Kolkata, Mar 20 (PTI) The run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections is witnessing a mix of politics and popular culture, with several Bengali films with political and social themes hitting theatres, which industry observers describe as a “new phase” in regional cinema.
Films such as ‘Korpoor’, ‘Adamya’ and ‘Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat’ are part of this trend, with politically layered storytelling gaining ground amid the intense election cycle.
The development reflects a growing appetite for politically charged narratives in the state, where cinema has historically intersected with ideological discourse, from Mrinal Sen’s ‘Calcutta 71’ trilogy to Ritwik Ghatak’s ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara’ and later Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s ‘Grihajuddho’ and Goutam Ghosh’s ‘Paar’.
Two of the three films, running in theatres, are not directly linked to electoral campaigns, but explore themes of governance, power play in educational institutions and institutional corruption, dissent and rebellion against corruption — issues that resonate strongly during the poll season.
‘Korpoor’, a contemporary political drama directed by Arindam Sil released on March 19, is a drama-thriller that delves into layered socio-political tensions.
The film stars Rituparna Sengupta, Saheb Chatterjee, Bratya Basu and Lahoma Bhattacharjee in pivotal roles.
Notably, the presence of Basu, a minister and a theatre personality, adds a meta-political dimension to the narrative.
Industry insiders describe the film as a commentary on contemporary power dynamics and moral ambiguity, packaged within a thriller format.
Sil told PTI the film’s narrative is built upon the sudden disappearance of a senior and famous woman academic of a state-run university who was close to many political heavyweights of the then ruling dispensation.
Though less publicised, ‘Adamya’ is part of the current theatrical line-up in Kolkata, positioned within a broader trend of content-driven Bengali cinema.
Showing sympathy and solidarity with the cause of the rebels who might have chosen the wrong path but want to change society, ‘Adamya’ engages with themes of resilience, identity and systemic challenges.
“We are happy with the response and how ‘Adamya’ is getting stronger day after day,” director Ranjan Ghosh said.
Eminent Director-social activist Aparna Sen is the Presenter of Adamya, and attended the screening at an auditorium. She pledged support to the maker of Adanya.
The third film, ‘Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat: Revisiting revolutionary history’, is slated for release after the elections. It revisits the role of revolutionaries in anti-colonial struggles, including the Chittagong armoury raid, while reimagining their legacy through a contemporary lens.
The recently released teaser highlights themes of rebellion, justice and contested morality — portraying a figure seen by some as a hero and by others as an outlaw.
Perhaps the most explicitly political of the lot, and an action drama based on revolutionary Ananta Singh.
The film features Bengali superstar Jeet in the lead role, alongside critically acclaimed actors Tota Roy Chowdhury, Kaushik Sen and Rajatava Dutta.
Film scholars point out that Bengal’s cultural history, from the works of Satyajit Ray to politically charged theatre movements, has long engaged with ideological questions.
While producers maintain that release schedules are market-driven, trade observers believe the election season offers a conducive environment for such films.
“Public discourse is already politically charged. Films with similar themes find immediate resonance,” distributor Satadip Saha said.
With more releases expected in the coming months, including big-budget productions, the industry appears to be entering a phase where political narratives are not just topical but central to storytelling. PTI SUS MNB
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