Sujoy Ghosh's Epic Thriller 'Ahalya' Starring Radhika Apte

Sujoy Ghosh's Epic Thriller 'Ahalya' Starring Radhika Apte Will Leave You Shivering All Over

When a film is made well, it usually transcends barriers of language and culture. That's why people across the world, including Hollywood legends like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, could enjoy Satyajit Ray's work. Sujoy Ghosh's 14-minute short film hits the same sweet spot and will appeal to everyone who loves good cinema, irrespective of their understanding of Bengali language or culture.
The short film stars Soumitra Chatterjee, Radhika Apte and Tota Roy Choudhury and is titled Ahalya. Interestingly, Soumitra Chatterjee made his acting debut in Apur Sansar, the third part of Ray's Apu Trilogy. While Radhika Apte's Bengali is wobbly at times, the re-telling of one of the most interesting tales from the Ramayana is simply fantastic.
Ahalya refers to the mythical character from the Ramayana who was considered the most beautiful woman in the world and was cursed by her husband after God Indra seduced her. She was finally liberated by Rama.

Director Sujoy Ghosh, who shot to fame with his Vidya Balan-starrer Kahani in 2012, is out with another thriller, a modern retelling of a mythological tale with a feminist spin.
Ahalya, a 14-minute Bengali film made as a part of Royal Stag’s Large Short Films, has legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee, Radhika Apte and Tota Roy Chowdhury in key roles. The film tells the story of what happens when a police inspector, Indra Sen, visits the house of an aged artist, Goutam Sadhu, who is married to a much younger woman, Ahalya.
Just like Kahani had by a strong female protagonist, in Ahalya too, Apte dominates with her portrayal of the sexy and vivacious wife.
In Hindu mythology, Ahalya is the stunning young wife of the much older sage Gautama Maharishi. Enamoured by her beauty, the god Indra comes in the disguise of her husband and seduces her. Learning his wife’s extra-marital affair with Indra (which was a rape according to certain mythological texts), the sage punishes her for infidelity and turns her into a stone.
But in Ghosh’s Ahalya it’s someone else who is turned into a stone. That's where Ghosh makes a statement on our common understanding of extra-marital affairs and infidelity.
With commendable performances by all the three lead actors, Ahalya is a must watch.