‘Ujjhyo - The Unsaid’ Review - A Brilliant 15-Minute Story

When I first noticed the short film's duration, I wondered "What can be conveyed in just 15 minutes?". But I couldn’t have been more wrong. This film profoundly explores the strained relationship between a father and son, set against the backdrop of the mother's death.

The story begins with Subhro, the son, reluctantly visiting his estranged father after being urged by his elder sister. Their relationship has been fractured since the mother’s passing, and their interaction is filled with tension. When Subhro arrives, he finds his father engrossed in a magazine, a coffee cup by his side—an unusual sight, as his father rarely drinks coffee. This small detail subtly hints at how the father has been coping, perhaps trying to fill the void left by his wife in unexpected ways.

As a dutiful son, Subhro takes it upon himself to clean out the refrigerator and prepare a nutritious meal for his father, following the doctor’s recommendations. He pours love and care into the meal, hoping it might serve as a bridge to reconnect. However, his father’s response is far from what Subhro expected. In a fit of frustration, the father hurls the plate of food to the floor, shattering both the dish and Subhro's hopes.

The sound of the plate smashing jars Subhro from a deep reverie—he had been lost in thoughts of his late mother, triggered by the sight of her belongings. Hurt and bewildered by his father’s rejection, Subhro confronts him, and the two engage in a heated argument. Old wounds are reopened, and both men find themselves teetering on the edge of an emotional outburst.

Just when it seems Subhro might storm out of the house for good, he pauses, unable to fully sever the ties that still bind him to his father. As evening falls, the atmosphere shifts. A quieter, more introspective conversation unfolds between them. Subhro tries to explain his intentions, hoping to break through the emotional wall his father has built since his wife’s death.

But the questions linger: Will the father come to terms with his behavior and the grief he’s been burying? Will Subhro be able to forgive him, or has too much damage been done? And how does all of this connect to the mother’s death—does it hold the key to their healing or their continued estrangement?

This short film masterfully captures the complexities of grief, love, and the unspoken pain that can tear families apart, even in such a brief span of time. Written and directed by Indranil Banerjee, this short film is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, proving that even within a 15-minute runtime, a powerful narrative can be brought to life. Banerjee expertly navigates the intricacies of human emotions, capturing the raw pain, frustration, and longing that define the strained relationship between father and son. His ability to convey so much depth in such a limited time speaks to his skill as both a writer and a director.

The performances of Barun Chanda as the father and Samrat Mukherjee as the son are nothing short of exceptional. Chanda perfectly embodies the emotional distance and quiet suffering of a man who is unable or unwilling to confront his grief. His portrayal is subtle yet effective, revealing layers of vulnerability beneath the surface of his hardened exterior. Mukherjee, on the other hand, skilfully conveys the inner turmoil of a son caught between duty and resentment. His performance is filled with tension, love, and an overwhelming sense of loss. Together, their on-screen chemistry brings authenticity to the troubled father-son dynamic.

Banerjee's direction, combined with these stellar performances, makes the short film not only a poignant exploration of family relationships but also a testament to the power of storytelling. Despite its brevity, the film lingers in the mind, proving that even the shortest of stories can have a lasting impact when executed with such precision and heart.

Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
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Publisher at Midgard Times