Other than the famous “Apu Trilogy” by the master film-maker, another series of his films referred to as “Calcutta (Kolkatta) Trilogy” (Bengali) is an even more significant contribution of Satyajit Ray to the world of cinema as I strongly feel. Since this focuses more on the hardships of life in a metro city, with which the young educated minds can relate to instantly. Unfortunately, the theme of all films included in this thoughtful trilogy is still relevant in our country/society even after more than four decades of the so called economic and technological development. And the films talk about the burning social problems of unemployment, underemployment and dissatisfaction from life as faced by the youth of our country even in 2014.
Pratidwandi (“The Adversary” - 1970) : As the first part of the “Calcutta Trilogy”, the film is set in the period of political turmoil in the country as well as in Bengal and revolves around an educated young man from a middle-class family facing the consequences of this social unrest having corruption, unemployment and extreme competition all around him including his family members. The film was based on an original story/novel by Sunil Gangopadhyay.
Seemabaddha (“Company Limited” – 1972) : The second film in the trilogy is about a young executive’s ladder of success in a private firm and the choices he has to make while climbing on it dealing with his own professional career, family and personal relationships. The film was based on the novel by Mani Shankar ukherjee and had a very apt depiction of corporate world and the blind rat race followed by all living in that monetary world.
Jana Aranya (“The Middleman” – 1976) : As the last but the boldest among the three, this takes you into the dark world behind the glossy curtains of the rich society and has a severe shock too in store for its viewers. Based on the novel of Mani Shankar Mukherjee only the film focuses on its lead character who takes a very debatable step in the climax to earn the much needed money, a step which goes way beyond the imagination of viewer without any doubt.
Now though the famous “Calcutta (Kolkatta) Trilogy” by Ray, gets complete by the mention of these three films. Yet I would personally like to add another significant film to the series titled “Mahanagar” since that too reveals another hidden aspect of our society related with the working women in the cities and the male ego.
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Mahanagar (“The Big City” – 1963) : Made years before the first film of the “Calcutta Trilogy” this is one of the most important films of Satyajit Ray talking about working women and what all they have to face in the office working with mostly male colleagues. Strangely a woman also has to tackle with some similar difficulties at her home too, even when she is the only earning member of the family, providing them everything. The film is all about the place of women in our so called grown up society and the dominance of male ego all around operating shamelessly. And since Mahanagar also talks about the metro city and its problems too, hence I would strongly like to recommend it to all interested friends along with the three gems included in the famous “Calcutta Trilogy” mentioned above. So do spare some of your valuable time and watch this second series of the world renowned master director Satyajit Ray as a must.
Screenplay, Music and Directed By Satyajit Ray
- Pratidwandi (“The Adversary” - 1970)
Featuring Dhritiman Chatterjee, Asgar Ali and more in the lead.
- Seemabaddha (“Company Limited” – 1972)
Featuring Sharmila Tagore, Barun Chanda, Paromita Chowdhury, Harindernath Chattpadhyay and others.
- Jana Aranya (“The Middleman” – 1976)
Featuring Pradip Mukherjee, Rafiq Ahmed, S. Bagchi and more.
- Mahanagar (“The Big City” – 1963)
Featuring Madhabi Mukherjee, Anil Chatterjee, Jaya Bhaduri and others.
Tags :
Satyajit Ray, Mahanagar, Pratidwandi, Jana Aranya, Apu Trilogy, Three Gems form Satyajit Ray, Movies to See Before You Die, Must See Movies List By Bobby Sing, Drama, Movies on Unemployment, Movies on Indian Social Problems, Movies on Poverty, Seemabaddha, Satyajit Ray's Calcutta Trilogy with an additional film
