Bhuvan Shome

Plot

Bhuvan Shome, a widower and a dedicated civil servant - strict, uncompromising - is a "big officer" in the Indian Railways. The background of the film is constructed in the context of a few railway ticket checkers discussing him as a strict, unreasonable officer ("afsar"). It continues with him being described, by the narrator, as a man whose "Bengali"-ness has not been affected by his travels. His apparent age, late 50s, is an important element of his psychology.

Inspired by the idea of hunting, Bhuvan Shome takes a "hunting holiday" to Gujarat. It is quite clear that his expedition is amateurish. He is portrayed as an inept "hunter" rather than a man who knows how to acquire a skill.

His encounter with the young Gouri is fortuitous because it is she who takes care of him and helps "hunt" birds. She helps him through a barren wilderness, takes him home and takes care of him. When he is made to change his clothes because otherwise the "birds will know" and fly away is probably an important part of his transformation from a strict, conformist and aging man to one of a person more open to the stimuli of his environment.

The subsequent hunting sojourn of Gouri and Bhuvan Shome is a lyrical exploration of Bhuvan Shome's transformation. He is not only enamored by the simple beauty of Gouri, but also enchanted by the sights of birds on the lake and in the sky.

His hunt is "successful," but only in a way that reflects Bhuvan Shome's limitations as a man.

Bhuvan Shome is deeply affected by Gouri, who is actually schooled more than he could expect to be in that environment.

When he returns to his office chambers, he is seen to reprieve an offending railwayman. This is a sub-plot that completes the story and context of the initial narration.

Themes

Bhuvan Shome is said to have pioneered the Indian New Wave. It was one of the earliest films to get funded by the National Film Development Corporation of India. The film deals with themes of monotony, solitude, camaraderie, and compassion. It also highlights the rural-urban divide in India. The story of an elite, upper class individual going on a bird hunting expedition harks back to Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game.

Awards