Cinematography goes beyond mere entertainment; it creates a world that allows the audience to immerse themselves in different experiences and realities. Lootera offers such a vibrant experience. It is a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption, set against the setting of 1950s Bengal, demonstrated elegantly and flawlessly.
The film opens with a Jatra performance, where the audience is entirely immersed. Among them is Pakhi, a young woman in traditional Bengali attire, her face lit up with smiles and laughter, her eyes brimming with life, aspires to be a writer. She is rushed off to her room when she gets unwell during the Jatra by her father, Roy Chaudhary Babu (Zamindar Babu), and her friend.
The Set-up
The first half of the story unfolds in the lands of Manikpur in 1953, amidst fields, landscapes, temples, and winding country roads. The Zamindar’s mansion, set in a rural setting, invites viewers with its expansive central verandah, adorned with intricate wooden carvings, lamps, posts, and rustic furniture. The house’s aged and weathered appearance, with its vintage details, serves as a symbol of the nobility of that era.
The wooden chairs, table centrepieces, and the traditional attire worn by the characters together create a rich and authentic experience of 1950s Bengal and its culture. The space is illuminated with a mix of lamp posts, candles, and chandeliers, while ventilation is provided by a “Punkah,” a colonial-era system used before the invention of electric fans.
The Encounter
Varun Shrivastav enters the plot, the story, and Pakhi’s life. From the moment their vehicles collided and their eyes met, they became entwined in each other’s journey. Varun is introduced as an archaeologist who has come to study the land surrounding the temple owned by Zamindar Babu, Pakhi’s father. After sharing a dinner and learning more about him, Zamindar Babu invites Varun and his partner, Dev, to stay at his mansion.
The Tale
Pakhi and Varun bond over their shared love for art, their mutual interests in reading and writing, the poetry of Bidyanath Mishra, painting, and books. Their story unfolds within the mansion, marked by hidden glances from the window, subtle acknowledgments of each other’s presence, painting together, and moments spent in nature. The song “Tadbeer Se Bigadi Huyee” from the 1950s movie Baazi plays in the background, adding a retro charm to their tale.
The verse:
“बरामदे पुराने हैं, नई सी धूप है
जो पलकें खटखटा रहा है, किसका रूप है?”
“The verandas are old, but the sunlight feels new,
Whose beauty is this that knocks gently on the eyelids?”
This beautiful verse from the song “Sawaar Loon,” written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, and composed by Amit Trivedi, in the melodious voice of Monali Thakur, marks the awakening of love in their lives.
Lootera
As the movie depicts a noble household, Zamindar Babu owns quite a collection of antiques, along with vast acres of land including a temple with a 300-year-old Radha-Govind idol enshrined. Meanwhile, the government enacts the Estate and Acquisition Act, making ownership of land exceeding 15 acres illegal. Varun helps Zamindar Babu by selling off the antiques, and removing any prohibited items. After completing his excavation and research, he mysteriously vanishes.
Before fleeing, Varun experienced profound inner turmoil—whether to address his past debts through unethical actions, repay the love given to him when he had no one, or cross moral boundaries for love and a brighter future. The interplay of light and shadow around him reflects his internal conflict and the choices he must make. A black vehicle waits at the door, symbolising his return to a past he must confront.
Dalhousie
The second half of the story, inspired by O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf,” shifts to Dalhousie in 1954. Pakhi now resides alone in the house, her once vibrant eyes now weary from the mental strain of losing everything and the physical toll of a prolonged illness. Her face has grown pale, and she appears frail after the death of her father.
In solitude, she frequently gazes at the tree outside her home and recalls a story her father shared about the king of the Bhil tribe, whose soul was said to dwell within a parrot.
The window serves as a link, connecting the interior spaces with the natural world outside. It’s often noted that incorporating nature into living environments has an impact on mental health. As Pakhi lived alone in her Dalhousie home, she developed a deep attachment to the tree outside her window. It became a constant presence in her life, standing by her side through every season and weather. She formed an emotional bond with it, connecting her own life to the falling leaves during the snowfall. She believed that she would take her last breath when the tree shed its last leaf.
The Impact
The Dalhousie house is nestled in a lush green landscape, surrounded by plants, trees, benches, and stunning mountain views. The interiors of the house are dimly lit, with white curtains on the windows serving as a connection between Pakhi and the world outside.
The shift in weather, from lush greenery to cold snow, mirrors the decline in Pakhi’s health. The absence of colour reflects the emptiness resonating in her heart. Her once vibrant and joyful life has turned cold, with hope fading and each day feeling like a step closer to eternal peace.
The Return
When Varun re-enters Pakhi’s life amidst the cold surroundings of her home, her anger and love for him rekindles a spark of life within her. Varun takes refuge in her house where he learns about her illness and her psychological connection to the last leaf of the tree. Viewing this as an opportunity for redemption and to prove his love, he chooses to stay. Rather than resigning to his fate, he steps forward to embrace his love in the moments that follow.
The Dilemma
Varun, burdened by his past, and Pakhi, grappling with betrayal, both face the harsh realities of their lives. In the cold and soothing surroundings, Varun chooses to confront his past in search of redemption. Pakhi, who is ill and alone, initially resists but ultimately finds solace in Varun’s love, which warms her soul.
The warmth amid the cold feels like a beacon of hope and love. In the otherwise achromatic setting, the warmth and colour of the light symbolise love. The glow of light on their previously dull faces signifies the advent of love and redemption.
Though pursuing love may seem like the obvious choice, Varun struggled with the fear of abandoning the love and support his guardians once provided. Letting go of his past felt wrong, making his decision to betray Pakhi and her father and choose an unethical path a painful one.
Lootera is a cinematic marvel that stays in one’s heart. Sonakshi Sinha and Ranveer Singh breathe life into their roles as Pakhi and Varun. The movie delves into the ironies of life through tales of love and redemption and connects well with the viewers through its compelling storyline, characters, and meticulously crafted settings. The dialogues, songs, and emotional depth, from soft anger to the harsh realities of life, create a memorable experience. The vivid 1950s setting adds further depth to its themes of loss, love, and the passage of time.
Citation:
- Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Lootera. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lootera [Accessed 1 Sep. 2024].
