Chander Pahar | |
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Created by | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
Original work | Chander Pahar (1937) |
Print publications | |
Novel(s) | Chander Pahar (1937) Chander Upatyaka (2015) Rajhangsir Sarobar (2017) |
Comics | Moon Mountain (2014) Amazon Obhijaan (2017) |
Films and television | |
Film(s) | Chander Pahar (2013) Amazon Obhijaan (2017) |
Audio | |
Radio program(s) | Chander Pahar (Sunday Suspense) |
Soundtrack(s) | Chander Pahar (2013) Amazon Obhijaan (2017) |
Chander Pahar is an Indian Bengali language franchise consisting of novels, graphic novels and a film series. The original work is a 1937 novel [1] named Chander Pahar , written by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. [2] It was translated to English in 2002 by Santanu Sinha Choudhuri and Pradeep Kumar Sinha, published by Orient Blackswan. The English version of the novel was titled Mountain of the Moon. Bandyopadhyay’s story was adapted into a Graphic novel and a live-action film in 2013. [3] A sequel to the 2013 film Amazon Obhijaan , written by the director of the first film Kamaleswar Mukherjee, is released in Christmas 2017. [4]
This novel tells the story of an ordinary young Bengali man, Shankar Roy Chowdhury, as he adventures in Africa in the years 1909 and 1910. After graduating from college at 20-years-old, his family's financial struggles almost force him take a job in a jute mill in Shyamnagar — a prospect he absolutely loathes.
Because loves the subject of geography, he wants to follow the footsteps of renowned explorers like Livingstone, Mungo Park, and Marco Polo. He wants to explore the wilderness, passionate for learning about African forests and animals. By a stroke of luck, he gets a job as a clerk at the Uganda Railway and rushes to Africa without a second thought.
After a few months laying rail tracks, he encounters the first of many dangers in pre-World War I Africa: a man-eating lion. Later, he takes up a job as station-master in a desolate station amidst the Veldts, where he to narrowly escapes a deadly black mamba. While at this post, Shankar encounters, rescues and nurses Diego Alvarez, a middle-age Portuguese explorer and gold/diamond prospector. Alvarez's arrival becomes a turning point in Shankar's life.
While recovering, Alvarez describes his exploits in Africa with his friend Jim Carter. He explains that, lured by the prospect of a priceless yellow diamond from a Kaafi village chief, Alvarez and Carter searched for these yellow diamond caves, on the Mountain of the Moon (Chander Pahar) in the Richtersveld. Rumors suggested a mythical monster, the Bunyip, guards the mine. The explorers set off into the dense jungle, much against the villagers' advice, and Carter was gruesomely killed, supposedly by the Bunyip.
Shankar, inspired by Alvarez's exploits, resigns from his job and accompanies Alvarez to venture again for the mines. They meet hardships, like a raging volcano. Eventually, they get lost in the forests where Alvarez is killed by the Bunyip. Demoralised, Shankar tries to return to civilization. He finds the Bunyip's cave and the diamond mines by accident. Almost getting lost, he finds the remains of the Italian explorer, Attilio Gatti, and learns that the cave is in fact the diamond mine.
Leaving, he becomes lost in the deserts of Kalahari and nearly dies of thirst. Fortunately, he is rescued by a survey team and taken to a hospital in Salisbury, Rhodesia, from where he sets sail for home. Before going back, he writes his account in a newspaper, earning him money. He names the volcano after Alvarez. He ends the book saying that he will return to the cave one day with a large team, and continue the legacy of Alvarez, Carter, and Gatti.
Prasad Das Bandyopadhyay is now at Brazil and doing rubber business. Where Shankar was called by him to take a part in that business. Soon Shankar finds that he has been called here for a different reason. He learns, the treasure of last Inca king Atahualpa was hidden somewhere in Amazon. He tries to explore the place.
Prasad Das Bandyopadhyay is now at Russian jail. A mysterious lady invites Shankar to Russia to hel Prasad Das. After arriving Russia Shankar gets involved into a conspiracy, which might led to a worldwide devastation.
Moon Mountain | |
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Date | 15 Feb 2014 |
Page count | 160 pages |
Publisher | Penguin India |
Creative team | |
Writers | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay Saurav Mohapatra (essay) |
Artist | Sayan Mukherjee |
Creator | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
Original publication | |
Language | English |
ISBN | 9780143332589 |
Moon Mountain is a 2014 Graphic novel adapted from Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's classic Chander Pahar. The graphic novel is published by Penguin Books India, has its script written by Saurav Mohapatra with illustrations by Sayan Mukherjee [6] [7] [8]
Amazon Obhijaan is a 2017 Graphic novel based on the film of the same name. [9] The graphic novel is written by film's director Kamaleswar Mukherjee, and available in two languages - English and Bengali. [10] The graphic novel acts as a promotional activity for the film. It is released on 11 November 2017. [11]
A film based on the novel, directed by Kamaleshwar Mukherjee was released on 20 December 2013 (27 December 2013 in all over India). [12] The film, poorly received by critics and the Bengali audience,[ citation needed ] was produced by Shree Venkatesh Films and has been shot on locations across Africa. It was reportedly being made with a budget of nearly ₹150 million (US$1.9 million), making it one of the most expensive in the Bengali film industry.
