Tag Archives: Soumitra Chatterjee

BEST BENGALI FILMS 2015 – 2016 (10+1list)

Best Bengali Films 2015 – 2016

written by Souranath Banerjee

Hello to all you Bengali ‘nak uchu’ snobs who consider Bengali Cinema/Literature/Music as the epitome of art and creativity – well, glad to announce that I am exactly like you!

And when ever we Bengalis talk about Cinema, we time travel to the memorable glorious past of Bengali Cinema – the days of Satyajit RayMrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak and then coming back to the present we proudly allude to the likes of Rituparno GhoshBuddhadev DasguptaGautam GhoseAparna Sen.

Such legendary directors and their invaluable contribution to World Cinema make us feel honoured and content, and why not?

Similar Interest: Best Bengali Films 2012 – 2014

Similar Interest: Best Bengali Classic Comedies of all times

However this current list is of more recent times, the last two years to be exact (2015 – 2016), a list of the best Bengali films from exceptionally talented directors who are very much the present and the future of Bengali Film Industry!

Best Bengali Films 2015 – 2016 – let the countdown begin!

10. Double Feluda (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1V7VWYKbeI

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016Sandip Ray have made his latest film on none other than two back to back mystery stories originally written by Satyajit Ray, based on the famous detective character Feluda!

And guess what, Sabyasachi Chakraborty is back in and as Feluda and still rocking! And then of course we have Saheb Bhattacharjee as Topshe and Paran Banerjee as Sidhu Jetha. I only wish that somebody could replace Mr.Lalmohan Ganguly aka Jatayu aka Santosh Dutta as well. I guess some people are just irreplaceable!

9. Belaseshe (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0zUrtioA2g

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016Directed by Shibprasad Mukhopadhyay and Nandita Roy, probably the best film that explores the intricate emotional values of various human relationships, be it married or unmarried, short time or a life-long companionship!

Brilliant chemistry between Soumitra Chatterjee and Swatilekha Sengupta straight after they shared the screen in Satyajit Ray‘s Ghare-Baire in the year 1984.

8. Byomkesh O Chiriakhana (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjc4ogHSOo0

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016It seems that the Bengali-audience can never have enough of their favourite detective Mr.Byomkesh Bakshi.

Directed by Anjan Dutt, this thriller revolves around the murder of a judge and this time Jishu Sengupta plays the role of the typical ‘bhodrolok’ sleuth to perfection. And Saswata Chatterjee as Byomkesh’s friend/assistant Ajit and Usashi Chakraborty as Byomkesh’s wife Satyabati.

7. Shankhachil (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stkkOMmchpo

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016Acclaimed director Goutam Ghose‘s latest film won the National Award for Best Bengali film of 2016!  

It’s a India-Bangladesh joint venture and the story is also based on consequences of partition and how people get affected by it still today.

Commendable performances by child artist Shajbati and then of course Prasenjit Chatterjee, Kusum SikderDipankar Dey all have given their best. 

6. Eagoler Chokh (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oZZkXdFRS0

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016Based on Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay‘s story and directed by Arindam Sil this is the best detective thriller among the endless Bengali-detective movies that had been churned out in the last year.

The investigator Shabor Dasgupta played perfectly by Saswata Chatterjee slowly connects the dots as he cracks a murder case of a young woman.

Ebar Shabor, by the same director and based on the same detective character is also worth your time.

5. Chotoder Chobi (2014)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8xRKKtL2Oo

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016An emotional heart-touching love story between two people born with genetic defect causing dwarfism.

Directed by Kaushik Ganguly, this slow-pace drama won a National Award in the ‘Best Film on Other Social Issues’ category.

Unique concept, superb direction and brilliant natural performances by Debalina Roy and Dulal Sarkar. Mr.Dulal Sarkar was also awarded best-actor at Goa International Film Festival last year.

4. Nirbashito (2014)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iang3nizjTE

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016A biography of a writer in exile, a story about her isolation, her hopes and her helplessness – officially not based on the life of controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen but rather inspired by her life post exile.

Directed and also performed by Churni Ganguly, the film won the National Award for Best Bengali film of 2015 and also was India’s Oscar nomination in the category “Best foreign film” in 2015!

3. Open Tee Bioscope (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhYpZrYrUBw

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016Adolescence, adventures and experiences, friends and infatuations – Kolkata seen through the eyes of a young boy.

Superb performances by the young actors Riddhi Sen,  Surangana Banerjee,  Dhee Majumder.

