Mahananda is a 2022 Indian Bengali-language biographical film directed by Arindam Sil.[1] The film is produced by Firdausul Hasan and Probal Halder under the banner of Friends Communication. The film is based on the life and works of the eminent writer and socio-political activist Mahasweta Devi.[2] The film stars Gargi Roychowdhury in the title role.[3]
| Mahananda | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Arindam Sil |
| Written by | Arindam Sil Shubhendu Dasmunshi |
| Produced by | Firdausul Hasan Probal Halder |
| Starring | Gargi Roychowdhury Debshankar Halder Ishaa Saha Arno Mukhopadhyay |
| Cinematography | Ayan Sil |
| Edited by | Sanglap Bhowmik |
| Music by | Bickram Ghosh |
Production company | Friends Communication |
| Distributed by | SSR Cinemas |
Release date |
|
Running time | 132 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Bengali |
Plot
editMohal Basu, an enthusiastic college student, wants to pursue her PhD research on the writer and socio-political activist Mahananda Bhattacharya. For that, she goes to Mahananda herself and a series of events occur in their lives which change Mohal mentally.[4]
Cast
edit- Gargi Roychowdhury as Mahananda Bhattacharya, an eminent writer and socio-political activist [5]
- Debshankar Haldar as Bidhan Bhattacharya, husband of Mahananda Bhattacharya [6]
- Ishaa Saha as Mohal Basu, a PhD scholar who is researching on the life and works of Mahananda Bhattacharya [7]
- Arno Mukhopadhyay as Bihan, Mohal's boyfriend
Soundtrack
edit| Mahananda | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 14 March 2022 |
| Genre | Film soundtrack |
| Length | 18:44 |
| Language | Bengali |
| Label | Friends Communication |
| Official audio | |
| Mahananda - Full Album on YouTube | |
All the songs are composed by Bickram Ghosh[8] and the lyrics are penned by Subhendu Dasmunshi.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rong Dhorese" | Subhendu Dasmunshi | Bickram Ghosh | Sahana Bajpaie | 2:34 |
| 2. | "Amar E Poth" | Rabindranath Tagore | Rabindranath Tagore | Sahana Bajpaie | 2:05 |
| 3. | "Mati Amar" | Subhendu Dasmunshi | Bickram Ghosh | Sahana Bajpaie | 3:26 |
| 4. | "Hey Ote" | Subhendu Dasmunshi | Bickram Ghosh | Dipannita Acharya | 3:51 |
| 5. | "Dhanuk Uthao" | Subhendu Dasmunshi | Bickram Ghosh | Timir Biswas, Dipannita Acharya | 3:16 |
| 6. | "Dhol Baje" | Subhendu Dasmunshi | Bickram Ghosh | Dipannita Acharya | 0:37 |
| 7. | "Jhanshi Song" | Subhendu Dasmunshi | Bickram Ghosh | Dipannita Acharya | 2:04 |
| Total length: | 18:44 | ||||
Release
editThe film was theatrically released on 8 April 2022.[9]
Reception
editMahananda has received positive to mixed reviews, with critics praising its narrative structure and performances but criticizing the characterization of its protagonist.[10][11][12] Sandipta Bhanja of The Indian Express wrote "The heart of this film is the music of Bickram Ghosh. Which gave another dimension to 'Mahananda'. Be it the use of Santali instruments in the background music or the song 'Rong Dhorese' sung by Sahana Bajpai. 'Mahananda' once again proved that Arindam-Bickram duo has undoubtedly set another milestone in Bengali cinema music. How did the indomitable struggle of a woman, the force of her mental strength put the ruling party in confusion? If you want to know then you can watch 'Mahananda' in theatres".[13] Ranabir Bhattacharyya of Hindustan Times wrote "The early events of Mahananda's life are especially marked on the screen. Bijan Bhattacharya's conversation with Mahasweta Devi seems to be caught effortlessly in moments of humility like those of Mahananda and Bidhan Bhattacharya. In Arno Mukhopadhyay, Ishaa Saha also catches the eye with their easy chemistry. Bickram Ghosh's music scheme has given a worthy accompaniment. And of course Sahana Bajpaie's songs should not be missed!Sabarni Das' costume design is the asset of this movie".[14]
References
edit- ^ "Arindam Sil on Mahasweta Devi film Mahananda: I wanted to create something that will inspire the next generation". The Indian Express. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Bengalis have chosen to forget Mahasweta Devi: Filmmaker Arindam Sil". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Mahananda: এলোমেলো সাদা চুল, মুখভর্তি বলিরেখা! চিনতে পারছেন এই অভিনেত্রীকে?". Hindustantimes Bangla (in Bengali). 2 January 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Mahananda (2022) - Movie | Reviews, Cast & Release Date in kolkata - BookMyShow". in.bookmyshow.com. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Gargee Roychowdhury: Playing Mahashweta Devi is a milestone in my career - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ সংবাদদাতা, নিজস্ব. "Mahananda: জোর কদমে আবার শ্যুটিং শুরু, 'মহানন্দা' মুক্তি পাবে পুজোতেই". www.anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "'Mahananda' is about Mahasweta Devi's principles". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Mahananda Music Launch: মহাশ্বেতা দেবীর জীবন থেকে অনুপ্রাণিত 'মহানন্দা'! রয়েছে রবীন্দ্রসঙ্গীত থেকে আদিবাসী সুর". Aaj Tak বাংলা (in Bengali). Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Arindam Sil's next 'Mahananda' to release on April 8 - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ Chakraborty, Shamayita (10 April 2022). "MAHANANDA MOVIE REVIEW". ETimes Entertainment Times. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ "Mahananda Movie Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Mahananda by Times of India". The Times of India. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ Sarkar, Roushni (10 April 2022). "Mahananda review: Commendable recreation of Mahasweta Devi's life highlights need to tap her legacy". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "পুঁজিবাদ, রাজনৈতিক স্বার্থের বিরুদ্ধে এক নারীর অদম্য লড়াইয়ের গল্প 'মহানন্দা'". The Indian Express (in Bengali). 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Mahananda Film Reviews: পর্দার মহানন্দা কি ধারে ভারে বাস্তবের মহাশ্বেতা দেবী হয়ে উঠল? উত্তরে চমক আছে". Hindustan Times (in Bengali). 9 April 2022.