There are several filmmakers who have contributed, in their own way, to revitalize and disseminate the cinema of Calcutta. First, the cameraman Nemai Ghosh, whose one film out of three films directed by him, heralds the tradition of Bengali humanistic realism Chhinamul (1950), a poignant melodrama which has a documentary dimension about the tragedy of the refugees driven out of East Bengal during Partition.
Of Hemen Gupta, director of both Bengali and Hindi films, at least two are worth mentioning--- 1942, a nationalistic film which brings back memories of violent anti-colonial demonstrations in Bengal in the wake of the
Quit India Movement and Taksaal in Hindi. Another classic figure of commercial movies is Sailajananda Mukherjee. Out of the 15 films that he had shot Shahar Theke Dooray and Mane Na Mana are worth mentioning. The first is a rural and moral melodrama that metaphorically portrays the contrast between the countryside and the urban modernity. The latter is a fine melodrama that emphasizes the virtue of the joint family.
Asit Sen who has shot films in Bengali and Hindi, is simultaneously influenced by his fellow Bengali
Bimal Roy, Hollywood and the Bengal humanistic novel. Among hid 25 films, he gave the beautiful
Suchitra Sen one of her memorable roles in `Deep Jele Jaayi.` It was a psychological film in which she plays the part of a nurse who is supposed to get emotionally involved with the patients to treat them.
The work of Tapan Sinha is prolific and is situated between commercial ingredients and thematic and technical variety. With Asit Sen, Sukhen Das and Anjaan Choudhary, he is one of the filmmakers to have brought the public of Bengal back to cinema halls. His Kabuliwala was based on a short story by Rabindranath Tagore. In 1962, in his film, Hansuli Banker Upkatha, he shows the mastery in the tradition displayed by
Satyajit Ray in which popular melodies play an important part. With two great
Bengali actors, Kali Bannerjee and
Chhaya Devi, he made Arohi (1964). His other films include Atithi, Apanjan, Bancharamer Bagan, Antardhaan, Wheelchair and others.
Tarun Majumdar is still active and is one among the last commercial filmmakers to have continued to link with quality Bengali cinema of the period from 1930s to the 1950s. Indeed he stands out as a solid director capable of meeting the expectations of his public, the middle classes. His adolescent romances like Balika Badhu and Dadar Kirti entertained the masses. He showed that he could handle more serious subjects with Sansar Simantey (1975), an endearing and realistic story about love between a prostitute and a thief. It featured the superlative Bengali actor,
Utpal Dutta. Ganadevata is his most ambitious film, adapted from a noted contemporary Bengali social novel and set in the rural world before the Second World War.
Words fall short to describe this
Bengali cinema personality. Satyajit Ray literally revolutionised the way Bengali films were made. Many of his films had their sources in the Bengali literature. His genre filmmaking was in the league of the legendary filmmakers like Akira Kurosava. Satyajit Ray`s gifted the
Bengali cinema industry with some of its most gifted performers. Another director, Ray`s contemporary, also deserves special mention.
Ritwik Ghatak will be remembered for his truly offbeat masterpieces. This genius was unnoticed, even ignored and ultimately met a tragic end. But his films have survived and even today they compel the audiences to ponder.
Another outstanding filmmaker is Nirmal Dey. He tried to bring about a fusion between the realism of the pre War-period and the expectations of the entertainment of the urban people. Basu Paribar, Saat Paake Badha, Chhuti, Padi Pishir Barmi Baksha and Shaare Chuattar were made by him.
Mrinal Sen films, on the other hand, deal with contemporary issues. A veteran director, he is known for his sensitive and humane portrayals.
Nabyendu Chatterjee is closer to the art house cinema and has made 10 feature films to date. Atmaja, Aaj Kal Porshur Galpo, Parashuramer Kuthar, Shilpi, Sauda and others were his creations.
Amongst the recent filmmakers
Aparna Sen and
Rituparno Ghosh deserve special mention. Both of them had won National Awards. The latter has dealt with social issues as well human relations. Some of his films are as follows:-
Aparna Sen is an actor turned director who had made several interesting films in Bengali. These include Paroma, Paromitar Ek Din,
15 Park Avenue and others.
Last but not the least Satyajit Ray`s son Sandip Ray has also contributed to Bengali films as a director. A rightful heir to the throne his films are a treat to watch.
Other directors of the Bengali film industry are:
