Bhuvan Shome
| Bhuvan Shome | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Mrinal Sen |
| Written by | Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay |
| Produced by | Mrinal Sen Productions |
| Starring | Utpal Dutt Suhasini Mulay |
| Narrated by | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Cinematography | K. K. Mahajan |
| Music by | Vijay Raghav Rao |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Bhuvan Shomeis a 1969 Indian Hindi-languagedrama filmdirected byMrinal Sen[1]based on a Bengali story byBalai Chand Mukhopadhyay.[2]The cast includesUtpal Dutt(Bhuvan Shome) andSuhasini Mulay(Gauri, a village belle). The film is considered a landmark in modernIndian cinema.[3]
This was the debut film ofSuhasini Mulay.Amitabh Bachchanwas the narrator.[4]
Plot
[edit]Bhuvan Shome, a widower and a dedicated civil servant - strict and uncompromising - is a senior officer in the Indian Railways. The background of the film is constructed in the context of a few railway ticket checkers discussing him as a strict, unreasonable officer ( "afsar" ). It continues with him being described, by the narrator, as a man whose "Bengali" -ness has not been affected by his travels. His apparent age, late 50s, is an important element of his psychology.
Inspired by the idea of hunting, Bhuvan Shome takes a "hunting holiday" to Gujarat. It is quite clear that his expedition is amateurish. He is portrayed as an inept "hunter" rather than a man who knows how to acquire a skill.
His encounter with the young Gouri is fortuitous because it is she who takes care of him and helps "hunt" birds. She helps him through a barren wilderness, takes him home and takes care of him. When he is made to change his clothes because otherwise the "birds will know" and fly away is probably an important part of his transformation from a strict, conformist and aging man to one of a person more open to the stimuli of his environment.
The subsequent hunting sojourn of Gouri and Bhuvan Shome is a lyrical exploration of Bhuvan Shome's transformation. He is not only enamored by the simple beauty of Gouri, but also enchanted by the sights of birds on the lake and in the sky.
His hunt is "successful," but only in a way that reflects Bhuvan Shome's limitations as a man.
Bhuvan Shome is deeply affected by Gouri, who is actually schooled more than he could expect to be in that environment.
When he returns to his office chambers, he is seen to reprieve an offending railwayman. This is a sub-plot that completes the story and context of the initial narration.
Cast
[edit]- Utpal Duttas Bhuvan Shome
- Suhasini Mulayas Gauri
- Shekhar Chatterjee
- Sadhu Meher
- Punya Das
- Rochak Pandit
- Amitabh Bachchanas narrator
Themes
[edit]Bhuvan Shomeis said to have pioneered the Indian New Wave. It was one of the earliest films to get funded by theNational Film Development Corporation of India.The film deals with themes of monotony, solitude, camaraderie, and compassion. It also highlights the rural-urban divide in India.[5]
Awards
[edit]- Jury Prize for Mrinal Sen[6]
References
[edit]- ^"'Bhuvan Shome': Why this Mrinal Sen classic can teach you a lot about self-isolation and social distancing - Times of India ".The Times of India.Retrieved8 December2021.
- ^Banaphula (1970).Bhuvan Shome.Hind Pocket Books.
- ^Mrinal Senucla
- ^"Before stardom: Amitabh Bachchan's drudge years are a study in perseverance and persona building".[permanent dead link]
- ^Banerjee, Shampa; Srivastava, Anil (1988).One Hundred Indian Feature Films: An Annotated Filmography.Taylor & Francis.ISBN978-0-8240-9483-6.
- ^"4th IFFI".23 November 2019.
External links
[edit]- 1969 films
- 1960s Hindi-language films
- 1960s Indian films
- Indian avant-garde and experimental films
- Films directed by Mrinal Sen
- Films featuring a Best Actor National Award-winning performance
- Films whose director won the Best Director National Film Award
- Best Feature Film National Film Award winners
- Films based on works by Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay