When the Red Flag Fades

Srijit Mukherji is arguably the most prolific filmmaker in Bengali cinema. His prodigious output inevitably raises questions about his versatility and creative consistency, just as his impressive tally of awards invites scrutiny of his artistic credentials. Yet his recent films, Shotti Bole Shotti Kichu Nei and Padatik, a bio-fiction on filmmaker Mrinal Sen, demonstrate his creative range and assured choice of subjects. With Winkle Twinkle, Mukherji reinforces his standing as one of the more...

min read

Srijit Mukherji is arguably the most prolific filmmaker in Bengali cinema. His prodigious output inevitably raises questions about his versatility and creative consistency, just as his impressive tally of awards invites scrutiny of his artistic credentials. Yet his recent films, Shotti Bole Shotti Kichu Nei and Padatik, a bio-fiction on filmmaker Mrinal Sen, demonstrate his creative range and assured choice of subjects. With Winkle Twinkle, Mukherji reinforces his standing as one of the more distinctive and enduring filmmakers in Indian cinema. Sixteen years after his directorial debut, Autograph, a personal take on Satyajit Ray’s Nayak, he continues to experiment with form and subject. Like several of Mukherji’s films, Winkle Twinkle draws inspiration from a celebrated Bengali play of the same name, written by Bratya Basu and staged in 2002. Basu, a formidable figure in Bengali theatre before turning to full-time politics, had drawn on Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle, first published in 1819. Irving’s protagonist falls asleep and wakes up years later to discover that the world has changed beyond recognition while he remains essentially the same. Mukherji and screenwriter Padmanabha Dasgupta transpose this premise to contemporary Kolkata, turning it into a sharp political allegory. Sabyasachi Sen, a committed Communist activist, is presumed killed in police firing during the Emergency in 1976. His body is never found. In reality, he falls asleep and awakens in 2002, physically unchanged but confronted by a world that has moved on without him. The shock begins at home. His wife has aged, and his children have grown up. His son, Indro, who idolised Che Guevara alongside his father as a child, has become an active supporter of the Trinamool Congress. He has little patience for his father’s unwavering allegiance to the CPI(M), a party whose ideological universe has been shaken by the collapse of the Soviet Union. His daughter, born after his disappearance, studies at Indira Gandhi University, a name that evokes for Sabyasachi only the prime minister associated with the Emergency. Posters announcing Mamata Banerjee’s rise confront him on Kolkata’s streets. The political landscape has changed beyond recognition, but Sabyasachi cannot accept that the movement to which he devoted his life has lost its former certainty. Technology bewilders him. More distressing, however, is the discovery that an old party comrade has become a leader of a new political formation and amassed wealth through dubious means. The revolutionary’s world has not merely changed; its moral foundations appear to have crumbled. His wife, once his comrade and fellow traveller, offers him refuge, welcoming his return with affection. Their son, however, refuses to accept him readily. The father-son conflict becomes a confrontation between two political generations: one shaped by ideological conviction and sacrifice, the other by a more pragmatic politics of power. The film moves back and forth through time, mirroring Sabyasachi’s bewilderment and drawing the audience into his confusion. Politics, technology, education and popular culture have all changed, often in ways he cannot comprehend. Some of the sharpest moments are also the most humorous. Sabyasachi recalls filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak marching in a Marxist procession, unaware of how cinema has changed and that another Hrithik — Roshan — is now the more familiar name. When a man at a tea stall expresses astonishment that he has never heard of Sachin Tendulkar, Sabyasachi walks away, explaining that the only Sachin he knows is Sachin Dev Burman. A particularly telling image captures the film’s political imagination: a street magician’s scarf changes from red to green. The symbolism is unmistakable. The red of the Left, once dominant in Bengal, gives way to the green associated with the Trinamool Congress. The cinematography is equally impressive, particularly the transition from colour to black-and-white when the narrative revisits the past. Ritwik Chakraborty is outstanding as Sabyasachi, convincingly conveying the bewilderment and stubbornness of a man unable to reconcile his convictions with reality. Anasuya Majumdar as his middle-aged wife and Sohini Sarkar as her younger self provide strong support. The sudden violence in the father-son confrontation is perhaps the film’s principal weakness, disrupting an otherwise nuanced exploration of ideological estrangement. Yet, Winkle Twinkle remains one of Mukherji’s finest films. Its central insight is both poignant and political: Sabyasachi’s tragedy lies not simply in having lost years of his life, but in discovering that history has moved on without him and that the revolution he believed would change the world has itself become a relic of the past. (The writer is an National Award-winning film scholar.)

Prioritising Mental Health at the Workplace

Dr. Mayur K. Muthe

Oct 10, 2024

3 min read

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

In the last few months alone, India has witnessed multiple young professionals succumbing to the pressures of excessive workloads, unrealistic expectations, and the relentless pursuit of career success. These tragic incidents, though often underreported, have sparked conversations about the mental health crisis brewing within the corporate world. From tech startups to financial institutions, young employees are bearing the brunt of long hours, constant connectivity, and high-stakes work environments, leaving little room for recovery or personal well-being.

The most alarming aspect of this trend is the normalisation of burnout and mental health struggles as a byproduct of ambition. Companies often promote a culture of hustle, glorifying overwork while overlooking the detrimental impact on employee well-being. Many young professionals have to prove themselves and remain silent about their mental health struggles, fearing that voicing concerns will be seen as a sign of weakness or a lack of commitment.

With the advent of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, boundaries between personal and professional lives have blurred, amplifying the mental burden on employees. Poor mental health not only affects employees and their families but also undermines companies’ productivity and profitability.

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety disorders alone cost the global economy approximately $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. In India, a survey by the 7th Fold Employee Well-Being Survey 2020 revealed that 36 per cent of employees were suffering from one or more types of mental health issues.

Workplace mental health challenges often stem from multiple factors, including excessive workloads, unclear job expectations, lack of autonomy, and unsupportive managerial practices. The rise of digital communication tools has also contributed to ‘always-on’ cultures, where employees feel obligated to remain available even outside of working hours.

By investing in workplace mental health, companies can not only improve job satisfaction and reduce absenteeism but also foster innovation and loyalty. A mentally healthy workforce is more likely to engage in creative problem-solving, exhibit higher levels of collaboration, and remain committed to the company long-term. Governments also play a crucial role by incentivising mental health initiatives through tax breaks or requiring companies to adhere to mental health standards.

World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. This year’s theme, ‘Prioritising Mental Health at the Workplace,’ seeks to shed light on an often overlooked but deeply consequential aspect of employee welfare. It urges organisations worldwide to take proactive steps toward fostering a healthier, more supportive work environment.

A proactive approach to addressing mental health at work begins with recognising the early signs of distress, enabling timely intervention and support for employees before their struggles escalate into more severe mental health issues.

Investing in workplace mental health is crucial. It’s time for organisations to prioritise their employees’ well-being, fostering a culture of support and understanding. We don’t need to wait for another crisis to confront this reality. It’s time for companies and leaders to commit to prioritising mental health and fostering a culture where well-being and success go hand in hand. Take action today—support mental health at your workplace before it’s too late.

Recognising the Red Flags

Mental health needs attention when you or your colleagues experience:

1. Feeling excessively overwhelmed by performance at the workplace

2. Experiencing low mood, dejection, and lack of confidence

3. Disturbed sleep and appetite

4. Increased irritability, anger outbursts, and mood swings leading to problems in professional and personal relationships

5. Self-harm thoughts and attempts

These troubling trends highlight the urgent need for proactive interventions in workplaces. Fortunately, organisation can take several steps to support their employees’ mental well-being.

Simple interventions, significant difference:

• Open discussions about stress management

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

• Mental health training for managers

• Flexible work arrangements

• Wellness initiatives

• And most importantly, encouraging employees or colleagues to seek professional help from either a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a counsellor, as required and if necessary.

Promoting mental health can:

• Enhance job satisfaction

• Boost productivity

• Reduce absenteeism

• Improve overall well-being

(The writer is a Consultant Psychiatrist based in Jalgaon. Views personal.)