A Death in the Gunj is based on a short story by Mukul Sharma, which in turn was based on true events. It’s the winter of 1979. The narrative unfolds over one week of vacation in sleepy McCluskieganj. Family and friends have gathered. Old romances are rekindled, there is drinking and games and even a séance in which they try to summon passing spirits. At the centre of the story is Shutu, a 23-year-old boy, who recently lost his father. Shutu, played by Vikrant Massey, is the type of sensitive young man. He can’t cope with the brash and selfish adults so he spends most of his time with his eight-year-old niece. First-time director and writer Konkona Sen Sharma tells Shutu’s haunting story beautifully. She extracts super…