Bodhon (A)

The story of a lady who is divided between self-pity and the desire to be a decent mother is told in Bodhon. And the day she decides to adopt a female child and offer her a better life is when the foundation is created. Soon after, her daughter begins to exhibit early indications of autism, setting off her mother's emotional reaction and upsetting the entire family. She finds it incredibly difficult to accept the notion that she must mother an autistic daughter for the rest of her life, and that too, when that girl is not even her own child, despite her husband's attempts to reassure her. Overall, the filmmaker did a pretty fantastic job of handling the sensitive subject of a mother's awakening (bodhon) with child gloves. It is extremely commendable how topics like adoption, autism, and congenital disorders have been addressed. The film never comes across as didactic or theatrical; instead, it takes a natural and balanced approach to its subject matter. And therein is the film's power. When it comes to acting, each actor did their part flawlessly. Yes, there were times when the chemistry between Joy and Arpita appeared to be a little contrived, but despite that, both of them have sailed along in their own circles with vigour. Arpita in particular has done a great job of conveying her inner anguish.