Title of film : The wanderlust of Apu
Director Name : Subhrajit Mitra
Cast & crew :
Producer : Gaurang Films
Editor : Sujay Datta Ray
Cast :
Synopsis : With ‘Avijatrik’ (The Wanderlust of Apu) by Subhrajit Mitra – the enduring and endearing character of ‘Apu’ is all set to return after 60 years! It is the sequel to the classic “Apu Trilogy”, which were directed by Satyajit Ray. The plot takes off from where “The Apu Trilogy” had ended in 1959 with “Apur Sansar”. The film focuses on Apu’s overwhelming desire to explore the world outside, instead of his inner journey and self growth – as portrayed in the earlier trilogy. Synopsis Avijatrik is essentially the story of a journey depicting Apu’s ardour to be a globetrotter, to experience outside world and immerse himself in myriad layers of life. The story revolves around a sublime bond between a father (Apu) and his 6 year old son (Kajol) – wherein both are dependent on each other – heaping lavish affection and love for each other. The film has explored beautiful tapestry of pure interpersonal relationships to recreate magic of Apu– sharing adventures with his beloved son, Kajol. Apu is a warm & affectionate father to Kajol who lost his dear mother to an unpropitious fate during his birth. Aparna, Apu’s late wife still exists in his surreal space—a space where he involves himself in eternal philosophical discourses with his beloved. Apu and Kajol now start a journey to the northern part of India from Kolkata since Apu has taken up a job of a resident teacher in an opulent estate. This journey creates an unfading and everlasting mark in Apu’s heart as he chances upon his childhood sweetheart Leela, an astounding beauty whom he accidentally meets after ages. Leela, with her declining health is going to visit her daughter who stays with her grandmother in Benaras. Her marriage proved to be painful. Apu comes across a deserted and forlorn Leela; but loses her forever in few hours time. Confessing her love for Apu, Leela succumbs to her illness and breathes her last in his arms. Apu is compelled to get down from the train to keep his promise of visiting Leela’s mother and daughter in Benaras. As always, train (metaphor of a journey of life from one destination to another) and death once again play a pivotal catalyst in Apu’s life. As destiny desired, he meets Shankar in Benaras. Shankar is a middle aged globetrotter who is an illustrious character immortalised by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay in another epic novel. Shankar is visiting some old Indian cities to explore the collective consciousness of this ancient civilization. Apu and Kajol are enthralled by his buoyant spirit of adventure and his ebullient soul-searching quest. Shankar triggers the passion of wanderlust in them and invites Apu to join him for his excavation tour to Borobodur, next month. Apu politely asks for some time to consider such a marvellous offer. He is worried about the safety and future of Kajol, in an unknown land though he harbours the vivacious spirit to see the world. The excitement is surging and pulsating in his veins, and he longs to set out on a timeless and adventurous journey. This bohemian nature of Apu nudges him to forsake his job in North India. He soon returns to Calcutta for sometime but suddenly falls ill. Young Kajol nurses his ailing father with utmost love and care. On the other hand the ramifications of World War II and the armed freedom movements in India have also created havoc and precariousness in the streets of Calcutta. Apu’s disquiet and fearful apprehensions about the well being of Kajol prompts him to join Shankar and take his son away from this mayhem. Before leaving his motherland Apu takes Kajol to his ancestral home at Nischindipur, for the very last time to revive and relive his childhood memories. There he meets his distant cousin sister Ranu and the rest of his relatives. Apu, for the last time, feels at home, at peace with himself amongst his near and dear ones in Nischindipur. He meets them after decades and showers in immense affection to feel contented, at this juncture of his life. Apu also feels the tender presence of his long gone sister Durga in Ranu . He is delighted to feel the same fondness for Ranu as he did for his own sister Durga years ago. Kajol is equally loved and adored by everybody and soaks in the lap of their affection. Apu basks in the glory of his childhood sweet memories and the present moments, amidst his very own people. Life has come to a full circle as he lives his moments through his son Kajol. Yearning for more adventure he finally bids farewell to his village, his city, his motherland and embarks on a spirited journey with Shankar and Kajol on some unknown terrains in search of new beginnings in a far away land.
Director Bio : Subhrajit, a known and popular face in the media world, started his career at an early age as a documentary director. He is a post graduate in Computer science and engineering and he also has done a part time two years diploma course in Filmdirection from National Institute of Film and Fine Arts. “Vorai”, a 52 mins film, was Subhrajit’s first fiction work, which has won multiple awards across the globe. His debut feature film was “Mon Amour…Shesher Kobita revisited” in 2008, Till date he has directed 6 feature films that include “Aagunpakhi”, “Kakababu trilogy” by Sunil Ganguly and "Chorabali". Presently He’s making Avijatrik, last part of the novel Aparajito by Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhyay, Presenseted by Mr. Madhur Bhandarkar He was an empanelled filmmaker of National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel and History Channel. He has directed a series on the lesser-known tribes of the Himalayas, titled “Himalayas- unsung, unseen” for National Geographic Channel. Subhrajit has made a path breaking docu-feature on Jesus Christ’s alleged life in India after his proclaimed resurrection, titled “The unknown stories of the Messiah”. Internationally acclaimed actors such as Soumitra Chatterjee and Aparna Sen have acted in this film. The film was nominated as the “Best International docufeature” award at the Rome international film festival 2006. His Documentary film on prisoner’s children, “Flickering Angels”, produced by Gov. of India and Gaurang Films has traveled in several international festivals. He has scripted and directed a Mega -Documentary on 1971 India–Pakistan war and Bangladesh liberation for BSF, Produced by Ministry of Home Affairs, India. OSCAR winner Mr. A R Rahman has done the score for this Documentary. The Documentary was premiered at Vigyan Bhavan in 2014. He has produced and worked as the creative director for 100 nos. of short films for a Web Portal.
Filmography :
