Our Score
Onekdin Por Review
At a time when commercial Bengali cinema often prioritizes spectacle over substance, Onekdin Por, directed by Sourav Palodhi, chooses a quieter and more emotional path. Exploring themes of loneliness, ageing, friendship, and human connection, the film carries a meaningful message that resonates with today’s society. While its intentions are sincere and its performances impressive, the film struggles to maintain emotional consistency due to an uneven screenplay and sluggish pacing.
Story
The story revolves around Biswanath (Shankar Debnath), an elderly widower whose life becomes painfully lonely after the death of his wife while his son settles abroad. Rather than spending his remaining years in isolation, Biswanath and his close friend Ashish (Biplab Bandyopadhyay) decide to transform their home into a shared living space where people from different backgrounds and generations can support one another like a family.
Managing this unique household is Mallika (Chitrangada Satarupa), a compassionate young woman balancing her own personal struggles while caring for others with warmth and empathy. As new residents enter the home carrying emotional wounds, financial difficulties, and personal losses, the film explores how kindness and companionship can heal even the deepest scars.
The premise is refreshing and emotionally relevant, but the screenplay never fully develops the dramatic possibilities hidden within the story.
Direction & Screenplay
Director Sourav Palodhi deserves appreciation for attempting a story that focuses on humanity rather than commercial formulas. The film successfully creates an emotional atmosphere filled with nostalgia and warmth. However, the narrative often becomes repetitive, especially in the second half, causing the emotional impact to weaken.
Several touching moments feel stretched, and the lack of stronger dramatic conflict prevents the story from maintaining consistent engagement. A tighter screenplay and sharper editing could have transformed the film into a far more memorable experience.
Performances
The film’s biggest strength is undoubtedly its performances.
Chitrangada Satarupa delivers the finest performance of the film. Her portrayal of Mallika is graceful, emotionally honest, and effortlessly natural. She brings genuine warmth to every scene and becomes the emotional backbone of the narrative.
Shankar Debnath portrays Biswanath with dignity and quiet restraint, while Biplab Bandyopadhyay provides heartfelt support as his lifelong friend. Their chemistry feels authentic and adds emotional depth to the story.
The supporting cast, including Bimal Giri, Shubhankar Ghatak, Suparna Das, Debesh Ray Chowdhury, Madhumita Sengupta, and Seema Mukhopadhyay, all perform sincerely, although many of their characters deserved stronger development.
Music & Technical Aspects
The music composed by Saptak Sanai Das beautifully complements the film’s emotional tone. The song “Megheder Naam,” sung by Durnibar Saha, stands out as one of the film’s highlights.
Visually, the cinematography captures everyday Bengali life with simplicity and warmth. Nostalgic settings, neighbourhood streets, tea stalls, and familiar surroundings enhance the film’s emotional atmosphere without feeling artificial.
What Works
- Outstanding performance by Chitrangada Satarupa
- Heartwarming and socially relevant subject
- Strong chemistry between the senior actors
- Soulful music and memorable songs
- Honest emotional storytelling
- Meaningful message about companionship
What Doesn’t Work
- Slow and repetitive second half
- Uneven screenplay
- Weak dramatic conflict
- Several underdeveloped supporting characters
- Emotional moments lose impact due to pacing issues
Final Verdict
Onekdin Por is a sincere film with its heart firmly in the right place. It delivers an important message about compassion, loneliness, and the importance of human relationships, supported by impressive performances and beautiful music. However, its slow pacing and inconsistent screenplay prevent it from reaching the emotional heights it aspires to.
For audiences who appreciate character-driven Bengali dramas, Onekdin Por offers enough heartfelt moments to justify a watch. But those expecting a tightly written and emotionally powerful narrative may leave feeling that the film had far greater potential than it ultimately delivers.
