When a filmmaker makes a movie, the question “is the movie a success?” arises. “A good movie makes you cry/ laugh/ jump out of your seats” doesn’t seem to be the norm anymore. To me, it’s a matter of fundamentalism, truth, and facts that makes a movie stand out rather than its triggers.
Poran is a movie based on a true story. While many have already assumed that the movie is based on the incident of Nayan Bond and Rifat Faraji killing an innocent boy named Rifat Sharif in broad daylight in the year 2019, the director has not confirmed it.
Of course, the characterization plays an integral part in realizing that aspect, but in 2022, the audience is seemingly looking beyond the fictional lens in cinema – hence the mass turnout in halls to see this particular movie in spite of other factors.
Plot
Ananya is a girl from a middle-class family living in a small mofswal city. She is the oldest daughter of her parents and is approached by a local thug named Noman, whom everyone else fears. In the movie, Ananya is not studious; somehow, she manages to clear her board exams with Noman’s help; more eventful interactions lead them to start a relationship mixed with friendship and love.
Trouble begins in paradise when Ananya gets admitted into a university and meets Sifat, who is the complete opposite of Noman, and they begin to fall for each other. Noman beats him up when he learns about it, which kickstarts a turbulent love triangle. Eventually Noman is forced to quit politics to make her happy but Ananya ends up marrying Sifat, while he ends up in jail. Ananya’s guilt and dilemma lands her in an unhappy marital life, questioning herself, while Noman itches with a vengeful agony.
At this point, the audience think they know the story, and yet they don’t. The plot twist has everyone on edge.
In a twisted turn of events, the movie delves into some gruesome, begrudging deaths, and trials of fate for both Ananya and Noman. A deadly romance, if you will. I think that one of the aspects of a good movie is when the audience is hooked on the story with the twists and the way these scenes are executed.
A large audience appreciated this movie because it represented a female character conflicted between two boys and its similarity to an incident that actually happened. This movie is a love story and one that many of us have witnessed and experienced.
Along with its reliability and cinematography, it is difficult to take our eyes off the screen. Every scene is cinematic and thrilling. While watching Poran, one may realize that love is powerful and makes us question our actions later on. The movie also comments on corruption. A mountain of crime starts piling up among corrupt officials and political leaders, which goes unacknowledged. The story explores social injustices and human emotions ranging from pleasure to pain, heartbreak to anger.
As for the acting, Shariful Raj was outstanding. Whether he was acting out an action or romance scene, you can feel that he was challenging himself compared to his previous performances. At one point, I thought Raj might be Noman in real life. The character of the politically entangled young man, Noman, is perfectly portrayed. Equally matched was Yas Rohan in acting out Sifat’s character. The audience loved him in his scenes, and many shed tears for him.
Now, let’s come to the lead actress, Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, who played the role of Ananya. She was praised for her splendid acting. There was a powerful scene between Raj and Mim where she apologized for everything she had done to him and asked if he could forgive her so that they could both move on. It seemed like a great privilege to see these two powerful actors together, acting this scene out.
Another actor currently establishing himself as an integral part of Bengali content is Nasir Uddin Khan, who we know as Rupali. He executed the character of the cop with integrity and perseverance. He was appreciated in the interrogation scenes with Ananya and when he didn’t believe in her fabricated story like others.
Additionally, the movie’s background music is perfect in resonating with the emotions of the characters. It merged with each scene and added to its realism instead of exaggerating it. The movie has been lauded for its excellent choreography, direction, and flow. With so many positives, one downfall of the movie might be its lengthy runtime.
Poran highlighted many sensitive and toxic aspects of love stories. Although almost everyone loved it, it has been difficult for some viewers to watch it on the big screen because the story was too realistic, and even graphic at times. However, the fact that a large Bangladeshi audience stormed the theatres for a home production has been a pleasant surprise.