X=Prem review: A fascinating love story with a sci-fi twist

Srijit Mukherji’s latest film X=Prem (2022), a romantic drama with sci-fi elements, is an intriguing study of the human mind and the realm of emotions. Starring Anindya Sengupta, Shruti Das and Arjun Chakraborty, the monochromatic Bengali-language film features an exploration of the facets of love.

Khilaat (Sengupta) is in love with Joyee (Das). Everything seems to be going well for them till he meets with an accident and loses 10 years of his memory. Intriguingly, his memory of Joyee is completely erased and he must retrieve these memories to recreate the feeling of love that he once shared for his partner. She has become a stranger to him though she tries to help him piece the memories together.

On the other hand is dejected lover Arnab (Arjun Chakraborty), who pines for Joyee unknown to her. Despite having a loving, understanding wife Aditi (Madhurima Basak), he is unable to overcome his college obsession. With the aid of a cutting-edge experimental scientific procedure, Khilaat seeks to restore his feelings, assisted by the memories of other people. However, the process does not prove to be as simple as he may have thought.

The film moves back and forth in time as it takes us to the college days of the protagonists, the moment when their love blossomed. As a couple, Khilaat and Joyee epitomize the rush of young love, bringing forth the spontaneity and silliness of youth. They experiment with substances together, revelling in each other’s company, with a sense of abandon. There is a youthful energy to this section of the film, complemented by the music, which is certainly one of the movie's highlights.

With a hat tip to Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004), referenced in the film, X=Prem ruminates over the question, what is the role of memory in love, while examining different kinds of love. Aditi’s selfless love contrasts with her husband’s feelings for Joyee, which remain unchanged despite the lack of reciprocation. This is the more captivating of the two relationships, but we do not really get to sink our teeth into it as much as one would have hoped. The hunt for the lover is a bit protracted and his resolution seems a tad hasty, given the extent of his devotion.

Shruti Das’s performance stands out as she ably portrays the helplessness and despondency over Khilaat’s predicament while playing the carefree, spontaneous young woman who throws caution to the winds. In comparison, Sengupta seems to have held himself back. One would have liked a bit more spirited performance from the leading man.

With an unusual subject, Mukherjee skilfully depicts the characters caught in a vortex of emotions. This is an enjoyable, absorbing throwback to young love, which leaves us with food for thought.

X=Prem was released in cinemas across West Bengal on 3 June 2022.