Kichhu Sanglap Kichhu Pralap (English: Dialogue and Delirium) is mostly based on Kolkata’s gossip of the Indian Coffee House off College Street. The perception of capitalism, giving the film communist overtones, that probably appeal to believers in communism and the intellectuals of Kolkata. Where institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are clearly demonized, and capitalism criticized.
Directed and produced by Ashoke Viswanathan, starting Viswanathan, Sanjiban Guha, and Nandini Ghosal in the lead roles. The screenplay is written by Viswanathan collaboratively with Shankar Bhaterjee, Prhalad Chattopadhay, and Mrinmoy Nandi. The legendary Goutam Chattopadhyay, the founder member of Bengali rock band Moheener Ghoraguli, is the music director of the film and appears in a short role. Viswanathan appears as the narrator character of Arup, where Sanjiban Guha is Newton and Nandini Ghosal is Ananya.
Kichhhu Sanlap Kichhu Pralap has generally received a positive vibe from critics and won Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of India and National Film Awards.
The story begins with Newton, who does practically nothing except wandering about and gossiping with his friends. He has a complex relationship with Ananya, very close and yet there are several areas where they can’t see eye to eye. Suddenly Newton decides that he’s going to go into business which is a decision that surprised many, including Ananya. Everyone resolves to help Newton in his business endeavors. But Newton himself is unsure as to what exactly he is going to do. Later Ananya introduces Arup, a screenwriter, to Newton and gradually, he becomes part of Newton’s group. They discuss Newton’s business prospects and resolve to meet Saigalji, a Punjabi businessman, who may be a potential investor. Arup comes close to Ananya who finds in him, a kind of suaveness that she misses in Newton. Arup shows Ananya and Labony some video clips from VHS footage of his wanderings in London. Ananya quarrels with Newton, accusing him of being uncertain and inactive. Arup informs Ananya that he has managed to get an appointment with Saigalji. Newton, too, has been told. Ananya doesn’t seem too interested in the news.
The relationship between Newton and Ananya deteriorates further even as Newton’s friends try to mediate. Although Arup comes close to Ananya, theirs is not a relationship that can replace the earlier one. Besides, Arup’s stories of his trips abroad, of his scripts, and of his numerous contacts make people like Biswajit entertain doubts about him. Arup takes Newton to Saigalji and in a strangely surreal encounter, they decide to invest in vehicles that provide funeral services. Saigalji agrees to make the major investment but insists that Newton immediately spend some money on the publicity. Upon Arup’s persuasion, Newton ends up paying Rs. 10K to Saigalji!
Arup breaks off with Ananya. Ananya is hurt but not as devastated as she was when she broke off with Newton. Later she discovers that Arup is a fraud and the Newton was true. Arup makes an appointment with Newton, promising to give him Rs. 30,000/-at a particular time. But he fails the appointment, going away by train. And, Newton, true to his character, doesn’t wait for Arup, either. No one waits for anyone else.
Read more: Tareque Masud’s Kagojer Phul
