Ahalya - the cursed. Review on Ahalya

According to Indian mythology, Ahalya was the most beautiful woman created by God who was married to much older Maharishi Gautama. When Indra(The king of Gods) saw her he was so lust-struck that he wanted seduced her even in her husband’s disguise. It is said that Ahalya could see through Indra’s disguise but reciprocated his offer. The other theory is Ahalya fell prey to Indra’s mischievous act. However, Gautama cursed her to live like a stone and remain invisible to the world for years until or unless she offers hospitality to Rama. Thousand years later while Rama came to wash his feet in river, Ahalya emerged from a stone and get freed from her curse.

Sujoy Ghosh in his short movie Ahalya took the storyline from mythology but here the script unique. Old artist Gautam Sadhu makes accurate dolls of men models for him. One day Police officer Indra Sen comes to him investigating on a missing case and sees his young and beautiful wife Ahalya in awe. The missing person’s doll was seen in the mantelpiece with other same dolls, who Sadhu told was modeling for him. Eventually Sadhu dares him to touch a stone which has magical powers. Sen reluctantly took it in hand. Then Sadhu asked him to take Ahalya’s mobile to her upstairs. When Sen reached to her, he found she addresses him as her husband and asked to hurry away the police officer and return to her. He went to her arms only to find himself cast in a doll like other dolls.

The 14minute Bengali language movie casted Radhika Apte(Ahalya), Soumitra Chatterjee(Gautam Sadhu) and Tota Roy Chowdhury(Indra Sen) in main lead, is so intriguing can give you edge-of-the-chair feeling. The best part is the twist at end. Also it is notable that within a short span its more difficult to narrate your story. Sujoy Ghosh passed the threshold without any hassle. Direction, Script, Screenplay by Sujoy Ghosh, Editing by Namrata Rao is appraisable. You may get similarity of theme with Satyajit Roy's story "Professor Shanku O Aschorjo Putul".

Its 3.6 stars out of 5 from me.:-D