The ‘Kurosawa effect’ in cinema refers to when different individuals provide markedly different yet equally plausible versions of the same event. This phenomenon, also known as the ‘Rashomon Effect’, creates a challenge in discerning the truth from falsehood.
In the web series ‘Sade Sholo’, a dialogue between police officer Altaf (Imtiaz Varshan) and labor leader Ghaffar (Shaheed Ali) serves as a reminder that our lives are intertwined with politics, influencing our success, failure, survival, and demise. The series explores the interconnections between politics, economy, power, and various aspects of our lives. ‘Sade Sholo’, released on the Hochichi OTT platform on August 16, is based on a narrative centered around death and its consequences, produced by Ali Afzal Ujjwal.
The elite capital hotel, Violet Inn, boasts an exclusive floor named ‘Sade Sholo’, frequented by the affluent and VIPs for deals, leisure, and sometimes even honeytraps. Following the tragic collapse of the Empire Shoe Factory building, resulting in the death of over 300 workers and injuries to more than 700, lawyer Ashfaq Reza from the Kepler Builders Group visits ‘Sade Sholo’ with his girlfriend Natasha the night before a crucial hearing. Journalist Rini, with a history of conflict with Ashfaq Reza, arrives at ‘Sade Sholo’ aiming to ensnare him in a honeytrap and obstruct his next day’s hearing.
The intricate web of plots involves Rakib, a member of Kepler’s group who conspires against them, and ADC Altaf, responding to a call from his former girlfriend Rini. Amidst these machinations, Natasha is found dead in room number 1652, the same room she shared with Ashfaq Reza. The series delves into the mystery of Natasha’s demise, the identity of the murderer, and the circumstances surrounding her death. The answers to these questions await viewers who watch the entire series.
Unlike typical suspense productions, ‘Sade Sholo’ opts for a distinct absence of groovy background music. This departure includes a rhythmic auditory experience characterized by continuous beats, an innovation previously unseen in Bangladeshi serials. Nevertheless, scenes featuring dialogues without background music, coupled with foley and ambient sounds, somewhat diminish the overall appeal of the work.
The dialogues tend towards clichéd expressions, requiring the narrative’s suspense to escalate in the absence of background music. An instance of mismatched lip synchronization is observed in the opening scene featuring Natasha. The dubbing also displays errors, such as when Altaf says, “What is it?” in the second episode, and then, in the third episode, he says, “What happened?”.
While it remains uncertain how deeply ‘Sade Sholo’ will resonate with the audience, director Yashir Al Haq strives to present a contemporary narrative despite some limitations and imperfections. Reflecting upon tragic events like the ‘Rana Plaza’ disaster, the Cezanne Group factory fire victims, and those who have perished due to corporate negligence, ‘Sade Sholo’ achieves a noteworthy impact on our thoughts, marking a significant achievement.
