36 Chowringhee Lane which released 40 years ago was Aparna Sen’s debut directorial effort. It is named after a building where Miss Violet Stoneham (Jennifer Kendal) resided. Having stumbled upon the film about two decades back, I wondered why it was named so. After all, the story was all about […]
Read Time : 8 Minutes
‘A Death in the Gunj’ review – when empathy is not on the family menu
“You are so pretty. You could be a girl.” “You left the child with that imbecile and forgot your responsibilities.” These epithets are not unfamiliar in Shutu’s (Vikrant Massey) everyday life. Shutu is meek, brooding. The latter in an unsexy way. Shutu’s cousin brother thinks he should toughen up and […]
Read Time : 4 Minutes
‘Shankhachil’ review – conscience knows no borders
“Panchi nadiyaan… pawan ke jhonken… Yunhi sarhad na… inhe roke…” Javed Akhtar’s National Award-winning lines from Refugee will be recalled as veteran Goutam Ghose’s latest Shankhachil concludes. A moving family drama underlined with layers of Indo-Bangladesh ties, religious and national identity, the film has a lot to say. Screened at […]
Read Time : 4 Minutes
‘Apur Panchali’ review – one of the finest Indian biographical films ever
Ever wondered what the kids of American sitcom “Small Wonder” could have grown up to? Or closer home we have had Master Raju (of Chitchor & Kitaab fame), Baby Naaz (of Boot Polish fame) among several others. Very early in their lives they discovered what limelight is all about and […]