Putulnacher Itikatha (The Puppet's Tale) [Movie Review]: A Haunting Bengali Drama 2025

Putulnacher Itikatha (The Puppet's Tale) unfolds in a remote Bengal village on the cusp of change. Adapted from Manik Bandyopadhyay’s novel, it follows Dr. Shashi (Abir Chatterjee), a modern doctor whose efforts to heal villagers are repeatedly thwarted by their blind faith. As illnesses and tragedies mount, misfortune is blamed on astrological “bad hours” rather than medical care. This clash of reason versus superstition forms the film’s haunting core.

Visuals and Direction – Lyrical Cinematography

Lyrical camera work and a haunting score set the tone.

Director Suman Mukhopadhyay’s style is quietly powerful. His camera “meanders through dusty plains and uphill trails,” echoing Shashi’s uphill struggle. Sayak Bhattacharya’s striking cinematography often frames the village in poetic imagery: for example, Shashi seen in a boat surrounded by fireflies – their tiny lights amid darkness poignantly underscore the village’s quiet despair. Tinni Mitra’s crisp editing and Prabuddha Banerjee’s evocative score ensure even silence is charged – as one critic notes, they “turn every silence into a simmering conflict,” amplifying the film’s undercurrent of despair.

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Performances – A Strong Ensemble

Powerful, nuanced performances animate every character.

The film rests on a quietly potent ensemble. Abir Chatterjee gives a richly textured turn as Dr. Shashi, a man split between ethical conviction and growing disillusionment. Jaya Ahsan dazzles as Kusum, conveying sensuality and yearning with startling precision. Parambrata Chattopadhyay adds breezy charm as Kumud, Shashi’s college friend who now headlines a rural theatre troupe. Surangana Bandopadhyay brings a soft, dignified presence to Moti (Kusum’s sister-in-law), while Ananya Chatterjee is striking as Sen Didi—both supporting actresses deepen the film’s emotional palette. Dhritiman Chatterjee, in a brief but unforgettable appearance, plays the village pundit who serves as Shashi’s ideological foil.

Adaptation and Context – Historical Backdrop

Faithful to the novel, enriched by a wartime setting.

Mukhopadhyay’s film honors the spirit of Bandyopadhyay’s novel while adding his own layers. Notably, he shifts the timeline to 1941–42, on the eve of World War II and the devastating Bengal famine. This historical backdrop is felt but not overbearing: even as distant bombs loom, life in Gaodiya village remains frozen in its old rhythms. The director never romanticizes rural life; instead, he lays bare its rituals, patriarchy, and quiet cruelties with “poetic precision”.

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Conclusion – Poignant Finale

An unforgettable drama about tradition, destiny, and despair.

Anchored by Sayak Bhattacharya’s haunting visuals and a deliberate, melancholic pace, Putulnacher Itikatha delivers a powerful meditation on fate and unfulfilled desires. Critics have given it high marks (around 7.5 out of 10 stars) for its artistry and emotional depth. Ultimately, this Bengali drama stands as what one reviewer calls "a poignant reminder of how people become puppets—trapped by fate, tradition, and their own unrealised desires".

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5)