Written by: Mrinal Banik

Agartala: Not every story needs a happy ending to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes, it is the unfinished relationships, unfulfilled expectations and difficult choices that make a story linger in the mind. For Anirban Bhowmik, a social media influencer and independent creator from Udaipur in Tripura, this understanding of life became the starting point of his latest creative venture, ‘Shyam Sundari Shyama’.

Known for its lakes, temples and association with Tripura’s royal past, Udaipur has a distinct cultural identity, with the revered Tripura Sundari Temple occupying a special place in its religious landscape. It is from this historic town that Bhowmik is attempting to carve out a space in the increasingly competitive world of independent digital content, using devotional music as a medium to explore human emotions and the complexities of relationships.

Released ahead of Diwali, ‘Shyam Sundari Shyama’ is more than a conventional devotional music presentation in its creator’s conception. Through its narrative, Bhowmik attempts to bring together faith, emotional uncertainty and the acceptance of circumstances that cannot always be changed.

The creative philosophy behind the project draws inspiration from filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, particularly his treatment of relationships and his willingness to move away from predictable cinematic conclusions.

“I have always admired the way he portrays human emotions and relationships. His storytelling doesn’t necessarily depend on unrealistic happy endings. It reflects life as it actually is,” Bhowmik said.

Films such as ‘Rockstar’ and the philosophy he associates with the song ‘Kun Faya Kun’ have influenced his approach to storytelling. He wanted to explore a similar emotional landscape through his own presentation, although within the framework of devotional music.

The ending, he acknowledged, might leave some viewers emotionally unsatisfied. But that, according to Bhowmik, is precisely the point.

“Not everything happens the way we imagine or wish it would. Sometimes things fall apart, sometimes we lose, and sometimes we have to accept situations we cannot change,” he said.

Yet the narrative does not end with disappointment. Its underlying message is that faith can help people find the strength to rebuild themselves and confront another day with hope.

“Life doesn’t stop there. Life goes on,” he said.

For Bhowmik, this is where devotion acquires a more personal meaning. Faith is not simply an expression of religious belief but also a source of strength during difficult phases of life. His message through the presentation is that people should not lose faith in God, regardless of the challenges they encounter.

The project marks a progression from an earlier Diwali release. Last year, Bhowmik and his team released a Shyama Sangeet devotional song, which, he said, received an encouraging response from audiences in Tripura and beyond. That experience prompted them to attempt a more ambitious production this year.

The latest project involved a higher production budget, a year of conceptual development and considerable attention to scriptwriting and direction. Bhowmik personally worked on the concept and screenplay, seeking to give the presentation a stronger narrative identity.

For an independent creator, however, the ambition comes with its own set of challenges.

Digital platforms have transformed the way regional artists reach audiences. A creator based in a town such as Udaipur can now aspire to reach viewers beyond Tripura without necessarily depending on conventional production houses or distribution networks. At the same time, the competition has become considerably wider.

Audiences today have access to music, films and digital productions from across the world. Regional creators are consequently being judged against a much broader range of creative and technical standards.

Bhowmik sees this changing environment as both challenging and exciting.

“We are living in an era where audiences have access to content from across the globe. So, the competition is no longer limited to our own region. People are exposed to international standards of storytelling, music, cinematography and production,” he said.

He believes independent creators must continuously upgrade their skills and bring original ideas to their work if they are to remain relevant.

His experience with ‘Shyam Sundari Shyama’ has also reinforced his belief that a large production house is not an essential prerequisite for meaningful creative work.

“You don’t necessarily need a massive production house to create something impactful. You need a strong vision, the right team and the dedication to execute that vision,” he said.

That emphasis on collaboration is reflected in the production credits of the music video. Bhowmik directed the project and developed its concept and story, while Astro Pritam Nath and Gayatri Kashyap served as producers.

Kishan Das lent his voice to the song and also handled its composition, arrangement and musical direction. The lyrics were written by Ranajit Chakraborty, while Tapas Dhar was responsible for music production, mixing and mastering.

Adarsh Ray handled cinematography, editing, colour grading and visual effects. Makeup was undertaken by Laxmi Debnath of Laxmi’s Makeover, while Sourav Roy, credited as Sr Editz, handled the graphics. Amlanjit Neogi and Biswajit Das managed production.

The ending voice-over features Shriddhi Bandopadhyay and Sharbani Chakraborty (Bandopadhyay).

The cast includes Anirban Bhowmik, Jeniva Das, Subhabrata Chakraborty, Anushka Roy, Rekha Dey Choudhury, Rajat Dey, Deep Goswami, Aaditri Chowdhury, Nabarun Chakraborty, Utpal Dey, Sagar Rakshit, Biswajit Das, Amlanjit Neogi, Bitu Majumder and Arunabha Dutta.

Bhowmik considers the response within a day of the release encouraging, particularly because he believes audiences connected with the emotional message rather than merely the musical presentation.

However, he is reluctant to describe the outcome as an individual accomplishment.

“Every person involved, both in front of and behind the camera, worked with immense passion and dedication. From the creative team to the technical crew, everyone contributed to bringing this vision to life,” he said.

For Bhowmik, the larger ambition extends beyond a single music video. He believes creators from smaller towns and regional backgrounds can compete in a global digital environment if they are willing to experiment, improve their craft and work collectively.

His journey also reflects an emerging possibility for independent artists from Tripura: the ability to draw upon local cultural influences while engaging with storytelling ideas and production practices that transcend geographical boundaries.

The response to ‘Shyam Sundari Shyama’ may encourage Bhowmik and his collaborators to explore more ambitious projects, although sustaining that momentum will require continued creative investment and an evolving understanding of audience expectations.

For now, the creator from Udaipur appears more interested in the process than in claiming individual credit. His latest presentation revolves around a simple but difficult understanding of life: not every experience offers the ending one hopes for, and not every disappointment can be undone.

But there is always another day, another story and, as Bhowmik’s message suggests, another reason to hold on to faith.