murder, rape and corruption, which is quite the order of the day and which the poet considers to be quite fair. But ever since he sees the man meditating, he forgets how to write poems.

Why can’t he write a line? Why is he always reminded of his mother being raped when he was very young? Why is his childhood lover questioning his feelings about love? Is the poet a naked sage?

An ascetic woman says that the man the poet sees is none but his own soul. It was at this time that the poet meets with misfortunes in his personal life. His wife gets killed in a terrorist attack and his daughter is abused brutally by his own friend. Darkness rules his life and he cannot not win over it. It is hard to decipher the rhythm of life when the heart is in misery. He suffers immeasurably, unable to cope with the grim realities of his life.

The red hat that the poet wore signifies the red womb. His saffron shirt signifies the departure of the child’s body from the mother’s womb. And the green pants can be compared to the act of standing one legged on the green earth. But the poet’s soul can not stand one-legged in that attire.

People considers him as an intruder and tortures him. His politician friend recognizes him and frees him from his agony. It is as if hope can still be pinned upon the politicians to free the society from its many ills. Sanatan’s daughter reminds the poet that to lead an upright and honest life isn’t an easy thing to do. It is necessary for a poet to have

a free mind in order write poems. The poet’s daughter is also promised her desired freedom of mind by the green nature who has been standing upright all along.

Why did I make this film?Why did I make this film?

To find my roots.

I did play with colors in this film. In my country the Goddess Kali is dark-complexioned. She is the goddess of safety and courage and she likes the color red. Women in my country wear red in their weddings. The color of death is white. Sometimes Kali signifying eternity is green too! Color have played a vital role in my movie.

To speak of the soul of this film- it is a common belief that it lies inside the body. It controls our ego. It takes many thousand years to see the manifestation of the supernatural . There is also the eternal strife between the ego,which is the organised self,and the id which is the instinctual trends. The story of the film “Ek Paaye Royechho Dnariye” is about all this .

O did you say it is hard to stand on a leg? What about the tree?

We like stories. My country is the land of story-tellers. The epic Ramayan is written in rhymes . This film has rhyme in its soul. Drama and folk-lore has been merged in the film to give its form . Is it possible to forget our mythology?

4-D impact to crew-Members

"My film deals with the subject of the search of soul . In the language of film I have tried to trace this journey , seeking answers for it in the existing political system and human relationships. My crew of cinematographer, cameraman , editor-- all seemed to become a part of this search. It was very surprising almost shocking when one day while making the film my cinematographer Musaur Rahman went missing. A sensitive person that he is, his disappearance meant he had his own thoughts to address to . When we were sure that no untoward incident had happened to him , we came to know that the idea of the embodiment of soul and seeking for it in complex life-situations had created an explicit impression upon him and he needed to get away from a duty-bound life in search of the answers to his own queries regarding human existence. This Fourth dimensional impact in life is not a lazy thing but a real one now we realize from our crew.

As a film-maker I feel humbled that my film could raise in his heart this urge , these questions which go beyond the structured and formalized existence that we are expected to live. Isn't film-making also about provoking thoughts that will lead humanity to the fields of newer realizations, deeper insights into life and its intricacies?" R Das,Filmmaker

Film Festivals are requested to download Dialogue sheet from here.

Ek Paye Royecho Dariye

Dialogue sheet

( Int,Inside the car , a night in Kolkata,

FM radio is on)

Voice

Hello Kolkata ! I am Malabika , sipping a drink and enjoying the night in Kolkata ! This program is sponsored by “Blood Sura”. ( Blood Wine) . A peg of this wine costs five rupees only. Visit a nearby outlet and ask for a peg of wine.

Today a head clerk of an office is present in our program. But he is popularly known as Poet Sengupta. This year his book of poems has become the best seller. The book is “ Ek Paaye royechho dnariye.” But this poem is not in the book. Please say something, Sengupta!

The Poet

The book contains 90 poems. The book has been translated in 40 languages.

(Int. Bathroom .Night)

Deepshikha--- Ma, when is your flight to Mumbai?

Poet

11 tomorrow.

Deepshikha

Dad will also go for his poets conference in the evening, won’t he?

Poet

Yes but you are used to staying alone in this apartment, aren’t you?

Deepshikha

Yes I am! But someone knocks at the door at night.

Poet

It might be a cat.

(Int. Car .Night)

You said that the poem “Ek paaye royechho dnariye”..is still being written .

The poet.

Yes that is what I have been trying.

How did your book of poems become so popular?

The poet

Poetry is like a garland of words. Words are like Brahma (Hindu God) to us. If you find the right words you will find love. Truth God and beauty ! Poets are not from the heavens . They immerse in the depth of their beings to find the right word which touches our heart and give us a fulfillment. Look how Rabindranath Tagore touches our lives, still ! The politicians are scared of this. If people get reformed, how will they do the politics of bribery, murder and rape?

You are the head clerk! Do you face any obstacles in your work?

Poet

Not really. The people in my office like me. My bosses are also kind to me.

And at home?

Poet

My wife teaches dance. My daughter Deepshikha is doing MA in Mass communications. They are not into poetry. .

Who is your inspiration then?

The Poet.

A woman and wine! A woman who cannot be touched. Wine that is so fine, that’s its almost impossible to perceive.

Who is your favourite personality?

Rabindranath Tagore, Hritthik Ghatak-in that order!

Favourite politician?

The Poet.

Ray in Hirak rajar Deshe.

Your favorite food?

The Poet.

Fresh wind from the river.

What will you do with all this royalty money?

The poet.

I will form a band of singers and sing devotional songs .

Everything about you is so off-beat.

The poet

In the epic of Mahabharat, after the war is over the Pandavas are on their way to heaven. But why? They instigate the war and then they themselves flee. Their deaths are their escape. That is the whole truth.

It’s difficult for me to understand.

The Poet.

You are sponsored by an alcohol company. The same company which intoxicates people every evening everyday. Is that a very moral thing to do?

In your poem “Terrorist” you have called us the terroists.

The Poet

What else are you? You are the media, and everyone feeds on what you tell them.The most incompetent in the society is running the show, minting money! Taslima is in exile for voicing her protests in favour of torture against women. If this is not terrorism, what is?

(Int.Bus.Day)

The Poet is in the bus.

Poet Please shut up! Why do I have to listen to you?

(Int.Office.Day)

The poet is in his boss’s room. Boss is going through his files. He looks at the poet.

Boss.

You’re taking too many leaves, Sengupta.

Sengupta

Won’t I get leaves if I ask for it?

Boss.

You will but I can’t give you leave for writing poems Sengupta.

Poet One needs to stay alone to write poems. .

Boss.

Then leave your job. You can’t have it both ways Mr Sengupta. Think about it! Please bring me the file that I gave you yesterday.

(Ext.Road.Day)

The poet.

Are all the officers in this land so corrupt?

( Sengupta is walking down the street . He meets a sage on the road)

Sage

Come my naked king!

(Int.BedRoom.Day)

(Sengupta is on bed shivering from fever … Anjali& Deep is pouring water on his head.)

The Poet

Ma …

Deep

Yes dad.

The Poet

Will you please play ‘Miya ki mallahar”?

(Ext.Village.Day)

(The Poet,Daughter,Leader Sanaton,Other Leader is in the village.)

Sanatan

This is the person I spoke to you about. Our poet. He is a famous man. People like us who try to write a little learn from him.

The poet

Sanatan is very close to me. He exaggerates a lot.

Sanatan laughs.

(Ext.River.Day)

Sanatan

You have come after a long time. It will be my great pleasure to go for a boatride with you. O Jardul help us with the wedge.

The Poet

Is that a wedge?

