Deep in this forest, a surreal subplot unfolds involving a European soldier (played by Icelandic actor Tómas Lemarquis) and a local youth playing a tense, existential game of survival.
The catalyst for the drama is visceral: Sonny is a heroin addict. But Q transforms this cliché of the “tortured artist” into something monstrous. Sonny isn’t just hiding; he is consumed . He has a massive, weeping abscess on his thigh. To hide from his family and numb the pain, he injects a strange, psychotropic substance derived from a wild, luminescent mushroom growing in the damp concrete crevices of the half-built tower.
"Chatrak" remains a fascinating and frustrating cinematic artifact. It stands as a testament to a filmmaker's bold vision to use cinema as a tool for social commentary on urban development, displacement, and human alienation. However, its legacy is almost entirely overshadowed by the shocking, real sexual act at its core, which ignited a cultural controversy about censorship, morality, and the treatment of women in Indian cinema and society at large. The discussions it sparked about a woman's right to be a "pleasure seeker" on screen challenged deeply entrenched social norms, making "Chatrak" as much a cultural document as a cinematic one. Today, while the uncut film remains elusive and its controversy has faded from headlines, "Chatrak" continues to be cited and discussed as one of the most bold and transgressive examples of Bengali arthouse cinema and an important, if controversial, milestone in the careers of all involved.
: It follows Rahul, an architect who returns from Dubai to Kolkata for a construction project, and his subsequent journey with his girlfriend to find his brother, who is rumored to have gone "mad" and lives in the forest. The Times of India Production Details Description Vimukthi Jayasundara Sudip Mukherjee Sumeet Thakur Tómas Lemarquis Urbanisation vs. Nature, Mental Agony, Alienation Are you interested in learning more about the controversy surrounding its release director's other award-winning works 10 Controversial Bengali Movies That Broke the Stereotypes 29 Aug 2018 — Chatrak Bengali Movie
: Jayasundara was the first Sri Lankan to direct a film in the Bengali language. Prestigious Selection
Chatrak is a cinematic gem that continues to captivate audiences with its timeless story, memorable characters, and exceptional music. The movie's legacy is a testament to the power of Bengali cinema, which has produced some remarkable films over the years.
Chatrak is a film that dares to ask a repulsive yet profound question: Deep in this forest, a surreal subplot unfolds
Filmmaker Vimukthi Jayasundara's "Chatrak" (English: Mushrooms ) is a film that exists in a space of profound artistic ambition and explosive public controversy. As a 2011 Indian Bengali-language erotic drama, it remains a significant, albeit divisive, landmark in the landscape of Indian parallel cinema. The film is best known for its international festival acclaim, including a prestigious screening at the Cannes Film Festival, and for a graphic scene that sparked a nationwide moral panic, leading to its effective ban in India.
The film explores several major themes:
By 2011, Paoli Dam was already famous in Bengali cinema for her bold choices (most notably, Kaalbela ). In , she delivers a career-defining performance that is almost entirely non-verbal. Sonny isn’t just hiding; he is consumed
(British Film Institute) praised its wild and comic moments, while
The film's director, Arabinda Mukherjee, is a veteran of Bengali cinema, known for his sensitive and nuanced storytelling. Chatrak is considered one of his best works, showcasing his ability to balance drama, romance, and music.
: It became widely known—and controversial—for an unsimulated oral sex scene involving lead actress
We see time-lapse shots of actual mushrooms growing out of a mannequin’s head, out of a discarded shoe, out of the concrete floor. Rahul, now alone, sits in the architect’s office staring at a blueprint. He notices a small, dark spot. He touches it. It is soft. It is damp. The city has lost.
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