The narrative of Chatrak moves away from linear storytelling to build a surrealist portrait of a changing city. The plot follows (played by Sudip Mukherjee), a successful Bengali architect who returns to Kolkata after spending years building a lucrative career in Dubai. Drawn back by a massive real estate boom, Rahul begins overseeing a mammoth construction site, only to find himself disillusioned by the soulless, chaotic concrete landscape swallowing his homeland.
Most mainstream searches yield results about romance or social drama. Chatrak is different. The mushroom ( chatrak ) is a symbol of decay and regeneration. Jayasundara uses it to ask a terrifying question: If we destroy the soil of our heritage, what grows in its place? In the film, the fungus is not just biological; it is a manifestation of repressed guilt and the rot beneath the glittering skyscrapers of New Kolkata.
Vimukthi Jayasundara (Winner of the Caméra d'Or at Cannes for The Forsaken Land )
But Chatrak is not driven by a linear narrative. It is driven by . The film creates a disorienting atmosphere where the line between reality and hallucination blurs. Why are there mushrooms growing everywhere? What do the naked men wandering the site represent? The film demands that you interpret these symbols yourself. Bengali Movie Chatrak
, it achieved a rare feat: it was an Indian Bengali-language feature helmed by a Sinhalese artist, bridging two cultures through a singular, uncompromising vision. The Story: A Modern Jungle Set in present-day Kolkata, the film follows
However, looking back, reducing the film to mere controversy does a disservice to the art. Paoli Dam plays a pivotal role that anchors the film’s emotional core amidst the surrealism. Her performance is raw and uninhibited, not just physically, but emotionally. She represents the worldly, messy reality that clashes with Rahul’s detached, intellectual existence. The controversy has long faded, but the power of her performance remains.
The film operates largely as a hallucinatory journey, split between the chaotic urban landscape of Kolkata and a mystical, remote forest near a border. 1. The Concrete Jungle (Kolkata) The narrative of Chatrak moves away from linear
As tensions rise, Bapi and Lolita find themselves at a crossroads. Will they be able to overcome their struggles and build a better future, or will the circumstances tear them apart?
The mushroom ( chatrak ) is the film’s core metaphor. While developers bulldoze forests and erect soulless high-rises, nature fights back in unexpected, eerie ways—through fungi breaking through plaster and cement.
One of the standout aspects of Chatrak is its thoughtful exploration of themes that are both universally relatable and deeply rooted in the Bengali experience. The film's portrayal of Abhijit's struggles to find his place in the world, his nostalgia for a bygone era, and his desire for meaningful connections will resonate with audiences of all ages. Most mainstream searches yield results about romance or
The two stories intersect when Rahul discovers the woman. Their encounter leads to an intense, largely non-verbal relationship—a raw mix of curiosity, lust, and mutual incomprehension. Meanwhile, the city outside continues its relentless, soulless construction. Soumitra Chatterjee appears in a brief, powerful role as a blind, philosophical singer who comments on the transience of life and creation.
Another recurrent tension is between visibility and erasure. Characters attempt to assert themselves — through movement, speech, or physical exposure — only to be marginalised by indifferent surroundings. The film gestures toward class and cultural displacement without spelling out policy or history; instead it lets the audience feel their imprint through textures: a half-built concrete block, a sterile hospital room, a public space that refuses intimacy.
The story shifts when Rahul begins a search for his long-lost brother, who is rumored to have gone mad and now lives in the forest, sleeping in trees. This search for a "primitive" existence serves as a stark contrast to Rahul’s urban life, where he is involved in massive construction projects that displace local communities. The film's dual timelines eventually converge, exploring the blurred lines between sanity, urban development, and the loss of identity.
When the Indian Bengali film (internationally titled Mushrooms ) debuted at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival under the Directors' Fortnight section, it sent shockwaves through both global art-house cinema and the traditional landscape of Indian filmmaking. Directed by acclaimed Sri Lankan filmmaker Vimukthi Jayasundara , the movie presents a deeply philosophical, hallucinatory exploration of rapid urbanization, existential displacement, and human connection.