Page 16 - Seniors Today - April Issue
P. 16
Raja, the only condition being that they can but Soumitra Chatterjee.
only benefit if they are together. They land A young boy, Mukul,
up in the kingdom of Shundi where they claims to have memories
are appointed court musicians, go through of his past life that
several ups and downs, manage to avert include a golden fortress.
a battle, unite warring brothers, defeat Dr. Hemanga Hajra
baddies and win the hands of princesses. (Sailen Mukherjee), a
The film disappointed a few critics, but parapsychologist, takes
was a smash hit at the box-office. Ray made the boy to Rajasthan, the possible location
a sequel, Hirak Rajar Deshe in 1980, and of his visions. Two criminals, Burman and
his son Sandip Ray directed Goopy Bagha Bose, plan to kidnap Mukul and fail in their
Phire Elo (19920, written by his father. first attempt. The boy’s father requests
Feluda to protect Mukul. Feluda goes to
Aranyer Din Ratri (1969): Rajasthan along with his sidekick Topshe
This film, with its star (Siddhartha Chatterjee) and is joined by
cast, including Ray thriller writer, Jatayu (Santosh Dutta).
favourites – Soumitra Burman and Bose manage to kidnap Mukul
Chatterjee, Sharmila and push Dr. Hajra off a cliff. Feluda has
Tagore, Rabi Ghosh, to expose the frauds and save the boy,
Aparna Sen-- was based which takes him on a wild pursuit over
on a story by Sunil picturesque desert landscapes.
Gangopadhyay, and is
about a group of four friends, who go for Shatranj Ke Khilari
an outing to a forest to drink, make merry (1977):
and leave their worries behind. The people One of the two non-
they meet, the conversations they have, Bengali films that Ray
the love they find and lose before they made—the other being
finally go back to civilization is the gist Sadgati—this sumptuous-
of this complex and fascinating look at looking film is based on
the lifestyles of callow urban men. Simi a short story by Munshi
Garewal made an appearance as a tribal Premchand. Sanjeev Kumar and Saeed
woman, a role quite a variance with the Jaffrey played the chess players of the
sophisticated image she cultivated later. title, whose absorption in their game is
Ray made several observations about social so complete that they are oblivious to the
mores of the time, the hypocrisy of the so- turbulence around them. The British, led by
called modern male, and the quiet dignity General Outram (Richard Attenborough),
of the women. are waiting to annexe Awadh, ruled by
the artistic and indolent Nawab Wajid Ali
Sonar Kella (1974): Shah (Amjad Khan), but the two noblemen
In this crime thriller, Ray’s creation, neglect their wives (Shabana Azmi, Farida
the popular fictional detective, Prodosh Jalal), ignore the takeover of the kingdom
Chandra Mitter, better known as Feluda, by the East India Company and run off to a
makes an appearance, played by who else small village to continue the game.
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