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Movie Overview
| Title | Bulbbul |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2020 |
| Runtime | 1h 34m |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Horror, Suspense, Mystery |
Movie Cast
| Actor | Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Tripti Dimri | Bulbbul Chaudhary |
| Avinash Tiwary | Satyajeet Thakur |
| Varun Buddhadev | Little Satya |
| Paoli Dam | Binodini Chaudhary |
| Rahul Bose | Thakur Indranil Chaudhary / Mahendra Chaudhary |
Storyline
A child bride grows up to be an enigmatic woman presiding over her household, harboring a painful past as supernatural murders of men plague her village.
Bulbbul Movie Summary & Timeline
| Scene | Details |
|---|---|
| Child Bride | In 1881 Bengal, five-year-old Bulbbul is married to wealthy landlord Indranil. She forms a close bond with Satya, Indranil’s younger brother, setting the stage for future emotional conflicts. |
| Growing Friendship | Bulbbul and Satya bond over scary stories of a witch with twisted feet (“Chudail”), which sparks jealousy in Binodini and suspicion in Indranil. |
| Satya Sent Away | Manipulated by Binodini, Indranil sends Satya to London to separate him from Bulbbul, believing there is a secret romance brewing between them. |
| Bulbbul’s Punishment | Indranil brutally beats Bulbbul and mutilates her feet, claiming she betrayed him. She is left bedridden and under Binodini’s care, highlighting the patriarchal oppression theme. |
| Mahendra’s Attack | While recovering, Bulbbul is attacked and killed by Mahendra. Binodini covers up the incident, maintaining the suspense and horror element. |
| Rebirth of the Chudail | Bulbbul mysteriously returns, empowered by goddess Kali. The red moon symbolizes her transformation into a vengeful Chudail who punishes men abusing women. |
| Mysterious Deaths | Years later, abusive men in the village start dying mysteriously. Satya returns from London to investigate the deaths, adding suspense and intrigue. |
| Doctor Sudip’s Secret | Dr. Sudip, visiting Bulbbul regularly, knows her secret and quietly supports her mission of justice, adding depth to secondary characters. |
| Satya’s Suspicion | Initially suspecting Dr. Sudip as the killer, Satya eventually realizes that Bulbbul herself is the Chudail punishing abusive men. |
| The Fire | During a confrontation, a forest fire engulfs Bulbbul. She appears to die, yet smiles at Satya, symbolizing her supernatural power and control over justice. |
| Indranil’s Return | A year later, Indranil returns to the empty mansion. Bulbbul appears with a smirk, implying that her vengeance and presence are not yet over, leaving a lingering suspense. |
IMDB Rating – 6.6/10
Where To Watch
Where To Watch
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Netflix | Available to stream (Subscription Required) |
Note: Streaming availability may vary based on your region. Check Netflix for official streaming or rental options.
Bulbbul (2020) Facts & Trivia
Bulbbul (2020), directed by Anvita Dutt and released on Netflix, is rich in symbolism and inspired by Bengali folklore and literature. Here are some lesser-known facts and inspirations behind the film:
- Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore: The story has strong thematic similarities to Tagore\’s novella Nastanirh (adapted into Satyajit Ray\’s 1964 film Charulata) and the novel Chokher Bali. Characters Binodini and Mahendra share names and complex relationships with their literary counterparts.
- The Bawali Rajbari Mansion: The film was primarily shot over 33 days in the Bawali Rajbari mansion, located around 30 km from Kolkata in Nodakhali. This historic location was also featured in Rituparno Ghosh\’s Chokher Bali.
- The Chudail (Demon Woman): The supernatural being in the film is a Churel, a South Asian folklore creature representing aggrieved women who die due to childbirth or in-law abuse. These spirits seek revenge, particularly on male family members.
- Artistic & Cinematic Influences: The visual style of the film draws from European painters like Caravaggio, Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma, and photographers such as Man Ray. Lighting inspiration also came from Satyajit Ray’s poster for Devi.
- The Meaning of Satya: In Hindi, Satya means \”truth.\” Ironically, the character is blind to the atrocities around him due to his western education and patriarchal upbringing, making his name an oxymoron.
- Backward-Facing Feet: The iconic backward-facing feet of the Chudail are explained as a result of Bulbbul’s brutal beating and mutilation by her husband, grounding the folklore in a real-life act of abuse.
- Symbolism of \”Ululudhvani\”: The high-pitched ululation sound made by women (ululudhvani) is used at Bulbbul\’s child marriage and at the film’s climax when she reveals herself as the Chudail. Director Anvita Dutt interprets it as a warning to ward off evil, turning the call back on abusive men.
- A First for Indian Cinema: The film pays homage to women filmmakers in India. The first female director was Fatma Begum, who made the fantasy film Bulbul-e-Paristan in 1926, pioneering female-led storytelling in Indian cinema.
