Cine #13- King's return or an Imposter?

All the pictures used here are snapped from the movie

Indeed I dare to deny the vast impact of those amazing courtroom films like 12 angry men or To kill a mocking bird (I adore this one, I even read the book after watching the movie) but for now, if you tell me to choose a court-room drama movie, the name appears in my mind is-

"Ek Je Chilo Raja"

In lexical interpretation from Bengali to English- Once upon a time, there was a king! But for me, I would prefer to tag the film as "The Kings' Return!"

Historic aspect of the movie:

This film is made based on a true event of Bengali history.
It is about the prosecution of a Bengali historical character called, Ramendra Narayan Rai, the Prince of Bhawal estate around the period 1920.

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The Bhawal prince Ramendra
The prosecution was initiated after the lost Prince of Bhawal estate had returned after going missing for 12 years!
Historians say, the case was against the British empire and plausibly an extraordinary coup of history!

Movie summary:

Mahendra, the middle prince of the Bhawal estate is a fascinating man! He is an adored king to his subjects, a great brother, a brave friend, and last but not the least, Lady's man!

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And after his marriage, he is diagnosed with Syphilis. So he was taken to Darjeeling for further treatment accompanied by his doctor, his wife, and his brother-in-law.
However, he dies there and they take him to cremate. But because of hailstorm the couldn't and ran away for shelter leaving the dead body of the Prince behind. And when they went back, they found the dead body of the Prince is vanished from there!
However, The dead Prince returns after 12 years after living his life as an ascetic which knock everyone in a dilemma!
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But the Princes' beloved sister Mrinmoyee alleged that this ascetic person is her brother Mahendra.
Amongst 6 brothers and sisters, Mahendra and Mrinmoyee were exceptionally fond of each other. These siblings were like two bodies but one soul. Henceforth, if Mrinmoyee says that, nobody around dares to question the strangers' identity.

And from that's where the prosecution commences.

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That was a time when British Empire ruled Bengal.
This is why it prevails that the trial was not a mere courtroom trial but an ordeal against British Empire as well!

Some special attention for the cinema-

I truly appreciate the director who dared to direct such a case of history!
And I adored the part of the actors and actresses who adapted the local dialect of that time very precisely and with such sincerity.
In addition to that, the director tried to cover the long-ran prosecution in brief with adequate scrutiny where it was required.

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Also the way director prioritized advocates of both defendants' and accusers' of how they are aligning the case with their philosophy, life and history as if they themselves also trying to find a solution for the case!

The most alluring part there is that, even after conserving such concerns towards pros and cons of the details of the plot and theme, the director finished the movie with a twisted execution that steers more questions.
Which intrigued me to read and learn more about that case! I desperately wanted to reach a solid conclusion about- was the ascetic actually a "Kings' Return" or just a brilliant "Imposter" who blew the greatest coup of history!

Well a mere enthusiast like me can do nothing where historians themselves lost in that mystery!

The story of Mahendra (Ramendra Narayan) remined mystery!

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