Movies: The Puppet's Tale (2025) by Suman Mukhopadhyay: A Poetic Cinematic Elegy of Fate, Desire & Human Fragility

Summary of movie: The Tale of Strings and Shadows

Putulnacher Itikatha (2025) is a quiet cinematic storm — lyrical, unsettling, philosophical, and hauntingly beautiful. Adapted from Manik Bandopadhyay’s seminal novel, the film carries the weight of pre–World War II Bengal, the desperation of a society in moral stagnation, and the internal fractures of a modern man caught in a world drowning in superstition and decay. Under Suman Mukhopadhyay’s attentive and meditative direction, the story becomes a visual poem about fate, desire, masculinity, and the invisible forces that shape human lives like puppets suspended on unseen strings.

The performances from Abir Chatterjee, Jaya Ahsan, Surangana Banerjee, and Parambrata Chattopadhyay imbue every scene with layered emotion. The cinematography creates an atmosphere of dust, rain, moonlight, and spiritual exhaustion — turning the film into a sensorial immersion in the psyche of a man torn apart by expectations, morality, and human weakness.

• A profound cinematic adaptation of a Bengali literary classic: The film preserves the philosophical depth of the novel while heightening its visual magic.

• A cast led by Abir Chatterjee and Jaya Ahsan: Their performances evoke vulnerability, fire, and cultural nuance.

• A story exploring desire, reform, decay, and fatalism: The narrative captures the tension between modernity and superstition in a changing Bengal.

• Suman Mukhopadhyay’s poetic, character-driven direction: He transforms internal turmoil into cinematic language.

• Movie trend – literary adaptations with lyrical realism: The film joins a growing group of introspective, slow-burning dramas.

• Social trend – renewed interest in colonial-era Bengali identity: It reflects India’s cultural moment of revisiting pre-independence narratives.

• Consumer trend – elevated art-house cinema appealing to global festivals: The film fits perfectly within the “festival prestige” segment.

• Awards & nominations – 1 nomination (IFFR): Already recognized on the festival circuit, showing early critical recognition.

Insight: The movie demonstrates how classic literature can be revitalized through atmospheric filmmaking that respects emotional nuance and historical weight.

Why it is trending: A Classic Reborn for a Global Art-House Audience

This film has gained momentum in India and internationally due to its bold yet faithful translation of a beloved novel and its maturity in exploring human contradictions. It stands at the intersection of nostalgia, regional identity, and high cinematic craft — a combination that audiences increasingly crave.

• High anticipation due to the novel’s iconic status: Generations of readers awaited a faithful screen interpretation.

• A director known for culturally rich adaptations: Mukhopadhyay’s reputation adds prestige and credibility.

• Art-house visual language resonating with global festivals: Its style appeals strongly to cinephiles and critics.

• Strong digital buzz around performances: Abir Chatterjee and Jaya Ahsan's portrayals sparked early conversation.

Insight: Films trend when they merge cultural memory, artistic ambition, and emotionally resonant performances.

Why to watch this movie: A Meditative, Powerful, Artistically Mature Experience

This is not a film for passive viewing — it is a film that demands emotional engagement. Its hypnotic imagery, introspective tone, and psychologically rich character arcs make it a deeply rewarding watch for admirers of literary cinema.

• A powerful exploration of masculine vulnerability: It redefines South Asian male portrayals with rare sensitivity.

• Stunning cinematography that feels like visual poetry: The film creates a fully transportive atmosphere.

• Emotionally layered performances: Each actor elevates the story’s philosophical undercurrent.

• A deeply faithful literary adaptation: It honors the text’s spirit while embracing cinematic language.

Insight: Audiences who appreciate contemplative storytelling and art-house realism will find profound emotional value here.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-puppets-tale (UK)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33098141/

Link Review: https://icsfilm.org/reviews/iffr-2025-review-the-puppets-tale-suman-mukhopadhyay/

What Trend is followed: The Resurgence of Literary Art-House Cinema

Across India and worldwide, there is a revival of films rooted in regional literature, emotional psychology, and slow-burning realism — a counterbalance to the dominance of mainstream commercial cinema.

• Return to regional literary classics: These stories provide rich psychological and cultural material.

• Art-house aesthetics meeting digital-age audiences: Slow cinema has found renewed relevance through streaming.

• Philosophical storytelling gaining cultural traction: Viewers increasingly value narrative depth.

• Cinematic realism replacing stylization: Filmmakers are gravitating toward natural textures and authentic environments.

Insight: Films grounded in introspection and cultural history offer viewers a meaningful alternative to spectacle-driven cinema.

Movie Plot: A Study of Fate, Desire & Moral Collapse

At its core, Putulnacher Itikatha is a deeply human story about helplessness in the face of societal forces and personal contradictions. The plot follows Shashi, a Western-educated doctor who returns to his rural village — only to confront its decaying social fabric and his own emotional fragility.

• Shashi’s return to his village: His idealistic worldview clashes violently with entrenched superstition.

• His attraction to Kusum: Desire, guilt, and emotional conflict become a recurring personal torment.

• Village society steeped in ritual and spectacle: The environment suffocates progress and rationality.

• A world gripped by pre-war tension and moral decay: Historical weight permeates every character’s choices.

• Shashi’s internal conflict between reason and despair: His moral worldview slowly unravels.

• Moti’s presence in Shashi’s life: Her vitality contrasts with the village’s stagnation.

• Kumud and the elders as symbols of tradition: They embody the societal forces holding Shashi captive.

Insight: The plot’s emotional power lies in portraying how individuals fracture when caught between ideological ideals and an unchanging world.

Director’s Vision: Suman Mukhopadhyay’s Lyrical Cinematic Adaptation

Mukhopadhyay approaches the adaptation with deep reverence and artistic discipline. His film is not merely a retelling but a reinterpretation that elevates internal conflict into cinematic form.

