Travel back to 1965, and find yourself in the lively streets of Kolkata. In the movie Kabuliwala, Mithun Chakraborty takes on the role of Rehmat, a character who shares a touching tale of fatherly affection for the delightful Mini, portrayed by the talented child artist Anumegha Kahli. This film beautifully captures the timeless essence of love that knows no boundaries, weaving a heartwarming narrative against the vibrant setting of Kolkata.
About Kabuliwala
How often have we witnessed Rabindranath Tagore’s heart-wrenching tale brought to life on the big screen? Whether it’s the compelling portrayal by Chhavi Biswas or the later performances by Balraj Sahni, along with various renditions of the original Afghan dry fruit seller who befriends a young girl in Kolkata, the profound impact of the story is sure to bring tears to your eyes.
In this version, guided by director Suman Ghosh (known for films like “Kadambari” and “Basu Poribar“), we see a portrayal that mirrors the gradual shifts in society while staying true to the essence of the original story and the inherent innocence of the main character.
Mithunda delivers a stellar performance, arguably the best of her career, as she skillfully navigates the challenging transitions of her character. She captures Rahmat’s slyness and arrogance with finesse. Meanwhile, Rehman’s portrayal of innocence is so finely tuned that any dark interpretations of his connection to little Mini are quickly dispelled.
Filmed in the charming streets of Kolkata, Kabuliwala is truly powered by its main actor. Mithun’s expressive body language, the joy in his eyes while dancing with little Mini, and the tears that well up when Mini fails to recognize him at the end reminded me of the performances by Chhavi Biswas, Ashok Kumar (in Aashirvaad), and Balraj. It brought back memories of Sahni’s acting. In the end, Mithun adopts the Kabuliwala character as his own.
Mini’s dad, Aurobindo, gets a fascinating makeover in this version – he’s way more involved now. Abir Chatterjee takes on the role of Mini’s loving and righteous father. His kindness knows no bounds, and even though he may not be as enthusiastic about parenting as his wife Sneha (played by Sohini Ghosh), he’s still a dedicated dad to his little girl.
Suman Ghosh has skillfully organized the ancient scenario in the film. The retelling of Tagore’s classic story is authentic, yet not overly reverential. Tagore would likely appreciate Suman Ghosh’s treatment of his short story, particularly Mithun’s interpretation of Rahman’s character. However, the comedic element involving Aurobindo’s two domestic helpers can be bothersome, fortunately, it’s kept to a minimum.
Indradeep Dasgupta’s music is enjoyable, although it doesn’t quite reach the level of Salil Chaudhary’s “Aye Mere Pyare Watan” in Hemen Gupta’s 1961 film “Kabuliwala.”
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