Antony Firingee (film)

Last updated

Antony Firingee
Directed bySunil Bannerjee
Written bySunil Bannerjee
Screenplay bySunil Bannerjee
(Dialogues)
Based on Hensman Anthony life
Produced byBhola Nath Roy
Starring Uttam Kumar
Tanuja
CinematographyBijoy Ghosh
Edited byArdhendu Chatterjee
Music byAnil Bagchi
Recording - Adhir Bagchi
Production
company
B.N Production
Release date
  • 6 October 1967 (1967-10-06)
Running time
157 min.
CountryIndia
Language Bengali

Antony Firingee is a 1967 Indian biographical musical drama film directed by Sunil Bannerjee, starring Uttam Kumar and Tanuja on lead. It is a biopic based on the life of Anthony Firingee (Hensman Anthony), a Bengali language folk poet of Portuguese origin. Antony Firingee was a Portuguese-Indian who became a famous Bengali poet musician and fell in love with Nirupoma. She agreed to marry him after revealing her tragic history. But his fame was not enough to overcome their ostracisation and tragedy struck again.

Contents

This musical drama is purely based on the life of a Portuguese named Hensman Anthony. Anthony (Uttam Kumar) came to India and made Bengal his home. The Bengali folk songs and traditional music changed his life forever. Such was the effect that he even looked Bengal as his motherland. He even married a Hindu widow Nirupama (Tanuja). But he could not protect himself against the dirty orthodoxy beliefs that used to plague the land in that period. His wife was burnt to death because Antony was planning for a Durga Puja which was termed blasphemy by the then Brahmins. However, in real life, despite the odds of the society, Anthony and his wife lived happily and died natural deaths. That is the only difference the 1967 film had.

After the film's release, the poet name became "famous". [1] The film was noted for its music, sung by Manna Dey and Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, composed by Anil Bagchi & lyrics by Gouri Prasanna Majumdar and others. The film become an all-time blockbuster and the highest grossing Bengali film in 1967.

Plot

Hensman Anthony, commonly known as Antony Firingee became a Bengali language poet in the early part of the 19th century. The story revolves around his love for a courtesan Shakila, who he later marries and faces social ostracization. [2]

Cast

Soundtrack

Anthony Firingi
Soundtrack album by
Anil Bagchi
Released1967
Recorded1966
StudioB.N Production
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length0:32:31
Label Sa Re Ga Ma
Producer B.N Productions Pvt Ltd

Anil Bagchi is the music director of the film, while Aloknath Dey is the assistant music director. Many of the songs were critically and commercially successful.

Lyricist Gouri Prasanna Majumdar, Pranab Roy, Bholanath Nayak, Thakurdas Singha.

Playback singers are Manna Dey, Sandhya Mukherjee, Adhir Bagchi, Alok Bagchi, Tarun Bandyopadhyay, Shyamal Chakraborty, Chhaya Dey, Ruma Guha Thakurta, Malabika Kanan, Salil Mitra, Manabendra Mukherjee, Chitto Mukhopadhyay, Swapna Roy.

Selected track list

#TitleSinger(s) [3]
1"Aami Jamini Tumi Soshi He"Manna Dey
2"Ghiri Ghiri Aai"Sandhya Mukherjee
3"Ami Je Jalsaghare"Sandhya Mukherjee
4"Aami Je Jalsaghare"Manna Dey
5"Champa Chameli Golaperi"Manna Dey, Sandhya Mukherjee
6"Tunhu Mamo Monopran Hey"Sandhya Mukherjee
7"Maa Tui Aamay Daya Korbi"Manna Dey
8"Keu Ba Karchhen Barristeri"Manna Dey, Adhir Bagchi
9"Satya Bate Ami Jetete"Manna Dey, Adhir Bagchi
10"Shuno He Antony"Manna Dey, Alok Bagchi

Production

Anthony Firingi was based on the real life of Portuguese-Bengali folk poet Hensman Anthony. Written and directed by Sunil Bandyopadhyay. The film shooting was held in Midnapore district at that time, where the film. set was made. The Durga Dalan of Raibari of Jara dynasty, the Zamindar Palace and the Natmandir (Eshtablished by Ram Gopal Ray) in front of it was showing in the film that is photographed. Uttamkumar himself acted here. [4] The film also was shot in the location of Chanrakona, Jara Palace and also in Anthony Kalibari. The film also shot the scene of the famous folk poet's fight between Anthony and Vela Moira which occurred in the 19th century.

Tanuja acted in this film as Nirupa with Uttam Kumar. This is her second Bengali film and also the second film where Uttam and Tanuja worked together, working before in the 1963 blockbuster film Deya Neya . [5] Here Manna Dey playback for Uttam Kumar in all the songs because that time there is ego clash and brawl between Uttam and Hemanta Kumar. Hemanta who sang for Uttam most of the time and their pair is most popular in Bengali cinema. After the film Manna Dey song most songs for Uttam. [6]

Reception

The film is considered as one of the best film ever made of a real life incident. Uttam Kumar gave the new life to this character and the poet name became famous after this film. Hindustan Standard kept this film on Top five iconic of Uttam Kumar. The film is also remembered for its outstanding music and Uttam Manna Dey combination. They worked before in the blockbuster film Sankhyabela in 1966. But this film gave their pair a breakthrough. [7]

The film released at 1967 Durga Puja occasion in West Bengal and became an all-time blockbuster hit. It ran over 100 days in theater. It also became the highest grossing Bengali film in 1967 [8]

In 24th edition of Kolkata International Film Festivals (KIFF) Antony Firingee was shown on the opening theme. [9]

Spin off

Anthony Firingee character was again including in a film in 2014 named as Jatishwaar . Which is showing the re born of Hensman Anthony. The film was made by National Award winner director Srijit Mukherjee. Starring Prosenjit Chatterjee in double role as Hensman Anthony and Kushal Hazra. The film successful and wide praised by critics and also won four National Award of 2014. [10]

Awards

National Film Award
Bengal Film Journalists' Association Award

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uttam Kumar</span> Indian actor, director and producer (1926–1980)

Uttam Kumar, widely known as the Mahanayak, was an Indian film actor, producer, director, screenwriter, composer, and playback singer who predominantly worked in Bengali cinema. His career spanned three decades, from the late 1940s until his death in 1980. Kumar is regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema and also the most popular and successful film star in Bengal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanuja</span> Indian film actress

Tanuja Samarth, known mononymously as Tanuja, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in the Hindi film industry. Part of the Mukherjee-Samarth family, she is the daughter of actress Shobhna Samarth and producer Kumarsen Samarth, and was married to filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, with whom she has two daughters, actresses Kajol and Tanisha. A recipient of two Filmfare Awards, Tanuja is best known for her roles in the Hindi and Bengali films like Memdidi (1961), Deya Neya (1963), Chand Aur Suraj (1965), Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966), Jewel Thief (1967), Nai Roshni (1967), Antony Firingee (film) (1967), Pratham Kadam Phool (1969), Teen Bhubaner Pare (1969), Jeene Ki Raah (1969), Rajkumari (1970), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Anubhav (1971), Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972) and Do Chor (1972). Her pairings with actors Sanjeev Kumar,Uttam Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra were popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Uttam Kumar was an Indian actor, director, producer and singer who predominantly worked in Indian Cinema. Through his career he earned commercial as well as critical success, and he remains as an Bengal's cultural icon. For his ability to play roles of various types, Kumar is regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile actors in the history of Indian Cinema and is called as Mahanayak. Kumar was one of the most popular and successful actors in Bengali Cinema history. He debuted as Arun Kumar Chatterjee as a child artist in the 1948 film Drishtidaan directed by Nitin Bose. The film was unsuccessful. Next year he appeared as a leading hero as Uttam Chatterjee in the film Kamona 1949 which was flop again. He changed name again as Arup Kumar. In 1951 film Sahajatri he kept his name permanently as Uttam Kumar. But he gave back to back seven flop films and was stated as flop master general.

Anthony Firingee, born as Hensman Anthony, was a Bengali language kavigan singer-writer and folk poet of Portuguese origin known for his works in Bengali devotional songs in the early part of the 19th century. He was also noted for his performance in literary face-offs known as Kavigan.

Gauriprasanna Majumdar was an Indian lyricist and writer known for his work in Indian cinema and Bangladeshi cinema. He is most commonly associated with the black and white era of Bengali cinema, when he penned several enduring classics for films. Often considered as one of the greatest and most prominent lyricists of the golden era of Bengali cinema, he is a recipient of numerous accolades. He won the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards for best lyricist for Swaralipi (1962), Palatak (1964), Anthony Firingee (1968), Bon Palashir Padabali (1974), Sanyasi Raja (1976) and Anurager Chhoan. He also won National Film Awards of Bangladesh for Sesh Porjonto (1969).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chhaya Devi</span> Indian actress (1914–2001)

Chhaya Devi was an Indian actress known for her work in Bengali and Hindi cinema. She appeared in hundreds of films for over five decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sudhin Dasgupta</span> Musical artist

Sudhin Dasgupta was a prolific Bengali music director, lyricist, and singer. He worked in various other Indian languages, such as Hindi, Assamese and Oriya. His contribution opened a new horizon to the Bengali music for both the arenas of Bengali basic song as well as Bengali film song.

<i>Rajkanya</i> (1965 film) 1965 Indian film

Rajkanya is a 1965 Bengali film directed by Sunil Bandyopadhyay. The movie was based on a story and screenplay by legendary film director Ritwik Ghatak. Uttam Kumar, Rina Ghosh, Bhanu Bandopadhyay, and Tarun Kumar portray the main characters.

<i>Nishi Padma</i> 1970 Bengali drama film written and directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay

Nishi Padma is a 1970 Bengali drama film written and directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay, based on a short story Hinger Kochuri by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, and starring Uttam Kumar and Sabitri Chatterjee as leads. The film had music by Nachiketa Ghosh, and went on to win two awards at the 1970 National Film Awards: Manna Dey won Best Male Playback Singer for "Ja Khushi Ora Bole", while Sandhya Mukherjee won the Best Female Playback Singer for "Ore Sakol Sona Molin Holo".

Ganadevata is a 1978 Bengali drama film directed by Tarun Majumdar, based on a novel by same name by Tarashankar Bandopadhyay. The film stars Soumitra Chatterjee, Ajitesh Bannerjee, Samit Bhanja, Rabi Ghosh and Anup Kumar in lead roles. The epic novel is set in the 1920s during the British Raj, about the breakdown of socio-economic structures, impact of industrialization and non-cooperation movement in rural Bengal. It had also won the writer Bandopadhyay, the1967Jnanpith Award.

Mouchak is a Bengali romantic comedy film directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay. The film stars Uttam Kumar, Sabitri Chatterjee, Ranjit Mullick, Mithu Mukherjee, Sulata Choudhury, Ratna Ghoshal, and Nripati Chattopadhyay in lead roles. Nachiketa Ghosh scored the music in the film. The film was released on 10 January 1974. The film is one of the best and most popular comedy film ever. The film became blockbuster hit at the box office.

<i>Trijama</i> 1956 Indian film

Trijama is a 1956 Indian Bengali-language romantic drama film directed by Agradoot, based on Subodh Ghosh's novel of the same name. This film was released under the banner of Sunrise Films. Music direction of the film was made by Nachiketa Ghosh. Film starring Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen in lead role. It's critically acclaimed but become semi hit at the box office. But in 1960s when the film was re released it's become huge blockbuster hit at the box office.

Nishan is a Bengali language action drama film directed by S.S. Balan. This film was released on 4 August 1978 in the banner of Gemini Production Circuit Private Limited.

Nabyendu Chatterjee was an Indian Bengali and Hindi film director and producer. A director of twelve feature films and three documentaries, Nabyendu has curved out a sure niche for him in the field of serious and useful cinema of India.

Fuleswari is a Bengali romance drama film directed by Tarun Majumdar based on a story of Bibhutibhushan Mukhopadhyay. and produced by Kartik Chandra Barman. The film was released on 3 May 1974 under the banner of Radharani Pictures. Hemanta Mukhopadhyay was music director of the film.

<i>Stree</i> (1972 film) 1972 Indian film

Stree is a 1972 Bengali film directed by Salil Dutta starring actors Uttam Kumar, Soumitra Chatterjee and Arati Bhattacharya in lead roles. Nachiketa Ghosh composed the music. The film was remade in Hindi as Ayaash. Film was based on the novel of Bimal Mitra as same title and the era of the plot showing during the Second World War. The film showed Uttam's another one of the best performance and clash with Soumitra. The film become blockbuster hit at the box office. The films was dominated at the BFJA Award 1973 and goes to win seven awards.

Priyo Bandhabi is a 1975 Bengali film directed by Hiren Nag. This film written by Prabodh kumar Sanyal. The film has been music composed by Nachiketa Ghosh. This is a drama film. The film starring Tarun Kumar Chatterjee, Bhanu Bannerjee, Suchitra Sen, Dilip Mukherjee, Haradhan Bannerjee and Uttam Kumar in the lead roles.

References

  1. ↑ "Mr & Mrs Antony Firingee". The Telegraph. 4 August 2013. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2013. made famous by Uttam Kumar in the film Antony Firingee
  2. ↑ Russell Campbell (2006). Marked Women: Prostitutes and Prostitution in the Cinema. Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 182. ISBN   978-0-299-21253-7.
  3. ↑ "Antony Firingee Album". Spotify. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021.
  4. ↑ "চলচ্চিত্রের অনুষঙ্গে অবিভক্ত মেদিনীপুর" . Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  5. ↑ Prohor. "অবাঙালি হয়েও ডাবিং করতেন নিজেই; যেভাবে বাংলার 'নন্দিনী' হয়ে উঠলেন মারাঠি তনুজা - Prohor". অবাঙালি হয়েও ডাবিং করতেন নিজেই; যেভাবে বাংলার ‘নন্দিনী’ হয়ে উঠলেন মারাঠি তনুজা - Prohor. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  6. ↑ সংবাদদাতা, নিজস্ব. "Uttam Kumar | Uttam Kumar: উত্তম-হেমন্ত বিবাদেই মহানায়কের 'লিপ'-এ গাওয়ার সুযোগ পান মান্না দে, শ্যামল মিত্র?". www.anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  7. ↑ "উত্তমকুমারকে খুব শ্রদ্ধা করতেন মান্না দা". www.anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  8. ↑ desk, Rojdin (8 October 2019). "পুজোয় মুক্তি পাওয়া ছবিতে এখনও এক নম্বরে উত্তমকুমার". রোজদিন.in. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  9. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (23 November 2018). "Notes from the Kolkata International Film Festival". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  10. ↑ prosenjitblog (19 January 2015). "Jaatishwar Completes One Year". prosenjitblog. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "National Awards for Films: Uttam Kumar (1967)" (PDF). Dff.nic.in. Directorate of Film Festivals. 25 November 1968. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  12. ↑ The Times of India, Entertainment. "National Awards Winners 1967: Complete list of winners of National Awards 1967". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.