• A poetic visual style: Every frame is rich with symbolism and emotional resonance.

• Focus on psychological tension: Conversations and silences reveal as much as plot events.

• Faithful preservation of the novel’s essence: He retains the existential dread and social critique.

• Slow-burning pacing for atmospheric immersion: The film invites viewers to sink into its emotional weight.

Insight: A director’s commitment to emotional truth over narrative speed creates a film that lingers in the viewer’s memory.

Themes: Fragility, Fate, Masculinity & Existential Conflict

The film’s themes extend beyond its plot, offering a complex philosophical portrait of a man and a society at a crossroads.

• Masculinity in crisis: Shashi embodies the struggle between societal expectation and internal doubt.

• Tradition vs. modernity: The village represents a world resisting progress.

• Desire and guilt: The characters’ emotional lives are shaped by longing and regret.

• Class, caste, and power dynamics: Social hierarchies trap characters in prescribed roles.

• Fate as an unseen puppeteer: Characters move like marionettes through life’s imposed scripts.

• Existential despair: The story questions whether reform and rationality can exist in a decaying world.

Insight: The film resonates because its themes echo universal human struggles across time and culture.

Key success factors: psychology, performances, visual tone, literary fidelity, emotional depth

These strengths anchor the film’s artistry and audience appeal.

• Powerful lead performances: Abir Chatterjee delivers one of his most complex roles to date.

• Jaya Ahsan’s layered embodiment of Kusum: Her quiet fire and emotional depth enrich the film’s moral tension.

• Atmospheric cinematography: The visuals create a world heavy with meaning and melancholy.

• Faithful literary adaptation: Core themes of the novel remain intact.

• Emotional and philosophical richness: The film invites deep reflection long after the credits roll.

Insight: When strong performances, literary depth, and visual artistry unite, the result is emotionally transformative cinema.

Awards and Nominations: Early Recognition on the Festival Circuit

The film already secured 1 nomination —International Film Festival Rotterdam (2025) – Big Screen Award (Nominee)

This acknowledgment signals strong international reception and positions the film for broader festival success.

Insight: Festival recognition affirms that deeply rooted regional stories can resonate with global audiences when crafted with artistry.

Critics reception: Praise for Performances, Visual Craft & Depth

Critics highlight the film’s beauty, emotional weight, and uncompromising dedication to literary truth.

• Bollyspice praising its mastery: They call it a “masterly literary adaptation anchored by Abir Chatterjee.”

• Regional critics applauding its fidelity to the novel: Many celebrate its courage in tackling philosophical material.

• Cinematography widely acclaimed: The visual palette is considered one of the film’s standout achievements.

Insight: Critics respond strongly to films that combine artistic rigor with deep narrative faithfulness.

Reviews: Audience Applause for Cinematic Poetry

Viewer reactions emphasize the emotional experience and artistic integrity of the film.

• IMDb reviewers praising its haunting storytelling: They celebrate the philosophical weight of the narrative.

• Bengali audiences applauding the adaptation: Many hail it as one of the finest translations of literature to film.

• Cinephiles praising its realism and magical undertones: The blend of grounded drama with lyrical imaging resonates deeply.

Insight: When audiences feel both intellectually challenged and emotionally moved, the film becomes a lasting favorite.

Release Dates

World Premiere: February 6, 2025 (International Film Festival Rotterdam)India Release: August 1, 2025

Insight: Festival-first releases amplify prestige and build critical momentum before theatrical rollout.

What Movie Trend the film is following: The Literary Prestige Cinema Trend

In recent years, India has re-embraced literary adaptations that focus on mood, character psychology, and cultural authenticity rather than commercial spectacle.

Insight: Prestige adaptations reflect growing audience appetite for culturally rooted, emotionally rich storytelling.

What Big Social Trend is following: Revisiting Regional Identity Through Art

The film aligns with renewed interest in pre-independence Bengali identity, subaltern narratives, social critique, and psychological realism.

Insight: Cultural rediscovery helps societies confront contemporary issues through historical reflection.

What Consumer Trend is following: The Art-House Revival

Streaming has rekindled attention toward slow cinema, literary adaptations, and visually rich films, making this movie an ideal fit for global discovery.

Insight: A new generation of viewers seeks immersive, poetic films that stand apart from commercial formulas.

Final Verdict: A Lyrical, Haunting, Artistically Daring Adaptation

Putulnacher Itikatha is a triumph of atmospheric storytelling, philosophical depth, and literary faithfulness. It is a film that rewards patience, contemplation, and emotional courage — offering an unforgettable cinematic encounter for lovers of art-house cinema and Bengali literature.

Key Trend highlighted: Literary art-house cinema anchored in psychological depth.Key Insight: Cinema rooted in existential realism and cultural authenticity holds lasting emotional power.

Similar movies: If You Liked This, You’ll Love…

These films share similar emotional textures, philosophical questions, or lyrical aesthetics.

• Pather Panchali (1955): A poetic reflection on rural life, innocence, and the quiet ache of survival.

• Titas Ekti Nadir Naam (1973): A deeply human portrait of poverty, community, and existential longing.

• The Disciple (2020): A meditative exploration of ambition, spirituality, and artistic burden.

• Court (2014): A quietly devastating tale of systemic decay and moral paralysis.

• Charulata (1964): A delicate study of longing, loneliness, and emotional restraint.

• The Tree of Life (2011): A philosophical, visually transcendental meditation on existence.

• Aparajito (1956): A coming-of-age story about ambition, identity, and responsibility.

Insight: These films reveal a global appetite for introspective storytelling that probes human fragility, societal decay, and the quiet inner battles of the soul.