A poetic parable and a realistic drama set in a small coastal village in rural Odisha, Bijaya Jena’s Abhaas (/Prologue; 1997) is both a sweeping cross-generational tale of an aristocratic zamindar family and a portrayal of the peasants’ lives. It delicately explores complex human emotions, touching upon themes of lost youth, love, adultery, and even near-incestuous relationships in a subtle and thought-provoking manner.
The characters oscillate between the best and worst aspects of human nature, guided by the freedom of choice that the director has meticulously crafted for them. This creative liberty ensures that clichés are avoided, and events remain unpredictable. Abhaas immerses viewers in a world that is as grey and uncertain as reality itself. The drama remains engaging as the characters navigate their imperfect choices with individualistic liberty.
The story unfolds within a dilapidated mansion that once held great glory, now inhabited by four individuals. The soft-spoken yet liberal landlord, Ray (Murali), resides with his wife, Sulochana (Ashima Singh), and two close relatives who have been supported by the couple. Chandra (Akshay Anand) is an idealistic poet, a sensitive young man, while Kokila (played by the director herself) is a young widow living in traditional simplicity yet enjoying a position of privilege due to the family’s generosity.
Abhaas carefully introduces these characters through a pivotal scene: the zamindar’s daughter visits her parents, accompanied by her young son, Rabi. The boy quickly grows fond of both Chandra and Kokila. As the trio explore local fairs and waterfalls together, subtle hints emerge that Kokila and Chandra share a bond deeper than just poetry. Despite her widowhood, Kokila is educated, well-respected, and entrusted with managing the family’s accounts and overseeing the household.
However, into this seemingly harmonious world, Jena introduces a dark and unsettling twist. Chandra inadvertently discovers that Ray is engaged in a clandestine, illicit relationship with Kokila—one that appears to be semi-consensual, rooted in obligation rather than desire.
From this point, the film becomes a meditation on guilt, conscience, lost love, and feminist compromise. It blends brutal realism with poetic lyricism, delivering a narrative that is both deeply moving and unpredictable. The story’s visual beauty and spiritual depth stand out, elements that have been missing from Indian cinema for some time. The script is layered with subtle details—depicting the silent suffering of Kokila alongside the oppressive servitude of the local peasantry.
There are unforgettable, tender moments between Chandra and Kokila, whose silent love affair is both heartbreaking and profound. Their relationship, though doomed, evokes deep empathy, even from the most cynical of viewers.
Visually, the film is a masterpiece. The cinematography employs colors as though painting on canvas, with original locations replacing artificial sets. The sparse yet haunting musical score by the late classical musician Anand Modak adds to the film’s poetic quality. The story is seen through the eyes of young Rabi, who witnesses Kokila and Chandra’s fleeting moments of joy. Years later, as a teenager returning from England, he confronts the shattered remnants of his family, forcing him to seek his own philosophical understanding of the past.
Abhaas is a bold yet discreet exploration of themes such as adultery, illicit abortions, and miscarriages of justice—woven into a narrative that captures the paradoxes of humanity and rural India. Each character is given depth, making them feel natural and profoundly human. Murali and Jena deliver standout performances, though every actor contributes to the film’s authenticity.
Ultimately, Abhaas is a sublime piece of cinema, offering a nuanced appraisal of Indian culture—its virtues and vices balanced precariously. Whether depicting scandal-mongering peasants or a guilt-ridden zamindar, the film maintains a refined, sophisticated tone. Its greatest strength lies in its deeply human characters, their raw emotions, and the breathtakingly original setting.
Shot immaculately by Neelaabh Kaul, Abhaas captures not just the visuals but the very essence of its setting. The film allows viewers to almost taste and smell the richness of its themes—whether in the lush green rice fields or the metaphorical river that symbolizes the eternity of time and human existence.
Abhaas on IMDb
