Bela (film)

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Bela
Directed byAnilava Chatterjee
Produced byGreymind Communications Private Limited
Starring Rituparna Sengupta
Biswajit Chakraborty
Manasi Sinha
Bhaswar Chatterjee
Sourav Chakraborty
Bhadra Basu
Debdut Ghosh
Debapratim Dasgupta
Padmanabha Dasgupta
Bulbuli Panja
Rajannya Mitra
Srija Bhattacharyya
Aryuun Ghosh
Basabdatta Chattopadhyay
CinematographySaurav Banerjee
Edited bySujay Datta Ray
Music by Ranajoy Bhattacharjee,
Distributed by PVR Inox Pictures
Release date
  • 29 August 2025 (2025-08-29)
Running time
114 Minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageBengali

Bela is an Indian Bengali-language biographical film based on the life of Bela Dey, [1] a pioneering radio personality associated with Akashvani Kolkata. The film traces her journey following the abandonment by her husband, her subsequent reinvention while living in England, and her return to India, where she created the influential radio programme Mohila Mahal, [2] which addressed social issues and reached millions of women listeners. The film highlights her resilience and role in challenging societal norms and promoting women's empowerment. Directed by Anilava Chatterjee, the film stars Rituparna Sengupta in the titular role and pays tribute to Bela Dey's legacy in Bengali media. [3]

Contents

Bela was released on 29th August 2025. It was produced under the banner of Greymind Communications Private Limited. [4] Rituparna Sengupta plays the lead role of Bela Dey. [5] Padmanabh Dasgupta, Biswajit Chakraborty, Devdoot Ghosh, Devpratim Dasgupta, Bhaswar Chatterjee and Manasi Sinha play supporting roles. [6]

This film is Anilava Chatterjee' first film as a director. [7] [8] The film was shot over a period of about a month and a half in various locations in Kolkata.

Plot

In Bela, director Anilavaa Chatterjee depicts 1960s Calcutta while chronicling the life and career of radio personality Bela Dey. [9] The film portrays her journey from personal adversity to professional recognition, highlighting her determination and resilience. It focuses on her role as the creator and host of the radio programme Mohila Mahal on All India Radio, through which she became an influential voice on women's issues and inspired a wide audience. [10] [11] [12]

Releases

Bela Film Trailer was released on 16th August 2025. [13]

Cast

Reception

Poorna Banerjee of Times of India gave it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 saying that, Rituparna Sengupta's performance alone makes it worth watching, but coupled with an inspiring story, strong music, and heartfelt direction, it becomes a moving reminder of how one voice can echo across generations and influence thoughts that bring progress. [16] Ranjan Bandyapadhya of Sangbad Pratidin said that, The film's greatest strength is Rituparna's portrayal of Bela, where her restrained yet fire-within performance brings the once-forgotten, luminous Bela Dey vividly back to life. [17]

References

  1. "Team Bela rediscovered the charm of a space filled with memories on a visit to iconic radio broadcaster Bela Dey's home". t2online.in. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  2. Indiablooms (2025-08-16). "'Bela' reminded me of my mother who is no more: Rituparna Sengupta at trailer launch event | Indiablooms - First Portal on Digital News Management". India Blooms. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  3. "In Bela, Rituparna Sengupta convincingly embraces the role of a radio legend. Glimpses from the premiere..." t2online.in. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  4. The New Nation, The New Nation (2025-08-27). "Rituparna coming to screen as Bela Dey". The New Nation. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  5. "Rituparna Sengupta stars as Bela Dey in an upcoming film that honours the legacy of the pioneering radio personality". t2online.in. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  6. Bela Movie: Showtimes, Review, Songs, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos | eTimes . Retrieved 2026-01-08 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  7. "Bela: The voice that empowered women, now immortalised on screen". www.businesseconomics.in. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  8. Ganguly, Dharitri (2025-09-17). "Glimpses from the premiere of Rituparna Sengupta's Bela". Indulgexpress. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  9. thekolkatamail (2025-07-29). ""Bela Dey Is A Great Inspiration For Us"- Rituparna Sengupta" . Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  10. "In Bela, Rituparna Sengupta convincingly embraces the role of a radio legend. Glimpses from the premiere..." t2online.in. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  11. MPost (2025-07-31). "Bela De is an inspiration: Rituparna Sengupta". www.millenniumpost.in. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  12. আনন্দবাজার ডট কম সংবাদদাতা. "দেশভাগের সময়ের 'রেডিয়ো জকি', 'ফুডব্লগার' বেলা! প্রকাশ্যে ঋতুপর্ণার নতুন ছবির প্রথম ঝলক" (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  13. "Bela - Official Trailer". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  14. "'রান্নার জিনিয়াস' বেলা দের চরিত্রে ঋতুপর্ণা সেনগুপ্ত, পরিচালনায় অনিলাভ". sangbadpratidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  15. IBNS (2025-08-16). "'Bela' reminded me of my mother who is no more: Rituparna Sengupta at trailer launch event". Northeast Herald. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  16. "Bela Movie Review: Rituparna Sengupta gloriously revives a forgotten radio icon". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  17. "বাঙালির ভুলে যাওয়া দীপ্তিময়ীকে ফিরিয়ে দিল ঋতুপর্ণার 'বেলা', পড়ুন রিভিউ". sangbadpratidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2026-01-22.