A flock of migratory birds touching down and taking off in a breathtaking topography sets the tone for Goutam Sen’s directorial debut Pakhi, which tracks the ebb and flow of life through the eyes of Badsha Moitra.

The manager of a guesthouse, Badsha watches several human dramas unfolding in this quiet resting place just as the island is witness to the coming and going of the birds. The guesthouse is where Debasree Roy and her father Soumitra Chatterjee come for a holiday. The visually challenged Debasree blames her lack of eyesight on ex-husband Krishnakishore. In a twist of fate the estranged couple comes face to face, but Krishnakishore’s sudden death in an accident leaves Debasree deeply disturbed. In a parallel track, Badsha meets his ex-flame Kanchana, who walks into the guesthouse one day with businessman Sabyasachi Chakraborty. But before the old passion can be reignited, Kanchana leaves with her man.

Though the whole cast is worth a watch, Debasree stands out as a sensitive, vulnerable woman who secretly nurses a sense of betrayal. The narrative flows smoothly, interspersed with strains of Bhatiali and Rabindrasangeet. After a long time, one gets to hear a masterful background score (by Piloo Bhattacharya). Shot on the Indo-Bangladesh border, Ashim Basu’s cinematography is a visual treat.

Sulakshana Biswas