THE UNDERGROUND CHAMBER (PATALGHAR)
Directed by: Abhijit Chaudhuri
Written by: Abhijit Chaudhuri, Dipanwita Ghosh Mukhurjee.
With: Biplab Chatterjee, Joy Sengupta, Soumitra Chatterjee
Country: India
Year of Production: 2002
Running Time: 141 minutes
Subtitled: YES
Suitable for ages 7+

Based on a children’s novel, Abhijit Chaudhuri’s debut has as much to offer adult viewers as its does young audiences. All the classic ingredients of comic-book adventure are here: aliens, a spaceship, pirates, a mad scientist and his mysterious invention. Add to this the influence of Satyajit Ray’s filmic fairy tales, some of Bengal’s finest character actors and surreal Brothers Quay-like visuals and you have a fascinating and enjoyable experience.

The film revolves around the search for a secret weapon created over 150 years ago by Aghor Sen (Soumitra Chatterjee). After Dr Bhoonath (Joy Sengupta) discovers Anghor’s old diary, in which the scientist describes his invention, young Karitk, the sole inheritor of Aghor house, quickly finds himself the centre of attention from those looking for the weapon, including sinister arms cartel boss Begum (Mita Vashischt). As if things weren’t weird enough a mad-cap alien called Vik (Biplab Chaterjee) turns up for the final showdown.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney