The rise of regional cinema has been reckoning since the OTT came into existence. With south movies becoming pan-Indian, and the percolating craze of it can’t go in denial. Yet we do feel the Bengali film industry has been sabotaged throughout, and no language isn’t the barrier! It is because of the unnecessary adaptations of South and Bollywood movies that Bengali commercial films pick up on! The constant yearning to ‘fit in’ the parameter is where the art of Bangla has faded away. The dissipation of content, the techniques and the forms, plays an instrumental of the movie getting off sight.
However, it’s still not a catastrophe to spill our tears on! Because there have been countless Bengali movies that are terrifically worth watching. Here we have shared 8 most underrated Bengali movies that are quintessential for all movie buffs-
1. Subho Mahurat
Helmed by Rituparno Ghosh, the film is rooted in the novel by Agatha Christie, The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side. It revolves around the killing of an ageing actor, Kakoli, followed soon after her film’s first shot. Later a journalist, Mallika tries to solve the murder case with the help of her aunt. The cast ensemble includes Nandita Das, Sharmila Tagor, Rakhee Gulzar, and Kalyani Mandal.
2. Jonaki
Jonaki meaning ‘Firefly’ in English was a 2018 film directed by Aditya Vikram Sengupta. The story spins around an elderly woman who searches for memoirs of her times of love while on her deathbed. It is available on Netflix.
3. Phoring
Helmed by Indranil Roychowdhury, the story is about a teacher helping out a young boy with his lessons. However, the moment the boy starts to understand and learn the lessons, the teacher disappears. The story elevates the young boy’s quest for his teacher.
4. Doodhpither Gachh
Directed by Ujjwal Basu, the film shines a light on the innocence and whimsy of Gour (Harshil Das). The movie rotates around Gour and his adventure to his own dreamland. The movie lands on a metaphorical narrative in the end.
5. Shironam
The movie, directed by Indranil Ghosh puts light on the mad chase of TRP. It deals with the media’s lack of ethics and how it turns dirty to hit the headlines.
6. Ajantrik
The movie directed by Ritwik Ghatak spins around the life of Bimal, whose only companion is a taxi, which he calls Jagaddal.
7. Hanabari
Directed by Premendra Mitra, the film is an epic horror. The movie spins around an assassinator who disguises himself as a gorilla and scares off visitors, however, the mystery unfolds as the story elevates.
8. Gandu
Directed by Qaushiq Mukherjee who is fondly known as Q in Kolkata broke through this quirky creation. The film boasts of being unmercifully unpretentious storytelling and therefore was hailed with the Jury award at Best Film at the South Asian International Film festival. It was also selected at the Berlin Film Festival.
