Revisiting Raincoat: As melancholic and beautiful as the monsoon rains

The film helmed by legendary director Rituparno Ghosh features Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn in lead roles

Rains have often been associated with strong emotions of love, longing, heartbreak, nostalgia, hope as well as despair. It is also one of the most preferred and frequently used tropes in Indian films. But very few filmmakers have utilised the monsoon rains to tell a story about two long-estranged lovers as beautifully as Rituparno Ghosh in Raincoat. Inspired by O. Henry’s The Gift Of The Magi the film is not merely a story of unrequited love but a depiction of complex human emotions, societal expectations, and the ingrown desire for a happily ever after.

In the opening scene of Raincoat we see Manoj (Ajay Devgn), who comes from a remote village in Bihar, heading to Kolkata. He is unemployed and in desperate need of money. His friend Alok, a TV producer, and his wife Sheela play hosts as Manoj tries to reach out to his former classmates seeking financial assistance. He is embarrassed by his situation but has no other alternative. And while he goes from one corner of the city to another on a rainy afternoon, wearing a borrowed raincoat, a piece of paper with an address brings him to the doorstep of an old house.

It’s the house of his childhood sweetheart Neerja (Aishwarya Rai), whom he fondly calls Neeru. She married another man with a fixed income and higher social status hoping for a better life. But the woman who opens the door hardly resembles the lively and cheerful girl he was once in love with. She looks tired, sad, and gloomy and is least bothered by her unkempt hair or her poorly draped silk saree. When Manoj asks her about her life in Kolkata, she boasts of her husband, his high-paying job that takes him to different countries around the world, and her servants who disappear as soon as the clock strikes noon. As their conversation progresses, Manoj bluffs about his job as a TV producer and the woman he is set to marry. They recall past memories and talk about their seemingly happy present. But when Neeru steps out to buy him lunch, a stranger walks in and narrates a different story that is moving and heartbreaking.

Ghosh, who has also penned the screenplay for the film, holds his cards close, and reveals the real story just before the final act of the film. He successfully manages to keep the audience guessing as the narrative unfolds gradually. Most of the film is set in a small dark room of Neeru’s house. The manner in which Gosh has depicted the characters and presented their story compels the audiences to empathise with them, leaving a lingering pain in everyone’s hearts. The dark room, the poorly maintained house, and old furniture are all symbolic of the gloomy and sombre lives the protagonists are leading.

Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn starred in this film at a time when both of them were at the heights of their respective careers. Rai, who collaborated with Ghosh for the second time after Chokher Bali (2003), delivers a commendable performance as Neeru in the film. With her measured and convincing performance, she effectively conveys Neeru’s pain and her longing for a life she had hoped for. Whereas, Devgn pulls off his character with effortless ease, giving a tough competition to Rai. He eloquently portrays the desperation and misery of a lower-middle-class, unemployed youth. The scene wherein he breaks down in the bathroom is one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the film. Along with Manoj and Neeru, the constant rain in the background is itself a character in the film.

Although he appears only for a few minutes in the film, Annu Kapoor plays a very important role and manages to leave a lasting impression on the audience. His great sense of dialogue delivery makes his character even more interesting. Mauli Ganguly’s Sheila is a likable character who empathises with Manoj and does everything in her capacity to help him. The film also stars Sameer Dharmadhikari and the late actress Surekha Sikri.

Another highlight of the film is Debajyoti Mishra’s music coupled with Gulzar and Ghosh’s lyrics. It’s hard to not be moved by the songs, particularly Piya Tora Kaisa Abhiman and Mathura Nagarpati and renowned classical singer Shubha Mudgal’s captivating voice adds to the film’s overall charm. Cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay uses colours to bring out the contrast between the past and present lives of the lead characters. The flashback scenes that give a glimpse of their past are more vibrant and colourful when compared to the darker tones used to portray their sad and depressing present.

When Raincoat hit theatres in 2004, it failed at the box office. But it received plaudits from critics and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi the following year. It is undoubtedly one of the most underrated films in Hindi cinema.

You can watch the film here.

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