Best Bengali Films 2012 – 2014.
written by Souranath Banerjee.
We the Bengalis! The self-proclaimed intellectuals!
We have to watch films, especially Bengali Films and then give a detailed analytical review of them. Yes, we have to!
In our infamous ‘adda’ sessions, along with politics and football we Bengalis are also keen to show off our critical knowledge of Cinema. We proudly rate our favourite movies and passionately defend our preferred directors – believe me, these loud yet friendly squabbles can go on for months!
Mostly we time travel to the memorable glorious past of Bengali Cinema – the days of Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak and then coming back to the present we proudly allude to the likes of Rituparno Ghosh, Buddhadev Dasgupta, Gautam Ghose, Aparna Sen.
Such legendary directors and their invaluable contribution to World Cinema make us feel honoured and content, and why not?
However this current list is of more recent times, the last three years to be exact (2012 – 2014), a list of the best Bengali films from exceptionally talented directors who are very much the present and the future of Bengali Film Industry!
Let the countdown begin!
10. Ramdhonu (2014)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV5ipEs1_zk
A fun-filled story of a 5-year old kid’s struggle or rather his parent’s struggle to get him admitted in a decent school.
The director duo Shiboprosad Mukherjee, Nandita Roy has done it again. Brilliant acting by Shiboprosad and Gargi Roy Chowdhury.
A serious issue addressed with a comic touch. Entertaining.
9. Hrid Majhare: Live in my Heart! (2014)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrcoSaBZsl0
With the perfect essence of a Shakespearean tragedy this is a film that weaves a beautiful tale of love, jealousy and destiny.
Writer-director Ranjan Ghosh creates a terrific psychological drama; very well supported by Abir Chatterjee and Raima Sen.
This film will make you think twice before falling in love.
8. Hemlock Society (2012)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9KCaYzHYG0
Is there such a society that teaches the right techniques to commit suicide?!
The concept itself is unique enough and on top of that brilliant performance by Parambrata Chatterjee and Koyel Mallick.
Writer-Director Srijit Mukherji is one of the best in this business and he proves it time and again.
7. Apur Panchali (2014)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxKylESYoa0
Hat’s off to Kaushik Ganguly for this brilliant theme; the film is based on the child actor who played the iconic role of Apu in Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali.
Inspired by Subir Banerjee’s real life story, Parambrata Chatterjee, Ardhendu Banerjee and Parno Mitra gives their best. And then the in-between montages from Pather Panchali makes us nostalgic.
6. Aparajita Tumi (2012)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aerJCfbckGw
Director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury creates another enticing drama, a plot that involves both love and betrayal, loneliness and friendship.
Prasenjit Chatterjee utilized to his full potential, Padmapriya, Kamalinee Mukherjee perfectly suited in their respective roles.
A slow paced film that absorbs you into the story, beautiful camera work and edited.
5. Chotuskone (2014)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uNrGCBIgo0
The latest from director Srijit Mukherji, a perfect mystery, four directors, four stories, all blending in at the end!
When old friends reunite and discuss their stories – four stories but with a common theme – death. Outstanding performances by Parambrata Chatterjee, Chiranjit, Goutam Ghose and Aparna Sen.
4. Phoring (2013)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TWCydqcJ7w
A relatively less known film but one of the best i have recently seen.
Indranil Roychowdhury has successfully created the world of an adolescent boy, his thoughts, his dreams, his innocence and his lust.
Both Akash Adhikari and Sohini Sarkar did great. Phoring has received many international awards and believe me the film deserves all the applause.
3. Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg7OYuc7a5I
Probably the most popular film of recent times, a superb comedy, uniquely crafted and built up.
Swastika Mukherjee, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Samadarshi Dutta, Mumtaz Sorcar, Paran Banerjee, Mir Afsar Ali, Kharaj Mukherjee and many more.
A variety of characters and intelligent dialogues – director Anik Dutta gives us a super hit.
2. Shabdo (2013)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miTB-lIAwQ4
A professional foley artist – who creates sound effects for films seems to be too engrossed in his world of background sounds.
Not only the concept is unique but also the execution is superlative. Brilliant acting by Ritwick Chakraborty (his best till date) and also well supported by Churni Ganguly and Raima Sen.
Kaushik Ganguly‘s best till date.
1. Meghe Dhaka Tara (2013)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT5UEzQeDGg
Director Kamaleswar Mukherjee teamed up with talented actor Saswata Chatterjee to create a masterpiece; a film on the life of acclaimed Bengali film director Ritwik Ghatak.
Shot in black and white, a film so well crafted and executed, it gives us a new perspective on the life of the legendary filmmaker.
One of the best film of the last decade – a must watch!
and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)
+1. Chitrangada (2012)
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7prDTZhwA8U
A tribute to the master director Rituparno Ghosh who unfortunately passed away last year.
The film won the Silver Lotus Awards in the National Film Awards. It is the story of a dancer and his wishes, his unfulfilled dreams.
Rituparno himself acted as the lead, supported by Jishu Sengupta, Anjan Dutt and Dipankar Dey.
