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Rituparno Ghosh was an iconic filmmaker and one of the finest auteurs to emerge from contemporary Bengal. According to film critics, he is the inheritor of the legendary Satyajit Ray’s legacy, and through his films, rooted firmly in middle-class values, desires, and aspirations, he is highly critical of the interpellations in patriarchal discourses and structures. His films represent his journey as a filmmaker from nurturing a strong feminist sensibility, which later evolved into radical queer politics.

Ghosh’s popularity was not only confined to India; he also got international recognition quite early in his career. And this reputation was built with the enthusiasm of the Bengali diaspora. It is believed that when Ray had passed away in 1992, a void was created within the Bengali film industry, and the emergence of Ghosh during such a critical period was like a stroke of fresh air that helped in its revival.

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In this very special birthday feature noted director Sanjay Leela Bhansali reminiscences and shares fascinating thoughts and insight on the films he grew up watching. You do not want to miss this!

1. Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960): “The way Ritwick Ghatak used Rabindra Sangeet and the level of performance he got out of the leading lady Supriya Chowdhary act remain etched in my mind. Ritwick was so ahead of his times. He himself never knew why he was taking a shot in a particular way. Years later, someone like me, watching the film, discovered the emotional content, which was so potent that it survived all the ravages of time. Ritwick Ghatak understood the power of sound and image.”

2. Mirch Masala (1985): “For the sheer power of the folk tale. The folk tale is told in such vibrant colours. The use of colour red and the tribute to woman power. And at...

Veteran director and writer Rituparno Ghosh breathed his last breath this morning in his own residence in South Kolkata. He was only 49. Although the master is no more, but his legendary pieces of work still remains afresh in our minds. With a creative experience in the field of advertising, Rituparno shot to fame with his first film titled ‘Hirer Angti’ in 1994. The same year saw the release of Aparna Sen-Debasree Roy starrer Unishe April that revolved around the complexities of a mother and her daughter. This film also got Ghosh is 1st National Film award. In 1997, Dahan released; the film was based on true incidents of molestation a...

Kolkata, Aug 13 – Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee Friday lent a helping hand to her actress aunt Debasree Roy to save stray dogs in the city.

The Bollywood beauty was in town for the official launch of the website of a non-profit organisation run by Debasree.

‘My aunt (Debasree Roy) used to get ridiculed for loving dogs. I do support her cause,’ Rani said.

‘You all should support her in her endeavour,’ Rani told mediapersons after the launch at a city five-star hotel.

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Genre: Drama Director: Gaurab PandeyCast: Mithun Chakraborty, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Debashree Roy, Emma Garnett Brown, Angana BoseSynopsis: Joy Sundar Sen is a popular award-winning film director. He meets Isabella, a young European actress, in Berlin. They chance upon an anthology of short stories by filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, one of which — Paraspathar (The Philosopher’s Stone) — begins to resonate in Sen’s mind. He decides that Paraspathar will be his next film.He casts Chinu Nandy, a middle-aged junior artiste who has survived in an unforgiving industry, in the lead role. Chinu’s humble stance on life slowly begins to ...