Bengali webseries “Noshtoneer” highlights the less-discussed, more common #MeToo stories

I watched “Noshtoneer”, Season 1 & 2 back-to-back on Hoichoi thanks to SheTheSaga Founder, Vedaprana Puryakastha’s insightful post. Veda raised her concerns about raising a daughter and son. Citing the Bengali webseries “Noshtoneer”, she said how it can be tough sometimes to know the complete truth about our children, especially boys and men—and their sexuality. 

Her post kept playing in my mind much after reading it. I couldn’t stop myself from finally watching it on the Hoichoi platform. Thankfully, the series has English subtitles, and I was set.

A web series that boldly highlights the #MeToo campaign in our daily lives

What took me by surprise was how the very first episode has loud, bold references to the #MeToo movement. The tone is set at the beginning. What was even more surprising was how this was not a story set in the film industry. 

“Noshtoneer” is a story about a regular family – professor, Rishabh Gangopadhyay, his wife, Aparna, and their daughter. Things take a nasty turn when an ex-student puts out a social media post on how Dr. Rishabh, her professor, had sexually molested her. 

This story felt ‘too real’ and it took me back to the #MeToo storm that swept the country. For the first time, women of all ages took to social media to unburden their trauma of being sexually abused and express themselves unabashedly. I remember how my mother, who’s usually reticent about sexual conversations, opened up about her #MeToo story as a child over breakfast. Every woman without exception has a #MeToo story, and in India, where the law enforcement is questionable, the situation is even more dire. 

Thankfully, no tired tropes!

I firmly believe because it’s a woman director, Aditi Roy and woman writer, Samragnee Bandyopadhyay, we don’t see the tired tropes in “Noshtoneer” that we usually see in other so-called feminist movies directed by men.

One, there’s no male saviour trope like in Animal, Mission Mangalyan or Chak De. The women in “Noshtoneer” might have been exploited for their naïveté but there’s no stopping them from taking back their power once they discover the brutal truth. None of the women protagonists are ‘becharis’ who need a man to protect them.

Two, there’s no ‘a woman is a woman’s worst enemy’ trope. The movie is an ode to sisterhood and it’s a joy to see women bonding and friendships take centerstage. Aparna has a solid friend in Namrata, who’s brandished as a bad influence who’s ‘not marriage-material’ by the orthodox folks. We see that solid silver line of sisterhood in the grim times that brings Aparna, Godhuli, Namrata, Suroma and the others.

Three, there’s no ‘good vs. bad woman’ trope. In fact, Roy destroys this tired trope with finesse as we question our skewed narrative of the good woman and man. There’s a scene where the respectable Dr. Rishabh describes Godhuli Basak, his ex-student as ‘spoilt’. He plays upon the ‘bad girl’ image Godhuli has as per societal norms to get away with his heinous actions. 

Four, there is no catering to the ‘male gaze’ under the pretext of realistic or progressive cinema. You can see the world of a difference when a man directs a woman-oriented movie and when a woman filmmaker takes charge. “Noshtoneer” directed by Aditi Roy succeeds where many mainstream movies have failed because it sees the problem from womens’ lens. Rape and gender-based violence are not used as provocative tools to titillate the viewers and cash in on it. 

Yes, there are sexually explicit scenes that are important to the narrative! For example, the intimate scene of Rishabh in the shower induces shock, disgust, and anger as a viewer. I developed an instant, intense hatred for Rishabh. It wasn’t the act of masturbation per se, as much as the context of the scene, which completely rips off the pretty mask off Rishabh’s ugly face. The sexual scenes in “Noshtoneer” are intentionally laid with a strong purpose and blend seamlessly with the plot.

The acting performances are wonderful. The director’s intent is well-placed, and it makes up for any lack in the technical department. While Season 2 carried and concluded the story well, it could have been better with some sharp editing and better pacing. 

Noshtoneer is a must-watch

With the increasing gruesome crimes against women, we need more women empowerment movies in mainstream pop culture more than ever before. Movies glorifying toxic masculinity and gender-based violence such Animal are akin to poison in our society. Topical, meaningful shows like “Noshtoneer” which highlight the realities of life are the need of the hour. 

I highly recommend this series!

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2024