Chokher Bali - Movie Review

Published: August 27, 2009

By JACQUELYN WHITE

Starring Aishwarya Rai, Prasenjit Chatterjee, Raima Sen, Tota Roy Chowdhurry

One of writer Rabindranath Tagore‘s most admired works comes to the big screen in this passionate tale of discontent, deceit, and independence. Young widow Binodini (Aishwarya Rai) lives in a time when widows are forced into a life of penitence. When her husband dies, Binodini returns to her village to live with a relative Rajlakshmi (Lily Chakavarty), her son Mahendra (Prasenjit Chatterjee), and his wife Ashalata (Raima Sen). Mahendra, a former love interest of Binodini’s, finds himself unhappy with his naïve wife and attracted to the beautiful widow. After an affair between the pair begins, Mehendra’s best friend Beharie (Tota Roy Chowdhurry) steps into the picture, complicating the situation further. All of the characters become tangled in the web of lies that Binodini spins and the audience is left to ponder the question: Is she a progressive woman seeking independence or a manipulative black widow? Like many Bollywood movies, Chokher Bali is a feast for the eyes, and though some scenes are slow, the imagery will keep viewers captivated.

Chokher Bali is rated Must See.

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