Volume 14 Issues 2 February, 2024
Violence against women, also known as gender-based violence, is a serious global issue. It refers to any act of violence that results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women.One such movie based on this theme is “Bulbbul ” released in 2020 in Indian Hindi-language on online platform Netflix.
The story is set in 19th century Bengal and revolves around a young girl named Bulbbul who is married off to Indranil, a wealthy lord, when she is barely five years old. She is close with Satya, Indranil’s youngest brother, who is closer to her age. Bulbbul and Satya grow up together, telling each other stories of a witch (“chudail”).
Twenty years later, Satya returns home from London. In the interim, Indranil’s mentally-challenged twin brother Mahendra was killed in what is believed to be a chudail’s attack. His widow Binodini now lives in an outhouse. Indranil has left the village and Bulbbul has taken over his responsibilities. The village doctor, Sudip, regularly visits to check Bulbbul’s feet due to an incident she refuses to discuss. When another man is killed, Satya suspects Sudip. Meanwhile, Bulbbul is informed by a village boy that his mother has committed suicide after her husband chose his second wife over her; Bulbbul seeks out the man. In flashbacks, it is revealed that Binodini had been jealous of Indranil and Bulbbul and hinted to him that Bulbbul had feelings for Satya. With his mind poisoned, Indranil sent Satya to London to separate the two.
Following this, there is a supernatural change in Bulbbul — she returns with a mission to help the women in her village fight back against injustice. She goes through a symbolic transformation each time, represented by a blood-red moon which indicates that the goddess Kali is supporting her. She punishes men who abuse, murder, or take advantage of girls by killing them; she is in fact the chudail the villagers attribute the killings to, distinguished by backward feet. Bulbbul also killed Mahendra. In the present day, Satya is escorting Sudip to Calcutta. The driver of the carriage (the village boy’s father Bulbbul had been seeking) is killed by the chudail, making Satya realise that Sudip is innocent. Satya shoots the woman and Sudip realises Bulbbul is the chudail. During a brawl with Sudip, Satya accidentally sets the forest on fire and also discovers that Bulbbul is the chudail. Upon realizing this, he cries in agony, while Bulbbul takes refuge on a tree and is slowly engulfed by the flames. A year later, Indranil returns to his empty estate. Satya has departed, guilt-ridden for what happened to Bulbbul and feeling like he too was becoming like his brothers. That night, Indranil is awoken by Bulbbul, who smirks at him, hinting that she will kill him as revenge.
Bulbbul is a thought-provoking and visually captivating film that raises important questions such as child marriage, domestic violence, and patriarchal oppression. It challenges traditional gender roles and explores the complexities of female agency and resistance.
The film effectively uses supernatural elements to convey deeper social and psychological truths. Bulbbul’s transformation into a mythical figure represents the awakening of female power and the fight against injustice.
To conclude –
“Bulbbul” : It may very well be the first movie of its class, Bengali Goth horror aceing all it’s elements, the fair maiden, the older woman, the predatory male, a haunted palace, night journeys and fascinating psychological overlay. Don’t expect a gripping thriller.The movie, like it’s sublime protagonist, saunters; with elegance, allure and a lot of style. Even in scenes that are unsettling. And in the end you are both enamored and beleaguered. But the next day, you think about it and smile. What a triumph! Brava!
