I literally never do thi... by Diya on Openvy

diya

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Pather Panchali

Movie by Satyajit Ray · 1955

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I literally never do this but one of my favourite things about being a Bengali is I get to watch some of the greatest films ever made without subtitles. Hence, listing a few of my absolute favourites: I tried to start with something other than Ray but if one went searching for cinema’s soul, they will find Pather Panchali there.

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Apur Sansar

Movie by Satyajit Ray · 1959

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Finishing with the Apu series, Apur Sansar is just a heart shattering tale of youth, love, loss with a very young and lovely Sharmila Tagore.

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Unishe April

Movie by Rituparno Ghosh · 1994

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From one of most pathbreaking Indian director, a tale of a mother and daughter coming in terms with the loss of their father and their relationship. Check out rest of his work too, it’s precious.

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You cannot have a Bengali film list without the magnificent Uttam Kumar. The story revolves around a superstar looking back at his life after crossing paths with a journalist played by Sharmila Tagore. The film is very 60s cinema, slight change from usual Ray.

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Mahalaya

Movie by Soumik Sen · 2019

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Continuing on Uttam Kumar trend, a film on a very curious incident on All India Radio during the emergency.

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Praktan

Movie by Shiboprosad Mukherjee · 2016

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I have not kept up very well with new Bangla cinema but I absolutely love this film about broken relationships and closure. Almost entirely shot in a train.

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Charulata

Movie by Satyajit Ray · 1964

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Ending with a film which encapsulates femininity so beautifully. Never fails to overwhelm me.

I have to mention Mrinal Sen as well. I have not watched a lot of his films but I feel it is so important to understand the anxiety of working class and the political turmoil of post independence. Also, the man single-handedly responsible for reigning in new wave cinema in India.

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kabootar3327

Great list. The only one I haven't seen amongst these is 'Mahalaya'. My own list will be- Mahanagar (1963 ) I think Mahanagar is just one of the essential cinema viewings. If Madhabi Mukherjee is just fabulous in this. If she didnt exist, movie gods would have create her by their hands because without her cinema would be incomplete.

I also prefer ray’s 70's Calcutta trilogy - Pratidwandi (1970), Seemabaddha (1971) Jana Aranya over the Apu trilogy. In all his three films he seems more angry, direct and cynical about the human experience.

Ritwak ghatak is one of the best talent that India has ever produced. Sadly, he is not discoured enough,either in the west or even here. He has his niche following here, but he definitely deserves more recognition. Meghe Dhaka Tara, and Subarnarekha are essential viewing to understand his genius. Recently, I saw the Herbert, which plays like a modern bengali Tolstoy novel. For sure one of the best output from modern bengali cinema.

diya

Deepak Jetly

Great list. The only one I haven't seen amongst these is 'Mahalaya'. My own list will be- Mahanagar (1963 ) I think Mahanagar is just one of the essential cinema viewings. If Madhabi Mukherjee is just fabulous in this. If she didnt exist, movie gods would have create her by their hands because without her cinema would be incomplete.

Mahanagar is my second favourite after Pather Panchali and Charulata. And so true about Madhabi!

Deepak Jetly

Ritwak ghatak is one of the best talent that India has ever produced. Sadly, he is not discoured enough,either in the west or even here. He has his niche following here, but he definitely deserves more recognition. Meghe Dhaka Tara, and Subarnarekha are essential viewing to understand his genius. Recently, I saw the Herbert, which plays like a modern bengali Tolstoy novel. For sure one of the best output from modern bengali cinema.

I have unfortunately seen very less Ghatak. Something I plan to rectify before the year ends.

himonmukherjee

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Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne

Movie by Satyajit Ray · 1969

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Add this if you haven’t.

Diya

I literally never do this but one of my favourite things about being a Bengali is I get to watch some of the greatest films ever made without subtitles. Hence, listing a few of my absolute favourites: I tried to start with something other than Ray but if one went searching for cinema’s soul, they will find Pather Panchali there.

Quite fortunate to say that on 5th November, I get to meet the legacy of the person who did the storyboards for this and Ray’s films 🎥 He has mainly worked on Gupi Gayeen series

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favourite bengali films