5 Bangla classics to binge watch in this lockdown
Alright if you are new to my blog, let me tell you that I am a Bong (cool lingo for Bengali 😆) who has been brought up in Delhi/ North India. Also I am married to a Banarasi so everything makes me a pot pourrie of cultures. Although I am a true Bengali at heart (by the richness of literature, dance, music, movies) but have never been able to explore much because of the remoteness from the actual hub. I am pretty much dependant on internet for Bangla entertainment as I want my toddler to understand her half background. During this lockdown, I found so many jewels on ZEE5, that I couldn't help sharing.
As you know already, ZEE5 has some great regional content. 12 Indian languages to be precise and over 1.25 lac hours of entertainment. Of course I was drawn to the Bangla genre as my eyes fell on same familiar, classic names.
Image Source: ZEE5
1. Chhoto Jigyasha: The title translates into 'A small inquiry' . I remember watching this movie with my parents when I was really small; maybe 20 years back? However the movie was so touching that I remember crying my heart out and recalling the plot and sharing it with my husband.
This movie is directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee in 1968, the man behind the innumerable loved classics like Anand, Chupke Chupke, Golmaal, Bawarchi, etc. Known as the Pioneer of 'Middle Cinema' his movies were filled with emotions.
The star cast was really interesting with Biswajeet (the beloved hero of Bengali cinema) and his real son Prosenjit Chatterjee (another heartthrob of Tollywood) who was very young then. Prosenjit received multiple awards for his performance in this film as a child artist.
The story is about a little boy whose mother dies. However he refuses to believe that his mother is no more and goes on a hunt to find her. He finds a woman in Dakshineshwar Temple who he pestures to be his mom. Ironically, that women had lost her son too. Eventually he gets his mother and she her son. A heart wrenching emotional story.
Image Source: ZEE5
2. Bomkesh Bakshi: This eponymous movie is Bengal's favourite detective. If you are a thriller lover (who is not duh) then this one is a must watch. I really love the seriousness with which Mr Byomkesh Bakshi solves the cases. Based on the fictional character 'Satyanweshi' meaning the inquisitor, by novelist Sharodindu Bandyopadhya, there have been numerous serials and movie remakes of this detective character.
This is the first and foremost movie so this one deserves a watch.
3. Byomkesh Bakshi Fire Elo: Translating to Byomkesh Bakshi returns. Now since you are in love with thrillers, that too of the 'Inquisitor' you need to watch it in the modern set up. This new Byomkesh Bakshi character is played by Abir Chatterjee, one of my favourite Tollywood heroes and he has done an excellent job. I happened to watch one in the theatres way back in 2012 and have been a fan ever since. The cinematography is alluring and so is the background score. The performances are stellar. All the movies in this series deserve a watch.
4. Punascha: Meaning 'Again'. This one is a serious adult drama. Starring the veteran Soumitra Chatterjee and Rupa Ganguly, the plot revolves around the relationship between an elderly author and his ex. Things go wrong when their affair surface out. Directed by Souvik Mitra.
Image source: ZEE5
5. Bhoot Bhuture Shomudure: Meaning ghosts in the sea.
So after a share of emotions, drama and thriller, here I am with a ghost story for kids. This movie is directed by Swapan Ghoshal and is based on a short story by Prafulla Roy (a Bengali short story writer)
The plot involves two siblings, Titli and Tabul, who goes to Digha (a popular coastal town in Bengal) in a family vacation. They find that Lalkamol babu, who occupied the next room, has disappeared without any trace. The two children, getting involved with this mystery, unexpectedly finds a group of ghosts. Intriguing? Watch it!
My lockdown is sorted with loads of content from my mother tongue. What about you?
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18 comments
Lol is hard not to binge being quarantined. I will not mind a slice of pizza. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of Bengali shows, as I find it hard enough to understand the Hindi ones without subtitles 😄... I have bong friends who may enjoy this though.
ReplyDeleteI do not understand Bengali but I do know that Byomkesh Bakshi is one of the famous characters. All my Bengali friends talk about that detective and the show. I have never watched Bengali shows maybe I should try some with subtitles.
ReplyDeleteByomkesh Bakshi is one of my favourite character. My blog partner is bengali and he will definitely going to love above Bangla Classics I am sharing this list with him.
ReplyDeleteAha nice to see the listing of bengali movies..discussing this with my mom now haha. With some tea and singada
ReplyDeletezee5 has full of entertainment. I dont know bangla but ZEE5 has amazing movies and shows, i have watched some.
ReplyDeleteBomkesh Bakshi is my fav too.. if subtitles are available. i would love to check out these series. i have been seeing kaali from zee5..thats also interesting.
ReplyDeleteI am married to a Bengali guy. Watching Bengali classic movies are quite normal in my house. I somehow love bangali movies but with subtitles. Your list is great.
ReplyDeleteManisha - Yes watching some old classics is always the best way to spend your weekends. Byomkesh Bakshi has been my all time favourite .
ReplyDeleteBomkesh Bakshi story and its sequel is of my interest coz I like thriller movies.
ReplyDeleteAlso, was it was remade in Bollywwod by Sushant Singh Rajput?
Your Review about Chhoto Jigyash movie sounds so touchy. Hope you had a great time watching the movies on zee5
ReplyDeleteThanks for these recommendations. I am sharing list with my bengali friends
ReplyDeleteI already love Bengali culture and now these movies gonna make perfect fit to my binge list this weekend.
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't know the Bengali language, I am definitely intrigued to watch Bangla classics. Thanks for the lovely recommendations, Mandira.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Bengali dramas before but Bonkesh Bakshi is a very popular name I've heard and I am gonna gonna watch it (with subtitles ofcours3)
ReplyDeleteOh wooow, being a Bong I was looking forward to watch some great Bong movies and now here you solved my problem. Seems these are good to spend my weekends with, Loved the collection.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing list to watch during lockdown at comfort of our home.
ReplyDeletemahekg - I watched some of your recommended movies and they were really good especially Byomkesh movie.
ReplyDelete