A widow with nothing to lose seduces her friend’s husband in colonial 19th century Bengali society. This is the storyline of a novel written by Rabindranath Tagore called Chokher Bali(Grain of Sand). The book was made into a movie and the dangerous widow, Binodini, was played by none other than the lovely Aishwarya Rai, Miss World, and considered a rising star internationally, according to Time magazine.
Though the movie makes crucial departures from the book which the author could not have done due to early Victorian period that it was written in, yet the movie remained true to the theme of exploring a frustrated woman’s psyche that deliberately goes down the road of self-destruction hurting the very people who love her.
Binodini is a young widow who is brought back to Calcutta by her mother’s best friend from an obscure village and she quickly befriends the daughter in law. As time passes she uses her beauty and wit to seduce the man of the house (Mahendra). But once he is ensnared in her web she treats him with utmost disdain.
Having conquered the heart of a man she turns her affection towards his friend Bihari; man of noble character and integrity whose philanthropic spirit and calm attitude seem a direct contrast to Mahendra's self-absorbed and churlish personality.
Knowing that her affections would not be reciprocated by the elusive Bihari and having been thrown out of the house by Mahendra's mother on account of her ruining Mahendra's marriage, Binodini returns to her village a frustrated widow with a craving for riches that she had grown accustomed to while living in Calcutta.
Bewitched by her beauty and vivacious personality Mahendra leaves his docile wife and ill mother behind and follows Binodini around as she journeys through northern India. Blinded by insatiable desires he stalks her every step hoping and praying for a moment when she would weaken and let him seduce her.
Binodini, however treats him more like a piggy bank sponsoring her trips as she searches for Bihari and remains aloof to his amorous gestures, making him more obssessive in his desire to posess her.
Ashalata is the naïve wife who finally grows into a self-assured woman due to the tragedy the falls on her. Newly married she merely lives to please her husband and having lead a sheltered life falls prey to Binodini’s false gestures towards friendship.
Once her husband leaves her for another woman, she shows inner strength to rise beyond her own sufferings and looks after her grief stricken mother-in-law and earns respect not only in the eyes of her mother-in-law but also the servants.
Article comments
1 - SFC SKI
Indian food and Bollywood actresses, 2 of the great things to come out of India. I have toknow, is there a singing and dance musical number? Every other big time Bollywood film seems to have one whether it fits teh plot or not.
2 - swingingpuss
No, this movie is very far from the typical Bollywood potboiler. Do check it out on Netflix.
3 - SFC SKI
Thanks, every once in a while I stumble across a good Indian film on TV or for sale on DVD, even at places like Wal-Mart, where I bought a copy of "Asoka". I think slowly but surely, more good films from around the world are becoming easy to find out about and obtain.
I haven't done Netflix, because most of my time is spent out of the country. In Germany, however, many films are available for rent, I will look this one up when I get back there.
4 - swingingpuss
Well you could visit the local Indian store and get the movie.
BTW, Asoka had me snoozing ;)
5 - SFC SKI
I agree, it did drag, but the fight scense were good, and the leading actress kept my attention. Are green or hazel eyes common in India, or is it a trick of the light?
There are several Indian markets where I currently reside, as well as back in Germany, I'd never thought ot look for films there.
Having lived and worked in the Arabian Gulf region, I met several people from India, and one of my colleagues lived in Delhi for two years. Everything they told me makes me want to visit, but not during the monsoons. I really need to learn more of the language, All I can remember right now is "namaste".
All this talk of India has made me hungry, alas there are no all-night curry shops in this part of the country.
6 - swingingpuss
Some North Indians do have colored eyes on account of Aryan and Greek bloodlines
7 - SFC SKI
Interesting. Those Greeks and Aryans sure got around. In Iraq I saw more than a few natives with blue or green eyes, some with very red hair as well.
Wonderful what a little "miscengenation" can do.
8 - Aaman
No, that's because of the 'reptilians';)
9 - Rare
I have seen this movie and is as intresting as the review is presented. I felt this movie a bit complex to a normal movie watcher.
10 - rohin
random tidbit: chokher bali literally translates from bengali into english as "sand in eye" ; bali means "sand" and chokher loosely means "of the eye" but in context, it means sand in the eye...
and also, i love aishwarya rai --- the leading actress in this film, though i have yet to see this film or another of her acclaimed movies -- Raincoat (which is on my netflix queue)...she was also in Bride and Prejudice which is a good primer for bollywood and a campy spoof on just about everything in movies. i recommend it for those who want an evening of light entertainment.
11 - Bob A. Booey
This picture's not as hot.
But this woman already accounts for more worldwide box office and more fans than any actress in Hollywood today. Bollywood is crazy huge, I read.
That is all.
12 - geet
Choker bali is indeed a good watch. Acting is sublime and powerful, tough storyline drags it is definetly thumbs up.