Sanatan

Yes it is.

The Poet.

What are you up to these days, Sanatan?

The Poet.

I’m still working in the primary school.

The Poet

Where is Manashi?

(Ext.Roof.Day)

Manosi is walking to Kobi.

Sanatan

She used to come to meet our daughter. But ever since the girl started crying she has stopped visiting her. She isn’t fit to be a mother. Lives with her lover in Kolkata.

The Poet

Everyone has a language of his own. One needs to realize it. You did not quite understand her.

Sanatan

I made her pregnant to make her happy. She forgot it all!

(Ext.River.Day)

( Kobi,Sanaton is drinking in river boat)

The Poet

Are you writing poems ?

Sanatan

Can’t write anymore. I joined politics. People look up to me now. What more do I need?

The Poet

I do not quite get this game of crowdpulling with a bunch of nincompoops. You need to have a good heart to serve the society. If the school-dropouts rule this country, then we are headed for a civil war! .

Sanatan

Who will wage a war? 62 years have passed Another 162 will, too. Every country in this world sees corruption and murder. What we are doing isn’t new.

The Poet .

The leader should not speak in that manner. “The common people suffer for the king’s deeds”!

Sanatan

Those are our childhood proverbs! This does not happen in politics. Tit for tat should be the policy. Chanakya said so himself. If you bring 10 lakh people to your meetings, so will we. We’ll murder 12 people in reply of your 10.

The Poet.

Are these words worthy of a human being Sanatan?

Sanatan

You have always been very emotional. You suffer because of that . Drinking is a good way to forget your sufferings.

The Poet.

This feels good. Your local hooch is great!

Sanatan

The intellectuals in Rabdeyali and Khalasi tola ( place near Bengal and Bangladesh border) take a strong liking for this drink.

The Poet

No, those places are for workers like you these days. You hardly see poets there now.

Sanatan

That’s great ! They are intellectual rascals! Rogues! They think much and put you in trouble.

The poet

Have you started to hate poets?

Sanatan

Oh no! I have a healthy relationship with you. But those rascals, they gamble with words. When my wife left me , what use did those words have? What more is there to a man woman relationship, than sex? There is nothing more to it. No trace of humanity!

The Poet

Sanatan you are getting irritated.

Sanatan

I will say whatever I wish to. Will make poets , authors . They will have to do what I ask them to! If they do not obey me, will get them raped , murdered , burnt alive!

The Poet

Don’t drink anymore! You speak rubbish!

Sanatan

No I am saying the right things. We are great! There is no such thing called God. We have the last word. Either you listen to us or you die. 500 people will call you a liar! Who will save you then, who will say that you are not!

(Ext.River.Day)

The Poet.

The mother lies raped on the railtracks.

The young lad looks for his mother in his father’s love.

Women ashamed at the sins of their sons, shed tears on the tracks.

The lad hold on to words, fleeing from duties.

Says, “Freedom is mine”.

While the father leaves all of a sudden to meet his wife.

Sanatan

Beautiful!

The Poet.

This is the story of my life. My mother was raped in the rail-station of Bengal.

Sanatan

Sorry I did not know this.

Poet

Oh that happened long ago. Incidents such as this, still happen in the dead of the night.

Sanatan

Law cannot stop this.

The Poet

People can. You have killed humanity!

Sanatan

No you are wrong! The seeds of cruelty in human-beings have always been there.

The poet

Sanatan, can’t you be a river?

Why can’t we say this?

(Ext.River Side.Day)

( a man standing on one foot)

The poet

I know this boy

Who is he? Why cannot I recognize him?

Translation of the song

When will my boat reach its shore, sailing slowly?

O my boat of life!

My body is in the boat.

My time has gone playing

Now I am waiting for the boat of my life

To reach the shore.

(Int.Bed Room.Day)

Poet is writing a Poem.

Wife

You are like the soft winter sun .

