This show is a bit of a weird mix, blending old-school folklore with a modern-day BL setting. It feels like it’s trying to be both ancient and contemporary at the same time. I have to admit, the first four or five episodes really pulled me in, but unfortunately, I just couldn't stay interested as it went on. The whole supernatural plot and the folk story elements got pretty confusing after a while. Luckily, the funny back-and-forth between the characters was enough to keep me watching. The series tries to draw parallels to the legend of Bi-hyung, the Goblin King, but since I don't really know that story, I'm not even going to try to explain it. Altogether, it’s 12 episodes, and each one is about 25 to 30 minutes long. The story kicks off with Geum Bok, a guy from the countryside who moves to the big city because he wants to be an actor, but he immediately gets scammed out of his apartment. He’s stuck sleeping on the streets until he has a random run-in with a stranger who p...
The film is constantly told in 2 parallel timelines. The timelines change in the second half. Madhu is a Chinese food delivery boy who also plays flute in various religious kirtans across the city. Then we have Puti, who is transgender and he lives in eunuch community. The 2 meet, there is attraction and they fall in love much to the anger of the leader Guru-ma. Madhu and Puti decide to run away to another city to seek guidance from a successful transgender who was able to turn her life around and is a very respected school principal. They get good guidance on the sex change operation but they both realize that it will be a long time before they can save any amount of money to get that surgery. Madhu decides to take Puti to his hometown for few days but eventually her secret is out to the family and Puti runs away. Through parallel timelines we learn a bit more of Puti's (born as Parimal) background. He has always been aware of being trapped in a wrong body and liked to dress up as female. How he loved a man but was heartbroken after his love decides to marry his sister. This is when he took the drastic step of leaving home and joining eunuchs. Back to present, Puti gets arrested by police after the local group of eunuchs beat him up for pretending to be them, while he is still a complete man. The ending leaves you shocked and heart broken for the loving couple.
This film is the naked soul of two people who are desperate to seek happiness in a world that won't even allow them a place to live peacefully. The film takes us deep into the world of transgenders and their hearts and gives us an unforgiving glimpse into their plight, a sight that we cannot un-see. There is so much love in the couple. Madhu is confused about his love for the woman he sees trapped in a man's body and is ready to do anything for his love. He protects her constantly with the embrace she deserves and demands. You just cannot ignore the superb performances from its leads. The exceptionally talented Riddhi Sen (who rightfully earned the National award for his performance) plays Parimal as a caged bird knowing it cannot fly. So complete and convincing is the actor's transformation into a gender-transferred entity that on several occasions you wonder is he is actually into crossdressing. At no point you feel that this is an act. it is so real and genuine and a beautiful tribute. This is a performance worth every applaud. and you cannot neglect actor playing Madhu. His confusion, despair, love is forever all on his sleeve and is ready to fight for his love at every opportunity with society, family and anyone else who comes in their way. I am not sure if the english title of the film is appropriate. Puti is not eunuch. He is transgender and looking for a means to become a complete woman but the path she choses is through the group of eunuchs. There are plenty of scenes in the film that make you think deep into your psyche of how you at some point as individual treated eunuchs. The director and maker of the film deserve applause for tackling a taboo topic and giving it the maturity it deserves.
Nagarkirtan is a must watch for its rare performances. It's a very emotional love story at the core devoid of any kind of melodrama. The non-linear structure initially gets time to get used to but eventually works to the advantage. Bengali films are way ahead of their times and quality of cinema that mainstream India films can offer. Be patient, it is slow but this film will reward you with an almost perfect film. (8.5/10)
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