Directed by Anindya Chatterjee and Shoojit Sircar, if you want to experience the nostalgic North Kolkata of the 90s, this is the film you should watch!

2. Cinemawala (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9_lUiinpFo

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016This film beautifully takes on two different tussles – one, as the digital media threatens the single screen movie theatres specially in the small towns and the secondly, the universal clash between a father and his son.

Brilliantly performed by Paran Banerjee and Parambrata Chatterjee and directed by Kaushik Ganguly, an emotional tale that Cinema-lovers cannot miss. 

  1. Praktan (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMJPxLAjuXU

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016

A married woman meets her ex husband while they are on a journey from Mumbai to Howrah by train – a beautiful film about relations and relationships.

Directed by Shibprasad Mukhopadhyay and Nandita Roy, probably the most popular Bengali film of the last couple of years portraying a brilliant chemistry between Prasenjit Chatterjee and Rituparna Sengupta.

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. Asha Jaoar Majhe (2014)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFObwB9TAwc

Best-Bengali-Films-2015-2016Also known as Labour of Love, this is one unique film that won two National Awards and was appreciated in many festivals around the world.

(click for the review)

Directed by Aditya Vikram Sengupta, starring  Ritwick Chakraborty and Basabdatta Chatterjee this is one of the best non-comercial visual treat that happened to the Bengali Industry in the recent times.

A few other films that are also worth your time are Srijit Mukherji‘s Rajkahini (2015), Suman Mukhopadhyay‘s The Last Poem (2015), Pavel‘s Babar Naam Gandhiji (2015) and Suman Ghosh‘s Kadambari (2015).

 Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com

JIO MAMI – DAY4 AND 5 (special attraction Christopher Doyle)

JIO MAMI – DAY4 AND 5.

written by Souranath Banerjee

JIO MAMI 17th Mumbai Film Festival, 200 films from over 35 countries – it’s happening right now, right here and it’s a heaven for film lovers.

A brief description of the cinemas i have watched on the fourth and fifth day of the happening festival and also some exclusive snaps from the brilliant interactive sessions with film makers.

Day 4 (2nd NOV)

The first film of the day was relatively light hearted film, Umrika (2015).

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APUyXR_WBIg

umrika-posterSure Sharma (from Life of Pi)Tony Revolori (from The Grand Budapest Hotel) and Prateik – all gave decent performances.

Directed by Prashant Nair, this film is a sarcastic take on Indians who have a general tendency to settle in Umrika (America of course). 

A boy from a small Indian village goes to Umrika and the film is an aftermath of what happened to his family, specially about his younger brother’s struggle to find out the truth behind his brother’s journey.

The second one was Cartel Land (2015), a documentary on ‘El Doctor’, a physician who united common people and fought against the drug mafia.

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkYBbBK0qoM

cartel-land-posterMexico and drugs has a long tragic history that needs a resolution. But neither the police nor the military does anything to help.

Directed by Matthew Heinemann, the doc-drama tells the intense story of how the local people formed their own army (under Dr. Jose Mireles’s leadership) and fought against the drug cartels.

Scenes of brutal violence shown to portray the actual terrible situation through which the people of Mexico suffer. A hard hitting and very realistic documentary indeed.

And then there was Anomalisa (2015), a rare gem of a film.

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_1qk6kRw28

Won several awards in many international festivals including the Grand Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.

anomalisa-posterDirected by Duke Johnson and the genius Charlie Kaufman, a film that speaks so much about human emotions and that too in such subtle manner.

Stop-motion animation is used to it’s maximum limits and the film is also such a visual treat.

So brilliantly soulful and thoughtful and kind of melancholic in it’s own comic way – undoubtedly one of the best movie in this year’s Mumbai Film Festival.

And the day ended with another stroke of brilliance, called the The Lobster (2015).

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR_NcqD-Gfs

Already won the jury award and nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival!

lobster-posterThe film tells us of the dystopian future where single people are officially taken to The Hotel, where they have to find a romantic partner within forty-five days or else they are transformed into their favorite choice of beasts!

Colin FarrellBen WhishawJohn C. ReillyLéa Seydoux and Rachel Weisz at their very best.

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, a film so rich in dark humor and sarcasm, it’s about human tendencies and speaks volume about our basic human nature. But all that wrapped in comedy.  

Day 5 (3rd NOV)

My fifth day started with a sensitive Bengali film, known as Peace Haven (2014).