Poet

Then you will never enjoy summer.

Wife

And the rains.

Poet

Listen to this.

On one leg, I stand

As the storm rises and passes away.

But the river will stay.

I am well, I am fine

The words are silent because

You are not here. But I am…

And I am fine

Wife

And what comes after that? Tell me.

Poet

Umm… what do I write?

Wife

Tell me… think…

Poet

I don’t know…

I don’t know what to write next.

Wife

No, please try .

Poet.

You are not here

But I am

And I am fine

What to write next? Its not coming to me…

(Ext.Fair.Day)

The Poet is in the fair.

ascetic

You are a poet.

Poet

I cannot write anymore. Not since I saw that boy standing on one leg..

ascetic

If you lose your mind you will lose your consciousness. Your eyes are your life. Do not deny life, or your soul will leave you. There lies your soul; the boy is your soul.

(Int.Bed Room.Day)

( the daughter tries to talk )

Hell dad

Hello dad

Mother is no more…

(Ext.Road.Day)

( Fights are on)

Leader

Hey do not kill him.. Just beat him up!

( After the fight)

The poet

Can you afford to get defeated so soon?

(Intr.Room.Day)

( Poet in front of his wife’s picture)

Poet

Death cannot speak.

Has no consciousness

No warmth

No eyes.

No life

No shape.

Death

Has no soul

No soul

No soul .

(Ext.Car.Day)

(on Kolkata road. Deepshikha is on her father’s friend’s car)

Anuj

Your father writes nice poems. But he is very stubborn, never flatters anyone.

Deep

Dad often speaks about you! He says Anuj kaku drifts at his own speed.

Anuj

But why did he think of cinema as your career option?

Deep

The whole idea was mine, not his. Why shouldn’t I get to act in films when my father’s friend is a producer?

(Anuj laughs)

Deep

You are my uncle……

Anuj

Yes Of-course! But uncles don’t act this way—don’t you think so?

Deep

In our society, it should be more like a father and daughter relationship.

Anuj

Go and study for your exams. This glamour world is not for you!

Get out of my car!

(Int.Room.Night)

Phone rings

Sengupta speaking! I am not at home now. Please record you message after the beep.

Mr Sengupta..your book “ Ek Paaye royechho dnariye” has won this year’s Sahitya Academy award. Please get in touch with us. We have mailed your letter. Congratulations!

(Int.Room.Night.)

Poet

I am standing on one leg.

I have to stand like that boy. If he can do it, why can’t I? The only way I can write poems again is if I can stand on my leg.

I have to write poems. I have to… I must.

(Int.Room.Day)

Poet speaks to wife’s Soul.

Wife

Congratulations!

The poet

Why?

Wife

Didn’t you win the award?

The poet

I am thinking of refusing it.

Wife.

Why don’t you accept it? You can just donate the money to Ramkrishna Mission. They are doing some good work.

The Poet

That’s a good idea!

Wife

Your daughter is appearing for the School Service Exams.

The Poet

That’s good but she should have completed her MA.

Wife

But we have to value her decision, right?

The Poet

Dinu, her boyfriend—doesn’t he work in the IT Sector? He is into poetry.

Wife

That means he has to work doggedly hard for 12 to 18 hours. Isn’t there any concept of working 8 hours anymore?

(Int.Verranda.Day)

The Phone rings

Why didn’t you come today? Not feeling well?

Deep

Not quite feeling upto anything.

Have you become a poet like your dad?

Deep

I don’t know… . It feels so slippery…

Enjoy your life baby!

(Ext.Riverside.Day)

Poet sitting on river bank.soul of his wife is joining there.

Wife

You are sitting here for long. Please go home or you might catch a cold.

Poet.

How are you?

Wife

It is as if I am not here! I have tried to talk to Deepu but I couldn’t.

Poet

Keep on trying

Wife

I do. But she cannot hear me. She always seems to be surrounded or occupied. I cannot even touch her…. My own daughter….

