Avijatrik | |
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Directed by | Subhrajit Mitra |
Screenplay by | Subhrajit Mitra |
Based on | Aparajito by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
Produced by | Gaurang Jalan Madhur Bhandarkar NCKS Explorations |
Starring | Arjun Chakrabarty Sabyasachi Chakraborty Arpita Chatterjee Ditipriya Roy |
Cinematography | Supratim Bhol |
Edited by | Sujay Datta Ray |
Music by | Bickram Ghosh Title track Sitar by Anoushka Shankar |
Production companies | Gaurang Films Bhandarkar Entertainment |
Distributed by | SSR Cinemas |
Release dates |
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Country | India |
Language | Bengali |
Avijatrik is a 2021 Bengali-language drama film, written and directed by Subhrajit Mitra and produced by Gaurang Jalan, co-produced by Madhur Bhandarkar. [1] [2] The screenplay is based on the novel Aparajito by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. The film released under the banner of Gaurang Films and Bhandarkar Entertainment. This is a sequel and concluding part of the Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy. [3] [4] [5]
The film premiered at the Kolkata International Film Festival in January 2021. [6] It has released theatrically on 3 December 2021.
Avijatrik is essentially the story of a journey depicting Apu's ardor to be a globetrotter, to experience outside world and immerse himself in myriad layers of life. The story revolves around a sublime bond between a father (Apu) and his 6-year-old son (Kajol) – wherein both are dependent on each other – heaping lavish affection and love for each other. The film has explored beautiful tapestry of pure interpersonal relationships to recreate magic of Apu– sharing adventures with his beloved son, Kajol.
Apu is a warm & affectionate father to Kajol who lost his dear mother to an unpropitious fate during his birth. Aparna, Apu's late wife still exists in his surreal space—a space where he involves himself in eternal philosophical discourses with his beloved.
Apu and Kajol now start a journey to the northern part of India from Kolkata since Apu has taken up a job of a resident teacher in an opulent estate. This journey creates an unfading and everlasting mark in Apu's heart as he chances upon his childhood sweetheart Leela, an astounding beauty whom he accidentally meets after ages. Leela, with her declining health is going to visit her daughter who stays with her grandmother in Benaras. Her marriage proved to be painful. Apu comes across a deserted and forlorn Leela; but loses her forever in few hours' times. Confessing her love for Apu, Leela succumbs to her illness and breathes her last in his arms. Apu is compelled to get down from the train to keep his promise of visiting Leela's mother and daughter in Benaras. As always, train (metaphor of a journey of life from one destination to another) and death once again play a pivotal catalyst in Apu's life.
As destiny desired, he meets Shankar in Benaras. Shankar is a middle-aged globetrotter who is an illustrious character immortalized by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay in another epic novel. Shankar is visiting some old Indian cities to explore the collective consciousness of this ancient civilization. Apu and Kajol are enthralled by his buoyant spirit of adventure and his ebullient soul-searching quest. Shankar triggers the passion of wanderlust in them and invites Apu to join him for his excavation tour to Borobodur, next month. Apu politely asks for some time to consider such a marvelous offer. He is worried about the safety and future of Kajol, in an unknown land though he harbors the vivacious spirit to see the world. The excitement is surging and pulsating in his veins, and he longs to set out on a timeless and adventurous journey.
This bohemian nature of Apu nudges him to forsake his job in North India. He soon returns to Calcutta for some time but suddenly falls ill. Young Kajol nurses his ailing father with utmost love and care. On the other hand, the ramifications of World War II and the armed freedom movements in India have also created havoc and precariousness in the streets of Calcutta. Apu's disquiet and fearful apprehensions about the well-being of Kajol prompts him to join Shankar and take his son away from this mayhem.
Before leaving his motherland Apu takes Kajol to his ancestral home at Nischindipur, for the very last time to revive and relive his childhood memories. There he meets his distant cousin sister Ranu and the rest of his relatives. Apu, for the last time, feels at home, at peace with himself amongst his near and dear ones in Nischindipur. He meets them after decades and showers in immense affection to feel contented, at this juncture of his life. Apu also feels the tender presence of his long-gone sister Durga in Ranu. He is delighted to feel the same fondness for Ranu as he did for his own sister Durga years ago. Kajol is equally loved and adored by everybody and soaks in the lap of their affection. Apu basks in the glory of his childhood sweet memories and the present moments, amidst his very own people.
Life has come to a full circle as he lives his moments through his son Kajol. Yearning for more adventure he finally bids farewell to his village, his city, his motherland and embarks on a spirited journey with Shankar and Kajol on some unknown terrains in search of new beginnings in a faraway land.
The film premiered at the 2021 Kolkata International Film Festival held from 7 to 14 January 2021. [6] The film was screened at London Indian Film Festival on 18 September 2021. [7] It has released theatrically on 3 December 2021.
Feluda, or Prodosh Chandra Mitra [Mitter], is a fictional detective, private investigator created by Indian director and writer Satyajit Ray. Feluda resides at 21 Rajani Sen Road, Ballygunge, Calcutta, West Bengal. Feluda first made his appearance in a Bengali children's magazine called Sandesh in 1965, under the editorialship of Ray and Subhas Mukhopadhyay. His first adventure was Feludar Goendagiri. Feluda is one of the most impactful Bengali characters of all time.
The Apu Trilogy comprises three Indian Bengali-language drama films directed by Satyajit Ray: Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956) and The World of Apu (1959). The original music for the films was composed by Ravi Shankar.
Pather Panchali is a 1955 Indian Bengali-language drama film written and directed by Satyajit Ray in his directoral debut and produced by the Government of West Bengal. It is an adaptation of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's 1929 Bengali novel of the same name and features Subir Banerjee, Kanu Banerjee, Karuna Banerjee, Uma Dasgupta, Pinaki Sengupta and Chunibala Devi in major roles. The first film in The Apu Trilogy, Pather Panchali depicts the childhood travails of the protagonist Apu and his elder sister Durga amidst the harsh village life of their poor family.
Aparajito is a 1956 Indian Bengali-language drama film written and directed by Satyajit Ray, and is the second part of The Apu Trilogy. It is adapted from the first half of Bibhutibhushan Bannerjee's novel Aparajito. It starts off where the previous film Pather Panchali (1955) ended, with Apu's family moving to Varanasi, and chronicles Apu's life from childhood to adolescence in college.
SoumitraChatterjee was an Indian film actor, play-director, playwright, writer, thespian and poet. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. He is best known for his collaborations with director Satyajit Ray, with whom he worked in fourteen films.
Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay ; 12 September 1894 – 1 November 1950) was an Indian writer in the Bengali language. His best known works are the autobiographical novel Pather Panchali, Aparajito (Undefeated), Chander Pahar and Aranyak.
Satyajit Ray (1921–1992), a Bengali film director from India, is well known for his contributions to Bengali literature. He created two of the most famous characters in Feluda the sleuth and Professor Shanku the scientist. He wrote several short novels and stories in addition to those based on these two characters. His fiction was targeted mainly at younger readers, though it became popular among children and adults alike.
Subrata Mitra was an Indian cinematographer. Acclaimed for his work in The Apu Trilogy (1955–1959), Mitra often is considered one of the greatest Indian cinematographers.
Madhur Bhandarkar is an Indian film director, script writer, and producer. In 2016, Bhandarkar was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour, by the Government of India.
Satyajit Ray was an Indian director, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, author, essayist, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligrapher, and composer. Ray is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential film directors in the history of cinema. He is celebrated for works including The Apu Trilogy (1955–1959), The Music Room (1958), The Big City (1963) and Charulata (1964) and the Goopy–Bagha trilogy.
Tota Roy Chowdhury is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Bengali and Hindi cinema. He is also known for his versatile acting performances, fitness, martial arts and dance moves. His notable roles include Feluda in the web TV series Feluda Pherot based on Satyajit Ray's Feluda series, Chandon Chatterjee in Karan Johar's film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Rohit Sen in Star Jalsha's daily soap Sreemoyee.
Subhrajit Mitra is a filmmaker from Kolkata, India. He is known for his work in the Bengali film industry.
Calendar Girls is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Madhur Bhandarkar and co-produced by Sangeeta Ahir and Bhandarkar Entertainment. Akanksha Puri played a main female lead role. The film's music was composed by Meet Bros Anjjan and Amaal Mallik. The film released on 25 September 2015. According to Bhandarkar, the story of Calendar Girls is 75% reality and 25% fiction.
Chorabali is a 2016 Bengali Suspense Thriller film directed by Subhrajit Mitra and produced by Pradip Churiwal, starring Barun Chanda, June Malia, Sayani Datta and Shataf Figar. The film is based on Agatha Christie's novel Cards on the Table.
Soukarya Ghosal is an Indian filmmaker, director, screenwriter, illustrator and music composer. He is widely considered for his work in Rainbow Jelly, a food fantasy film for the children in Bengali Cinema. His first feature film was Pendulum, bagged three awards in the 4th Mirchi Music Awards Bangla 2014 by Radio Mirchi.
Ditipriya Roy is an Indian television, film and theatre actress working in Bengali-language films and serials. She is known for portraying the character of Rani Rashmoni in the Bengali television series Karunamoyee Rani Rashmoni. Her movies include Avijatrik,Bob Biswas, Aay Khuku Aay, Kolkata Chalantika and Achena Uttam.
Supratim Bhol is an Indian cinematographer known majorly for his works in Hindi cinema and Bengali cinema. He is a member of ISC and has also worked in other regional language features and long length films in Haryanvi, Odia and Chhattisgarhi. Supratim an alumni of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) debuted as a Cinematographer with the film Colours of Innocence (2016), a National Award winner and this gave him his first nomination at Filmfare Awards East in 2017. His remarkable works till now are Panchlait, national award winner Avijatrik, FIPRESCI award winner Aparajito, Abyakto, Lomad and national award winner Dada Lakhmi. Suprartim won the 68th National Film Awards for Best Cinematography for Avijatrik and also Filmfare Award East in 2021.
Aparajito, also known as Aparajito – The Undefeated, is a 2022 Indian Bengali-language biographical film directed and co-written by Anik Dutta. It was produced by Firdausul Hasan and Probal Halder under the banner of Friends Communication, and is based on the making of the film Pather Panchali by Satyajit Ray. The film, being shot in black and white, stars Jeetu Kamal in the title role of Aparajito Ray.