Twinn Swan

Antim Swash Sundar is a Bengali movie that tells the story of a hardworking, intelligent and principled man who–for the sake of his principles–finds himself on a losing streak in life. His wife goads him for not making enough money to give her a better life and his daughter is unhappy that her father cannot afford to indulge her in luxuries.

One day, Prem, the protagonist of the movie, shows kindness to an old man by buying him some coconut water. Immediately after their chance encounter, a dead body washes up on the shore. The corpse is wearing a mysterious locket and his wallet has a ton of money in it. Suddenly overcome by a force of temptation that he cannot control, Prem takes off with the mysterious locket and the wallet.

It is, at that very moment, that a man that was once decent, loving and principled, becomes a ruthless crook. Due to his newfound windfall, he is finally able to return home with expensive gifts for both his wife and daughter. The happiness on their faces is all too telling.

Yes, money can buy happiness–but for how long?

A magical stone that can grant you all the wealth in the world… but of course, with mad magic such as this, there is always a catch.

Prem, who is now a ruthless crook leading the high life, leaves a trail of enemies behind him. The people who he tricks are expert tricksters themselves so the viewer does not feel much compassion for any of them either. They’re all playing each other, anyway.

While all is, indeed, fair in love and war; bit by bit, all the people who tried to play him–and all the people who he plays in return–come back to take their revenge. I’d like to call it karma, but I just cannot as all the players are equally bad.

Despite the fortune that Prem receives, it seems that misfortune keeps catching up with him. His wife begins to have affairs, his daughter is kidnapped and a beggar he brushes off even punctures his tire.

The film made me see that one should never underestimate the intoxicating allure of something that is just not good for you. Even a person who is initially reluctant and resistant can get roped into a lifestyle where everyone is just really out for themselves.

Success comes at a price. When we read these success stories or hear of them, we should exercise caution for all is not as it seems. There is a hidden story that people on the outside are just not privy to.

Towards the end, Prem discovers that the pendant with the mystical power to generate wealth belonged to someone who was quite similar to him: a fundamentally good person who had allowed himself to succumb to his temptations at a particularly vulnerable point in his life.

In the end, the viewer realises that it was the old man and not the locket that led Prem on his journey of self-realisation. Prem finally realises that the glamorous life that he chased and coveted had led him to lose something of even greater value: his family, his loved ones, and above all, his compassion and his principles.

But by that time, it was all too late. Prem could not undo the tide that he, himself, had set into motion. He had become wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. As Prem received yet another accolade and achievement, he chuckled, for he knew the truth that lay above and beyond it.

The film concludes with a poignant reminder to the viewer that wealth cannot bring peace and happiness. Even though Prem had completely lost the attraction he once had for wealth, the old man’s poignant question lingered in his ear: What will you do after you are successful?

The film’s answer is straightforward. He would pass on.