(Int.Bed Room.Night)

Deep sleeping in bed and dreaming.

Deep

Ma ..Here I am..

Etr.Heaven.Night

Wife

Deepa Where are you?

Deepa..

Ma come and hold me …Here I am…..

Deepa, Where are you?

(Ext.Road.Day)

They are Kidnapping poet

The Poet.

Where, where are you taking me?

Men

Come with us, now.

Poet

Who are you?

Men

We will felicitate you.

(Ext.River side.Day)

Poet is Walking along the riverside

The Poet

They are the political touts. But I cannot call them so. How can I, even when they are nothing but so! I am compromising with them.

The woman

Let’s go for a boat-ride. You will write a poem on my back .

Poet

On your back?

The woman

That will be read in Paris, Rome, London everywhere in this world.

Woman

Mr Sengupta, found you after a long search.

Poet

How can I help you?

Woman

The Ministry of Culture wants to felicitate you…

Poet.

Culture! What meaning does it have to the nation which does not care for its own tribal people, drives them away from their homes in the name of mining? Does global economy mean that people will be homeless? Who is this industrialization for? For a mere 10% people?

Government recognitions bring some solace! You are a good friend of mine. I cannot refuse you. I will definitely go.

(Ext.River side.Day)

The Poet Find out his soul

The Poet:

I am looking for my soul.

And here he is with a form

I have one too.

What will happen to me now?

(Ext.River side.Day)

Poet Lying down

Poet

Why do I love you?

Lover

Why?

Poet

I love my mother because she is very affectionate. Yet I want you.

Lover

Why?

Poet

I cannot live without you.

Wife

But why?

Poet

I have my mother.

Wife

I have my father. I have love.

(Int.Office.Day)

Poet’s Soul in Office with Boss.

Boss

Write, “To the General Manager,

SN Enterprise

Dear Sir, This is to inform you that our bill is due.

Soul

Debts everywhere, to the soil of this land, water, sky, the people I am indebted to my own country.

The Soul cries.

(Int.Room.Day)

Poet’s Soul has entered to Deep.

Daughter

Dad I have got the job.

The Poet

On one leg, I stand

As the storm rises and passes away.

But the river stays.

I am well, I am fine

The words are silent because

You are not here. But I am

And I am fine The storm comes and the wind blows

The days flow by

Everything stands on a leg

The river lies there.

(Int.Room.Day)

Poet’s soul & Wife’s Soul .

Poet

I’m happy to be out of the guise. I feel relaxed.

Wife

Why haven’t you written anything for so long?

Poet

My voice seems to change. I feel like crying when I write.

Wife

Then cry!

Poet Cries

Wife

No not this way, where are your tears?

Local Leader:

Who is crying?

Poet

Sengupta!

Local Leader

You cheat ! Don’t I know Sengupta? He’s an elderly fellow with glasses. You have barged into our premises. Bring a rope…tie him up… This place is getting infested with rogues.

(Int.Road.Day)

Poet roped to single leg.

The Poet

I am well, I am fine

The words are silent because

You are not here. But I am

And I am fine. The storms come and the wind blows

The days flow by

Everything stands on a leg

The river lies there.

Sanatan

Who tied you up this way? What a shame! How can one be so inhuman?

Poet

People could not recognize me without my guise.

Sanatan

You should not have changed so much so soon!

Sanatan’s daughter

You are standing on a leg. You can, but if you look back and compromise, you won’t move on.

(Int.Car.Day)

Car is moving from River side.

Deep

The rivers are drying up.

Poet

The soil of Bengal, The water of Bengal, The air of Bengal, The fruits of Bengal.

May God bless them all.

(Ext.Jungle.Day)

Deep is playing with nature.

Deep

Set them free…

Let them live fearlessly.

Set them free…

Kolkata's Experimental Feature Film "AND LOST SOUL"

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