Shubho Mahurat, a Bengali film, is one of those few mystery thrillers that are made on Indian celluloid. Released in the year 2003 Shubho Mahurat is directed by Rituparno Ghosh. This Bengali film is based on Agatha Christie`s Miss Marple story, The Mirror Crack`d from Side to Side. The film stars Sharmila Tagore, Nandita Das, Rakhee Gulzar, Sumanta Mukherjee, Kalyani Mandal, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Rajesh Sharma and others.

Plot of Shubho Mahurat
The film revolves around people who are involved related to the film industry. In fact the title, Shubho Mahurat, is related to the beginning of film shooting. This Bengali film opens with a scene where a grand reception has been organised to mark the launch of a new film. The film is produced by Padmini Choudhary (Sharmila Tagore), who is an NRI. The director who has been assigned for the new film has been out of work for a long time. The buzz was that he has a shady past.

For her film Padmini Choudhary had cast a retired actress, Kakoli, with whom she had worked earlier. Padmini Choudhary was once a well known actress but due to pregnancy she has left work and then her home and children have kept her away from limelight. After a long gap she is finally back on her home turf and indulges in film production with people she knows. Mallika Sen (Nandita Das) is a film journalist who is present at the Muhurat and wants to interview Padmini. But an unfortunate incident takes place. Kakoli who was cast in the film dies mysteriously. Mallika was the only person who was present at the time of her death. At first, it is interpreted that probably it was due to a drug overdose as she was a drug addict but as the police proceed with their investigation the mystery deepens.

On the other hand Mallika keeps a tab on the investigation. Back home she has an aunt whom she calls Ranga Pishi (Rakhee Gulzar). Ranga Pishi is an ardent follower of films and shows interest in the case. An IPS officer (Tota Roy Chowdhury) takes over the case. In a sub plot a love triangle is shown where Mallika and the IPS officer are going around. A still photographer also likes Mallika. But more interestingly the photographer is also linked to the NRI producer. Meanwhile the police are still investigating the case when another person is killed. She is a hairdresser. The police take in custody a camera assistant who was having an affair with her. But Ranga Pishi is not convinced with these developments.

Ranga Pishi writes to Mallika`s magazine in the forum section which discusses the personal problems of individuals. The write up attracts Padmini Choudhary`s attention and she turns up at Mallika`s house to meet her. But Ranga Pishi meets and greets her. As they talk it is revealed that it is Padmini Choudhary is the culprit. Before she left India she was married to somebody else. She was still shooting for her film while pregnant. Kakoli was shooting with her and she was suffering from a contagious disease. Even after repeatedly telling her about Padmini`s pregnancy and the problems that her unborn child can face, Kakoli continued with her shoot saying that she was absolutely fine.

Padmini gave birth to an abnormal child. Her marriage broke up and she settled abroad. As a result Padmini wanted to avenge the wrong done to her and her child. She returns to India after a long time and brings Kakoli out of her hibernation. At the Shubho Mahurat, she mixes poison in the soft drink and tactfully exchanges their glasses. The hair dresser, however, notices this. In a desperate need of money, she blackmails Padmini, but later gets rid of her too. After sharing her story with Ranga Pishi, Padmini returns home and that very night she commits suicide.

Reception and Awards of Shubho Mahurat
Shubho Mahurat was well appreciated for the way the story was dealt with and for the performances. Rakhee and Sharmila Tagore shared the same screen after a long time. Needless to say both of them are outstanding in their roles. It is a treat to watch both the actress in the same scene near the end of the film. Nandita Das, Tota Roy Chowdhury and others played their characters to the hilt.

Shubho Mahurat bagged two awards at the National Film Awards, including Best Bengali Feature Film. It received the Silver Lotus Award at this ceremony as the Best Regional Film and Rakhee won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.