2. ‘Robibaar’ (2019) – The Anthology of Modern Infidelity

Atiyar Rahman’s Robibaar is perhaps the most direct exploration of this theme. The film dissects a single Sunday in Kolkata, following multiple couples. One specific storyline involves a married couple who have a “no questions asked” policy regarding Friday nights. The film captures the tragic comedy of open relationships: the jealousy they try to hide, the awkward morning-after conversations, and the emotional violence of pretending to be okay. It is not a celebration of polyamory; it is a scalpel cutting into the wound of modern marriage. The Evolution of Open Relationships and Romantic Storylines

Review: The Evolution of Open Relationships in Kolkata’s Bangla Cinema

1. Thematic Overview

For decades, Bengali cinema—from Satyajit Ray’s Charulata to Rituparno Ghosh’s Chokher Bali—danced around extra-marital longing but rarely dared to label it as an "open relationship." The traditional narrative was one of repressed desire, guilt, and tragedy. Challenging Monogamy : The film Last Defenders of

Kolkata’s cinema sits between Hollywood’s casual polyamory (e.g., Professor Marston) and Bollywood’s adultery-guilt (e.g., Kabir Singh). It is intellectually curious but emotionally cautious.

Ultimately, the goal should be to encourage a cinema that is not only entertaining and engaging but also socially responsible and respectful of the diverse values and traditions of its audience.

Conclusion: A Work in Progress

Kolkata’s Bengali cinema hasn’t fully embraced open relationships as “normal” yet. Most films end with ambiguity: the couple stays together, but the rules keep changing. What these movies do brilliantly is start a conversation—in buses, addas, and WhatsApp groups—about whether love requires sacrifice or simply requires agreement.