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DB33EVnQmQ

Peace-Haven-PosterDirected by Suman Ghosh, the film is about three elderly men in their 70s (who are good friends too) planning to build a mortuary for themselves. And in the process of searching for a place they seem to understand the meanings of life and death.

Soumitra ChatterjeeParan Banerjee and Arun Mukherjee all at their very best. A film that is entertaining as well as though provoking.

Next in the line was a unique documentary Hong Kong Trilogy: Preschooled Preoccupied Preposterous (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO1Fodr71HA

hong-kong-trilogy-posterDirected by legendary cinematographer/filmmaker Christopher Doyle.

It’s the director’s take on his favorite city Hong Kong told by three generations of people – the ‘preschooled’ children, ‘preoccupied’ young people, and ‘preposterous’ senior citizens!

A cinematic way of showing the ideas and opinions of people who collectively become the voice of a city. A film that makes a strong statement indeed.

And then, the best part of the day, the interactive session with Christopher Doyle himself!

A genius with such inspiring words and brilliant mind. The man who Doyle and Me_lowresshot films like HeroIn the Mood for Love, and Chungking Express, the person who created poetry through his visuals – none other than the humorous and humble Christopher Doyle.

He narrated his experiences with different directors (including Kar Wai Wong and M. Night Shyamalan), who among them have influenced him and pushed him harder to create magic with his camera.

I am honored and thrilled to shake hands and interact with such a living legend. Respect!

And finally the last film of the day, The Second Mother (2015).

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXtkQitLmss

second-mother-posterClass barriers become visible when there is a new arrival of a person in the house, specially if that person is the young attractive girl of the house-keeper.

Directed by hong-kong-trilogy-posterAnna Muylaert, a simple theme, perfect script and exceptional acting. 

A film that comments on lot of social prejudices but in a subtle and intelligent manner.

Regina Casé is one actress who deserves many awards for her performance. 

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comblogs.indiewire.comtube.hk

Sukumar Ray A Documentary By Satyajit Ray

‘Sukumar Ray’ – Screenplay & Direction: Satyajit Ray 

1987, India. Documentary, 30 min, Color
Producer: Govt. of West BengalCredits

Narration: Soumitra Chatterjee 

Cinematography: Barun Raha 

Editing: Dulal Dutta 

Art Direction: Ashoke Bose 

Sound: Sujit Sarkar 

Music: Satyajit RayCast: Soumitra Chatterjee, Utpal Dutt, Santosh Dutt, Tapen ChatterjeeSummary.

The film presents the life and work of the writer Sukumar Ray, Satyajit Ray’s father. Ray made this film as a tribute to celebrate the centenary of his birth. The film comprises still photographs and readings from Sukumar Ray’s writings.

Comments
Sukumar Ray (1887-1923), the eldest son of Upendra Kishore, studied printing technology in England and joined the family business. He was an eminent poet, writer and illustrator of nonsense literature in the tradition of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear.Sukumar Ray fell ill the year Satyajit Ray was born with a dreaded tropical disease of the time – Kala-azar. He regularly contributed poems, stories and illustrations to ‘Sandesh’, a children’s magazine in Bengali which Satyajit Ray’s grandfather had started publishing and printing.

Featured article from Bollywoodirect.Courtesy: Sshoibal youtube channel

Bengali Classic Comedies of all times (10+1list)

Best Bengali Classic Comedies of all times

written by Souranath Banerjee.

Bengali Classic Comedies of all times: Bengali Cinema has a long history of making comedy films which perfectly defined the term ‘family entertainment’. We Bengali’s love to laugh out loud and the Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-timesclassic Bengali comedies have given us the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Even Satyajit Ray has made films like the Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne series and Paras-Pathar which essentially falls in the comic genre.

Here i have listed some of the Best Bengali Classic Comedies of all times; films that are enjoyed by all generations and which are also responsible to make our childhood a bit more merrier.

And the laugh riot starts now!

1. Sharey Chuattar (1953)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZuhgll3MWc

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

Imagine the chaos when a beautiful girl arrives in hostel full of bachelors!

Directed by Nirmal Dey, casting the most romantic pair of Bengali Film History – Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen at their best. And an even better chemistry between Tulsi Chakraborty and Molina Devi.

Also accompanied by Bhanu BannerjeeJahar Roy and Nabadwip Halder – a laugh riot indeed. 

2. Lukochuri (1958)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwYHUwcb9jw

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

Kamal Majumdar directed comedy, a unique film both in style and execution.

