Bulbbul

Bulbbul

Year: 2020

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Anvita Dutt

Echo Score: 78
ThrillerHorrorFantasyHorror the undead and monster classicsTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

A young bride grows into a mysterious woman, ruling her household while haunted by a painful history. As supernatural events and the unexplained deaths of men grip her village, she must confront the secrets of her past and the darkness surrounding her. The story unfolds as a unique and unsettling fairy tale.

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Timeline & Setting – Bulbbul (2020)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bulbbul (2020). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

19th century and present day

The primary action unfolds in late-19th-century rural Bengal, where arranged marriages and strict gender roles govern daily life. A modern frame in Calcutta appears later, showing how past events echo in the present and how urban centers intersect with rural histories. The juxtaposition highlights how historical norms continue to influence contemporary perceptions and ideas of justice.

Location

Bengal Presidency village, Calcutta

Set in a rural village of the Bengal Presidency during the 19th century, the setting reflects traditional social hierarchies, limited mobility for women, and close-knit communities. The local estate, outhouse, and doctor’s visits illustrate a society where superstition and strict norms shape daily life. A later frame in Calcutta reveals urban contrasts and the reach of colonial influence beyond the villages.

🗺️ Bengal Presidency 🏘️ Village setting 🕰️ Colonial era 👑 Arranged marriages

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 03:58

Main Characters – Bulbbul (2020)

Meet the key characters of Bulbbul (2020), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bulbbul (Triptii Dimri)

A gentle girl who matures into a powerful force against the abuse of women. Her arc blends innocence, rage, and a steadfast commitment to justice. The supernatural transformation linked to Kali signals a break from restrictive traditions.

🧿 Protagonist 🔥 Revenge-seeker

Satya (Avinash Tiwary)

Bulbbul’s childhood friend who returns from London and becomes entangled in the village’s tragedy. He grapples with guilt and loyalty as he uncovers truth and confronts the chudail legend. His choices drive the story toward its emotional climax.

🕊️ Loyal 🔎 Investigator

Indranil / Mahendra (Rahul Bose)

A wealthy patriarch whose double persona hides insecurity and brutality. His actions ignite a cascade of trauma for Bulbbul and set the village’s fear of the chudail in motion. His presence anchors the critique of male power.

👑 Patriarch 🗡️ Abuser

Binodini (Paoli Dam)

Indranil’s jealous former wife whose schemes seed mistrust between Bulbbul and Satya. She embodies cunning female manipulation and the complex rivalries among women in a restricted society.

🤫 Manipulator 👩‍🦰 Widow

Sudip (Parambrata Chatterjee)

The village doctor who becomes a suspect in the killings as rumors swirl. He represents medical authority subjected to superstition and suspicion in a tight-knit community.

🧭 Healer 🔎 Suspect

Pishima (Veera Kapur Ee)

An elder matriarch whose presence reflects traditional networks shaping women’s lives. She anchors the customs and gossip of the village.

👵 Elder 🏠 Family

Bulbbul's Father (Sameer Deshpande)

A paternal figure embodying ordinary authority and the social world Bulbbul is bound to challenge. His attitudes illustrate the norms the protagonist confronts.

👨‍👧 Father 🧭 Social norms

Little Satya (Varun Buddhadev)

Bulbbul’s childhood confidant who grows into a pivotal figure in the moral arc. Their shared stories about the witch foreshadow tragedy.

🧒 Friend 📚 Storyteller

Little Bulbbul (Ruchi Mahajan)

A young version of Bulbbul who embodies the innocence tempered by the era’s harsh realities. Her early experiences hint at the resilience to come.

🧒 Protagonist 🌼 Innocence

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 03:58

Major Themes – Bulbbul (2020)

Explore the central themes of Bulbbul (2020), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Female Empowerment

Bulbbul evolves from a constrained girl into a formidable defender of women’s rights. Her transformation is driven by defying abuse and challenging social norms. Each setback strengthens her resolve to protect other women, even at great personal cost.

🔮 Myth Reality

The legend of the chudail blends with Bulbbul’s growing power, turning folklore into social critique. The village attributes killings to a supernatural figure, while the truth exposes systemic gender oppression. The tension between belief and evidence fuels the narrative’s moral stakes.

💫 Trauma Transformation

Bulbbul endures brutal abuse that leaves physical and emotional scars. This trauma catalyzes a symbolic metamorphosis, illustrating resilience and a renewed sense of identity. The change aligns personal pain with a broader quest for justice for other women.

⚖️ Patriarchal Oppression

The story exposes how patriarchal structures govern women’s choices, marriage, and autonomy. Bulbbul’s life is shaped by male control and rumor, highlighting the systemic roots of violence. The arc centers on reclaiming agency and challenging male-dominated power.

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 03:58

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Bulbbul Summary

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