Hrishikesh Mukherjee's, "Anupama" is a story
about the fractured relationship between a father (Tarun Bose)
and daughter (Sharmila Tagore). The mother dies giving birth
to the daughter and the father is psychologically shattered.
The father grows to blame his daughter for his wife's death
and harbors a deep seated hatred towards her. Only when the
father is blind drunk and guilt overcomes him does he then
shower his daughter with gifts and affection. Consequently
the daughter grows up emotionally damaged, fearful of everything,
even to speak. As a young adult the daughter meets a writer
who is sensitive to her plight and with his help she grows
emotionally and finds a sense of self. This is the premise
of the film.
Since the films main actor, Sharmila Tagore is mute through
most of the film, the technique of 'point of view' is used
extensively to build her character. Also the way point of
view is handled as the film progresses helps show the characters
evolution. This section will look at ways the film technique
of point of view is used to tell the story of "Anupama".
Frame 1 - Sharmila looks off camera at something.
Frame 2 - The actual point of view shot, we see
Sharmila looking at a figure at the far end of the room. We
also realize that she is hiding in the shadows so the approaching
person cannot see them.
Frame 3 - This is the reaction shot, we see Sharmila's
reaction to what she is watching.
Frame 4 - A second point of view shot, the figure
is the drunken father.
This is the basic example of filmic point of view. It
is a part of film 'vocabulary' we have all come to understand
whether we have studied it or not.