Twin brothers and the hilarious twin-related misunderstandings. Kishore Kumar proves to be the king of comedy. 

Casting Mala SinhaAnita Guha, supported by Anoop KumarKeshto MukherjeeNripati Chatterjee and Rajyalakshmi. And some great songs! 

3. Jomalaye Jibanta Manush (1958)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH-oh8Kv3es

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

Directed by Prafulla Chakraborty, the film at a first glance is a comic love story with an innovative plot and hilarious dialogues. But if one looks carefully the film is actually a satire, a sarcastic take on the-then society. 

Bhanu Bannerjee at his best – teaching the ‘hum hum gudi gudi’ dance to the all the Apsaras in Heaven!

4. Galpa Holeo Satyi (1966)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ5CJ5rU-1M

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

Robi Ghosh in the lead role (my personal favorite) as the God send helping hand who knits a joint family together with his clever wits.  

Probably the best written story among this list – written and directed by Tapan Sinha.

Remade in Bollywood as the Rajesh Khanna starer Bawarchi (1972) directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

5. 80 te Asio Na (1967)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wAOeP9Cmy4

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-timesThe eternal fantasy of the fountain of youth; a neglected old man takes a dip in it and becomes young!

Bhanu Bannerjee takes the lead followed by Jahar RoyRobi GhoshRuma Guha ThakurtaTarun Kumar and Asitbaran.

Directed by Sree Jayadratha, a fun satire on human nature and society.

6. Chhadmabeshi (1971)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ8qB0UnkfU

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

Directed by Agradoot, story by Upendranath Ganguly – this one is a gem of a Bengali comedy.

Uttam Kumar disguised as the driver to fool Madhabi Mukherjee‘s uncle Bikash Roy! Also starring Subhendu ChatterjeeJahar RoyTarun Kumar among others.

Was remade by Hrishikesh Mukherjee in Hindi titled Chupke Chupke (1975) staring DharmendraSharmila TagoreAmitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri.

7. Dhanyee Meye (1971)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDFBuaBY-yY

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

And finally a RomCom that includes Bengali’s favorite sport – Football!

Uttam Kumar and Sabitri Chatterjee has an awesome chemistry in this film. Jaya Bhaduri plays the tomboyish young girl, along with a formidable comic lineup Jahar RoyRobi GhoshTarun Kumar and Partho Mukerjee.

Directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay, a film very close to my heart. Awesome songs in the voices of Hemanta MukherjeeManna Dey and Aarti Mukherjee.

8. Bibaha Bibhrat (1971)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tssr-jEyBt8

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

Directed by Ashim Bannerjee this one is the story of a boy who gets in trouble after his sudden marriage decision. 

When Anup Kumar and Robi Ghosh get together the comic timing can’t be better. Utpal Dutt plays the angry father and Lily Chakravarty the young bride.  A film that guarantees both laughter and nostalgia. 

9. Sriman Prithviraj (1973)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1pb5iMWiDU

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

Original story by Bibhutibhusan Mukhopadhyay, written and directed by Tarun MajumdarThis Bengali film takes a comic take on child marriage.

A hilarious tale of Ayan Banerjee the young husband who is the follower of ‘Prithiraj’ and his even younger wife Mahua Roy ChowdhurySandhya Roy also plays an important role.

10. Basanata Bilap (1973)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMI7Nk5OwuI

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

A contest of wit between a gang of four young girls and boys, a rivalry that of course soon leads to romance.

Directed by Dinen Gupta, this one has some of the best comic sequences ever!

Staring Soumitra Chatterjee, Aparna SenRobi GhoshAnup KumarChinmoy Roy among others.  

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. Charmurti (1978)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIfygFlt_JI

Bengali-Classic-Comedies-of-all-times

From the novel written by Narayan Gangopadhyay, directed by Umanath Bhattacharya this film is the story of the adventurous four from a place called Potoldanga – TeniDa, Pyalaram, Habul Sen and Kyabla.

Chinmoy Roy leading as TeniDa, we also have Santosh DuttaSatya Banerjee and Robi Ghosh to make the adventure more entertaining.

And now a few other honorable mentions which are not included in the above list: Bancharamer Bagan (1980), Mouchak (1974), Dadar Kirti (1980), Personal Assistant (1959) among many others.

Similar Interest: Best Bengali Films 2012 – 2014

Similar Interest: Best Bengali Films 2015 – 2016

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com