Film Review by Author Riddhima Sen
(Under Cine Talks )
Shonar Kella (1971) is a detective film directed by Satyajit Ray. It is written by Ray itself, and is part of the Feluda universe. Feluda is a character close to every Bengali’s heart, and a part of every Bengali household. He is Pradosh Mitter, a Bengali who has been blessed with the power of ‘Magajastra ‘– a term representing the power of the brain. Felu Mitter is often closely accompanied by his shenanigan Topse, and Lal Mohun babu, an author. Ray’s worldbuilding includes interesting characters, be it the main protagonist or side characters. Lal Mohan babu’s idea to write a thriller based in Rajasthan, adds a sense of comedy into the serious essence of the film.
The film explores the theme of reincarnation, which is quite interesting in itself. A child is kidnapped by a group of goons, and the detective figures the mystery out without being told anything beforehand. His immense sharpness at understanding situations instantly forms the crux of detective worlds. There is another crucial character, that of a doctor, who is brutally attacked by the goons as he gets pushed off the train – that too a moving one. The end consequence faced by the goons are actually worth it .
