Ghumpori: A love story that lives in longing

Love stories on screen are best enjoyed when they are unapologetically fictional, not bound by the need to be relatable. 

No one bothers to remember the countless tales of a boy and a girl who start doubting love, break up, and then realise they had feelings all along. A love story should have only one thing at its core—love. The Chorki original film 'Ghumpori' encapsulates just that.

The story follows Megh (Pritom Hasan), a struggling tutor trying to make ends meet, and his love for the chronically ill Jyoti (Tanjin Tisha). Meanwhile, his student, Usha (Parsha Mahjabeen Purnee), harbours a silent, unspoken love for her tutor. What follows is a cathartic story of love and longing.

In the present timeline, Jyoti is sick while Usha, a doctor, tends to the sick Jyoti. Amid the tragedy and tension, Megh does everything to stay by Jyoti's side. Told in three parts, the film explores the perspectives of Megh, Jyoti, and Usha. 

Ghumpori is for those who want to escape reality and lose themselves in fiction. The film is inspired by Humayun Ahmed's book Opekkha, which, like the movie, explores anticipation and wishful thinking. Even when you know how a situation will end, you still find yourself hoping for a miracle.

The devil is in the details

Megh moves through his usual morning routine in a brightly coloured room filled with sunlight. The warmth and vibrancy of the space contrast sharply with the other side of the room, where Jyoti lies unconscious on a hospital bed. Her breathing is unsteady, and the monitor beeps irregularly. The atmosphere shifts, growing heavy. 

Megh calls for a doctor, urgency tightening his voice. Moments later, the doctor arrives—but she isn't alone. Beside her stands someone from his past, Usha — the one he left without a word. She meets his gaze, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them before a tear slips down for Jyoti.

The story is established in these small moments and the minute details. Not a word is spoken, but the audience already knows–the three are intertwined in a deep bond. 

Furthermore, the language is equally poetic as the construction of the film. It speaks in lines reminiscent of classic Bangla novels giving the film a theatrical feel. Towards the end of the film, Megh delivers a powerful line to Usha, and when loosely translated, it reflects how people survive on longing, and longing survives on hope. 

Additionally, the background score is incredible, featuring tracks like 'Mondo Hotona' by Antu Dash. 

A story told through visuals

But the film's brilliance truly shines in its use of light—soft golden hues bathe the past, capturing the warmth and nostalgia of Megh and Jyoti's university days. 

In contrast, Jyoti's present day is enveloped in a cold blue, making time feel frozen for her. One side of Jyoti's bed is cast in blue, while the other holds traces of colour to show her memories are still kept alive. Megh wears a red sweater which reflects the love he still has for Jyoti. 

Though the film moves slowly, its cinematography and storytelling keep the audience engaged. Even with a predictable ending, the audience stays with Megh, Jyoti, and Usha until the very last moment.

The power in an uncomplicated story 

The film celebrates the idea that love isn't black and white—you don't have to 'date' someone to be in love with them. It brings back the old-school kind of love, where two people cherish each other's presence, share conversations, take walks and go on rickshaw rides. Simple, yet moving.  

Even as a love triangle, the film keeps the relationships as uncomplicated as possible. You don't find yourself rooting for one girl or resenting the other; instead, you just want all of them to find their peace.

It would be unfair to talk only about the characters without mentioning those who brought them to life. Pritom Hasan delivers a remarkable performance as Megh, capturing his quiet anguish for Jyoti and his transformation from an ordinary university student to a man willing to go above and beyond for someone he never even spoke to. 

Parsha Mahjabeen Purnee shines as Usha, evolving from a hopelessly infatuated girl to someone who learns to embrace her love as something personal, meant for her alone. 

Tanjin Tisha's Jyoti, though central to the story, is a character best understood and loved through the eyes of others.