Shontaan

About the film

Shontaan (Bengali pronunciation: [ʃon.tan]; transl. Offspring) is a 2024 Indian Bengali-language action-legal drama film 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 and Ahona Dutta play other pivotal roles, with Kharaj Mukherjee and Subhashree Ganguly in extended appearances. It revolves around a poignant courtroom battle between Saradindu and his self-centric son Indranil.

Jeet Ganguli composed the music of the film. Manas Ganguly is the director of photography and MD. Kalam is the editor. It released in the theatres on 20 December 2024 on the eve of Christmas to positive reviews from the audience and critics alike. Grossing over ₹10.02 crore, it ran in the theaters for over 100 days and emerged as a superhit at the box office.

Plot

The film depicts the tussles and difficulties in the troubled relationship between a son and his aged, ailing parents. Saradindu is an old man, battered down and tired from the daily struggles of life. He lives with his wife Mala who suffers from severe arthritis. Their son Indranil is a self-centric and selfish man who doesn't care about his parents. He works in a multinational company. With a high income, he lives a life of luxury with his wife Ria, and his son Pablo, away from his parents. He travels in a Mercedes, parties frequently with his colleagues, goes on international holidays, but is reluctant to provide time for his parents or to pay for his ailing mother's knee surgery when her health deteriorates.

When Saradindu goes to Indranil to ask for money for Mala's surgery, he humiliates his father and denies to give any financial assistance. He declares that he has many other important expenses and can't give money for his mother's surgery. In profound agony and rage, Saradindu files a case against his son in court, on the grounds of ill treatment and neglect of old parents. Indrani fights for Saradindu against Indranil's lawyer, Bikash Munsi.

But things take a turn when Mala, torn between her moralities and her responsibilities as a mother and a wife, chooses to prioritize her motherhood over her principles. She asks her husband to withdraw the case against her son despite all their suffering because she can't see her son getting hurt. But Saradindu insists on sticking by his decision in order to teach a lesson to his son for taking his parents for granted. The story further illustrates the emotional drama between Indranil and his old, helpless parents, which unfolds inside and outside the courtroom. Tragedy intensifies when the turmoil takes a toll on Mala's health and she passes away. Although late, Indranil realises his mistakes at the end and Saradindu forgives him because he had promised so to his late wife.

Production

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

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.

Music

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.

Release

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

Shontaan is streaming on the Bengali OTT platform Hoichoi.

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 Subhashree.

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, Subhashree and Ritwick for their acting skills.

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