
Watch Antarmahal
- 2005
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7.1 (520)
Antarmahal is a Bengali film that was released in the year 2005. The film is directed by Rituparno Ghosh and stars notable Bollywood actors Jackie Shroff, Abhishek Bachchan, and Roopa Ganguly in the lead roles. The film is set in the 19th century Bengal, during the British Raj. The story revolves around a Zamindar (landlord) called Bhubaneswar Chowdhury (played by Jackie Shroff), who lives in a magnificent palace called Antarmahal with his wife Mahamaya (Roopa Ganguly) and their young son. Bhubaneswar Chowdhury is a deeply traditional man who is obsessed with having a son to carry on his lineage. He is willing to go to any length to ensure that his wish is fulfilled, including marrying multiple younger wives. Unfortunately, his attempts at fathering a son are in vain, and he is left with five daughters. This makes him extremely disappointed, and he becomes abusive towards his wives and daughters. Things take an interesting turn when Bhubaneswar Chowdhury invites an eminent artist named Ganesh Pyne (played by Abhishek Bachchan) to stay in his palace and paint. Ganesh Pyne is a modern, liberal man who is not afraid to challenge the traditional norms of the society. He is immediately drawn to Mahamaya's beauty and grace, and it is not long before they fall in love. As their affair progresses, Mahamaya begins to question her life with Bhubaneswar Chowdhury. She realizes that she has been living in a gilded cage and that she wants more from her life than just being a trophy wife. She wants to be free to live her life and pursue her own interests. Ganesh Pyne becomes her ticket to that freedom, and she is willing to do anything to be with him. Bhubaneswar Chowdhury gets wind of Mahamaya's affair and is enraged. He is not willing to let go of his trophy wife and embarks on a mission to get her back. He uses all his power and resources to sabotage the relationship between Mahamaya and Ganesh Pyne, and the film ends with a shocking twist. Antarmahal is a powerful and compelling film that explores the themes of love, power, and the patriarchy. The performances by the lead actors are exceptional, and the film is beautifully shot. The director does a great job of taking the audience back in time and giving them a glimpse into what life was like in Bengal during the British Raj. The film also sheds light on the difficulties faced by women during that period. Women were treated as objects and were denied basic rights and freedoms. They were meant to stay at home and take care of their families, and were not allowed to express their own opinions or pursue their own interests. Antarmahal portrays this struggle beautifully, and Mahamaya's journey is an inspiring one. In conclusion, Antarmahal is a must-watch for anyone who loves period dramas and wants to learn more about the history of Bengal. It's a gripping tale of love and power, and the performances by the lead actors make it a memorable film.