Since its release not too long ago, Aynabaji by Amitabh Reza Chowdhury has been bagging the attention of national and international platforms and has recently brought home the award for best film at the USA’s 11th Seattle South Asian Film Festival. Assuming that most of us have gone to the theatre at least once to grace this gem of a movie with the respect it is due, let’s go over why it may be worth a second viewing.
Sound Track
If the music of Habib, Arnob and Shaan entices you, Aynabaji is a treat to watch just because you get to hear them in surround sound again.
Locations
Never have locations been so aptly used in a movie before. Starting with the tiny, nondescript drama school, to the simple yet artsy home where Hridy, the female protagonist lives with her father, to the breathtaking Buriganga quay, to the very traditional ‘hawaghor,’ each one of these settings reminds you of beauty in its rawest, most mundane forms.
Main Character
The leading protagonist Ayna is portrayed to be very ordinary, behind his more interesting façade of a mimic. The depth and duality of the character has a lot of, subtext, for want of a better word.
Romance
Or the ease with which it flows. Unlike what we are used to seeing, this love affair does not constitute sporadic dancing in a crowded metro city. It is very refreshing to see a naturally pretty Hridy falling for Ayna’s intrinsic simplicity and how their love story ripens amid everyday life. It is a very practical, intelligent sort of love, if you will.
Plot
Even though the movie is a little on the longer side, each sequence is wrought with sentiment- be it suspense, love or resignation. Add the very unconventional climax to that sort of a plot and what you have is a little over 90mins of sheer emotional kaleidoscope.
Character Development
Each character of Aynabaji is both black and white, and very nicely complements the plot about a flawed pattern of punishment in our society. Each takes centre stage at different points of the movie, making individual roles quite indispensable.
Superficiality Levels
The incidents shown in the movie hit very close to home, with easily recognisable locations lending the entire production a very personal look and feel. There are no flying cars or hyper real fight sequences here, thank you very much!
Costumes
This aspect of Aynabaji has a highly synergistic effect on the success of the movie due to the way it enhances the overall set up. The costumes are kept very simple, especially that of Hridy. No glitzy ball gowns anywhere for her, but then again, this princess is hardly a damsel in distress either!