Ek Din Achanak

Watch Ek Din Achanak

  • NR
  • 1989
  • 1 hr 45 min
  • 7.1  (342)

"Ek Din Achanak" is a 1989 Indian art-house film directed by Mrinal Sen, starring Shabana Azmi, Shreeram Lagoo, Aparna Sen, and Roopa Ganguly in pivotal roles. The movie revolves around a middle-class family and how their lives get diffused in one single day when the head of the family abruptly disappears. The movie depicts a realistic portrayal of the struggles and challenges faced by the family members in their efforts to come to terms with his unexpected absence and the ensuing emotional turmoil.

The story is set in a middle-class household in Calcutta. Sudhindra Bose (Shreeram Lagoo) a retired government official, lives with his wife Aarti (Shabana Azmi), his son Ajay (Naseeruddin Shah), who works at a bank, and daughter Nandini (Roopa Ganguly), who is a college student. One fine day, Sudhindra decides to go out for a walk, but he gets lost and doesn't return home. The family frantically looks for him, but to no avail. This sudden disappearance throws the entire family into utter chaos.

As the day progresses, the family members start disclosing their deepest desires and resentments in the face of this sudden void, leading to the revelation of some unexpected truths. Sudhindra's mysterious disappearance exposes the dysfunctional nature of the family and exposes their vulnerabilities. Aarti, who was deeply in love with Sudhindra when they were young, is now lost in the deadening monotony of the household chores. Ajay, who is struggling with financial debts, is frustrated with his lack of mobility and longs for a fulfilling life. Nandini, a teenage college student, is looking for love and freedom and becomes drawn towards a young man.

The movie captures the breathtaking intensity and complexity of emotions that arise when a family faces an unexpected crisis. Throughout the film, the characters engage in long, thoughtful dialogues that touch on many profound themes, including existentialism, love, marriage, and dreams, that lend the movie an intense emotional depth. The captivating performances from all the actors, especially Shabana Azmi and Shreeram Lagoo, bring to life the frailties and vulnerabilities of flawed human beings.

The film is a masterpiece of realist cinema, seamlessly weaving together human drama with an engaging narrative structure. Mrinal Sen's storytelling techniques are exemplary, especially the use of vague yet meaningful details like Sudhindra's disappearance, his motives behind it, and the family's reactions to it. These ambiguous elements leave ample room for the audiences to imagine and interpret what might be happening behind the scenes.

"Ek Din Achanak" is a movie that demands patience and attention from its viewers. The film's slow, contemplative pace may not appeal to everyone, but those who appreciate subtle and nuanced storytelling will find much to admire in this thought-provoking masterpiece. This movie isn't just a beautifully crafted portrait of a family in crisis, but a brilliant meditation on life itself.

Ek Din Achanak
Ek Din Achanak doesn't appear to be available from any streaming services.
Add this movie to your Watchlist to get notified when it's available.
Description
  • Release Date
    1989
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 45 min
  • Language
    Hindi
  • IMDB Rating
    7.1  (342)