Shontaan

Shontaan
Directed by	Raj Chakraborty
Screenplay by	Sreejib Additional screenplay: Anuja Chattopadhyay Soumyabrata Rakshit
Story by	Sreejib
Produced by	SVF
Starring	Mithun Chakraborty Anashua Majumdar Ritwick Chakraborty Subhashree Ganguly Kharaj Mukherjee
Cinematography	Manas Ganguly
Edited by	MD. Kalam
Music by	Songs: Jeet Ganguli Background score: Amit Chaterjee
Distributed by	SVF
Release date	20 December 2024 (2024-12-20)
Running time	143 minutes
Country	India
Language	Bengali

Shontaan is a 2024 Indian Bengali-language drama film co-written and directed by Raj Chakraborty. Produced by Shrikant Mohta and Mahendra Soni under the banner of Shree Venkatesh Films, the film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Ritwick Chakraborty and Anashua Majumdar in lead roles, while Sohini Sengupta, Biswajit Chakraborty, Shoma Chakraborty and Ahana Dey play another pivotal roles, with Kharaj Mukherjee and Subhasree Ganguly in the lead roles.

Jeet Ganguli did the music of the film. Manas Ganguly did the editing whereas MD. Kalam handled the editing. It was released in the theatres on 20 December 2024, on the eve of Christmas, to positive reviews from critics alike.

Plot

The film depicts the tussles and difficulties in a falling relationship between a son and his aged, ailing parents. Sharadindu is an old man, battered down and tired from the daily struggles for life. He lives with his wife Mala. His son Indranil is a self-centered and selfish man who works in a multi national company. With a high income, he lives a life of luxury with his wife Ria, away from his parents. He travels on a Mercedes, parties frequently with colleagues, but is reluctant to provide money for his ailing mother's deteriorating health's medical treatments.

When Saradindu goes to his son to ask for money for Mala's operation, Indranil humiliates his father and denies to give any financial assistance. He reasoned that he has a lot of other important expenses and can't give money for his mother's operation. Hurt, in profound agony and rage, Saradindu filed a complaint against his son, on the grounds of ill-treatment of old parents. Indrani fights the case for Sharadindu against Indranil's lawyer, played by Kharaj.

But, things take a turn when Saradindu's wife Mala, torn between her moralities and responsibilities as a mother and a wife, chose to prioritise her motherhood. She asked her husband Saradindu to withdraw the case against her son, despite all their suffering. The story further illustrates the emotional drama between Indranil and his parents, which unfolds inside and outside the courtroom. Although late but still, Indranil realised his mistakes at the end.

Cast

• Mithun Chakraborty as Saradindu Bose
• Anashua Majumdar as Mala, Saradindu's wife
• Ritwick Chakraborty as Indranil, Saradindu and Mala's son
• Subhasree Ganguly as Indrani Sen, Saradindu's lawyer
• Kharaj Mukherjee as Indranil's lawyer
• Sohini Sengupta as Lata, Mala's domestic help
• Biswajit Chakraborty
• Ahana Dutta as Ria Bose, Indranil's wife

Production

Announcement

The first look poster was revealed on 31 October 2024, on the occasion of Kali Puja. The trailer was unveiled on 1 November 2024.

Marketing

As a part of the promotions, the makers visited some old age homes to speak to them about their relationship with their children and how they ended up there. The premiere was on 17 December 2024.

Release

Initially scheduled to release during Durga Puja festivities in 2024, it was delayed to release in the theatres on 20 December 2024.

Music

Shontaan
Soundtrack album by Jeet Gannguli
Released	December 2024
Recorded	2024
Studio	Playhead Studio VM Studio
Genre	Film soundtrack
Length	10:40
Language	Bengali
Label	SVF

The music of the film has been composed by Jeet Ganguli. The lyrics have been penned by Priyo Chattopadhyay and Anindya Chatterjee.

The first song "Thakur Thakbe Kotokkhon" was released on 16 November 2024. The second single "Tomar Akashey" was released on 1 December 2024. The third and the last song "Pablo" was released along with the full album.

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Thakur Thakbe Kotokkhon"	Priyo Chattopadhyay	Amit Kumar, Jeet Gannguli	4:12
2.	"Tomar Akashey"	Anindya Chatterjee	Vishal Mishra	3:26
3.	"Pablo"	Anindya Chatterjee	Abhijeet Bhattacharya	3:02
Total length:				10:40

Reception

Poorna Banerjee of The Times of India rated the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Shontaan is a good film with a strong moral standpoint that definitely leaves the audience with a message. It draws out quite long and could have been slightly tighter during the second half, but solid moments of emotional drama compensate for that." She praised the music, background score and the performance of the whole cast, specially Mithun and Anashua.

Agnivo Niyogi of The Telegraph reviewed the film and noted "With Shontaan, Raj Chakrabarty delivers a family drama that stays with you even after you have left the hall. It takes the well-worn premise of a parent suing their child over charges of neglect but packs in all the right emotions to tug at the heartstrings." Although he mentioned the first half to be draggy and melodramatic with a rushed climax and preachy tone, he praised the acting of the whole cast, specially Mithun, Anashua, Ritwick and Subhasree.

Ranita Goswami of the Hindustan Times rated the film 4 out of 5 stars and opined "Even though the film is based on an old story palette, Raj's storytelling accompanied by the actors' remarkable acting makes this film a family entertainer." She particularly applauded Mithun's seasoned acting besides praising Anashua, Kharaj, Subhasree and Ritwick for their acting skills.

Akash Misra of Sangbad Pratidin reviewed the film and wrote "The film is a mirror to the reality of our present society. Even after coming out from the theatres after all the tears shedding, it will leave a deep longing impact on the viewers." He also praised the acting acumen of Mithun and Ritwick.

Amay Deb Roy of Anandabazar Patrika rated the film 8/10 stars and highlighted "Although the film is based on the old "chanch" of emotional drift and family drama, Raj Chakroborty's direction and storytelling is what that makes this simple story look astounding." He also praised Mithun, Anushua, Ritwick, Subhasree and Kharaj for their seamless acting.

Snigdha Dey of Aajkal reviewed the film and opined "In an unequal fight between the father and his son, "Shontaan" will have a special place in the inner core of our heart. This film will surely force all the parents and children to rethink their relationship and the bond which they share." Besides, she praised Mithun, Ritwick and Anashua for their intensive emotional portrayal and also applauded Subhasree for playing a different role.

External links

• Shontaan at IMDb