Director Kamaleshwar Mukherjee mentioned Chander Pahar as his "Dream Project". The film has reportedly incorporated CGI and visual effects at par with Hollywood and Bollywood standards. Dev plays the role of the main protagonist, Shankar. [13] Most of the other cast members are from South Africa. According to the crew members, it took a considerable time to decide who would play the role of Diego Alvarez, and South African actor Gérard Rudolf was selected. The first theatrical trailer of the film was released by Shree Venkatesh Films, at the Kolkata Nicco park on 14 November 2013.
Shooting locations include Kruger National Park, the mountains of Drakensberg, and the deserts of Kalahari. [14]
According to a Bengali magazine, director Kamaleshwar Mukherjee is already penning the script, taking the story forward from where it left and Dev has been quoted as saying that the next location, after the African safari, will be the dense forests of Amazon rainforest. [15] The film has been titled Amazon Obhijan. [4]
The story of the film is original, written by Kamaleshwar Mukherjee with some character reprising their roles from the original Chander Pahar . Reportedly it will be made with a budget of whopping ₹20 crores. [16]
The shooting of this film has been started from May 2016 and ended in July 2017. [17]
A sequel to Amazon Obhijaan is instantly announced after the release of the film. Commonly referred as Shankar's Next Adventure the film announced along with 24 more films of 3 upcoming years. [18]
Character | Film | ||
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Chander Pahar (2013) | Amazon Obhijaan (2017) | Shankar's Next Adventure (TBA) | |
Shankar Roy Chowdhury | Dev | ||
Shankar’s mother | Laboni Sarkar | ||
Shankar’s father | Tamal Roy Chowdhury | Tamal Roy Chowdhury (Photo only) | |
Diego Alvarez | Gérard Rudolf | Mentioned only | |
Jim Carter | Martin Cito Otto | ||
Turumal Appa | Nabeel Khan | ||
Attilio Gatti | Andrew Stock | ||
Albuquerque | David James (cameo) | ||
Zulu Chief | Peter Moruakgomo | ||
Zulu King | Matthew Monika | ||
Patel | Rafiq Jibhay | ||
Prasad Das | Keith Gendagoo | ||
Dan Mabiru | Luthuli Dlamini | ||
Masai Chief | Ramambila Muladelo | ||
Bunyip | Animated character | ||
Marco Florian | David James | ||
Ankoma | Eduardo Munniz | ||
Anna Florian | Svetlana Gulakova | ||
Doctor | Augusto Cesar |
Occupation | Film | |
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Chander Pahar (2013) | Amazon Obhijaan (2017) | |
Director | Kamaleswar Mukherjee | |
Producer(s) | Mahendra Soni Shrikant Mohta | |
Screenplay | Kamaleswar Mukherjee | |
Story | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay | Kamaleswar Mukherjee |
Composer(s) | Indraadip Das Gupta Debojyoti Mishra | Indraadip Das Gupta |
Cinematography | Soumik Haldar | |
Editor | Raviranjan Maitra | |
Film | Release date | Budget | Box office revenue |
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Chander Pahar | 20 December 2013 | ₹150 million (US$1.9 million) | ₹200 million (US$2.5 million) [19] [20] |
Amazon Obhijaan | 22 December 2017 | ₹200 million (US$2.5 million) [21] | ₹486.3 million (US$6.1 million) [22] [23] |
Total | ₹350 million (US$4.4 million) Two films | ₹686.3 million (US$8.6 million) Two films |
Year | Award Name | Result |
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2014 | Filmfare Awards East for Best Film – Bengali [24] | Won |
Filmfare Awards East for People's Choice Best Actor – Global - (Dev) for Mountains of the moon | Won | |
Filmfare Awards East for Best Director – Bengali - Kamaleshwar Mukherjee | Nominated | |
Filmfare Awards East for Best Actor Male – Bengali - (Dev) | Nominated | |
Tollywood National Award for Best film | Won | |
Tollywood National Award for Best film in critics | Won | |
Tollywood National Award for Best Actor (Male) (Dev) | Won | |
Star Jalsha Entertainment Award for Best Film of the year | Won | |
Star Jalsha Entertainment Award for Best Actor (Dev) | Won | |
Zee Bangla Gourab Somman Awards for Biggest Superhit film of the year | Won | |
Zee Bangla Gourab Somman Awards for Best Actor (Male) (Dev) | Won | |
Zee Bangla Gourab Somman Awards for Best Director Kamaleshwar Mukherjee | Won | |
Kalakar Awards for Best Actor (Dev) | Won | |
Kalakar Awards for Best Film | Won | |
Kalakar Awards for Best Director (Kamaleshwar Mukherjee) | Won |
Mountains of the Moon is a legendary mountain or mountain range in east Africa at the source of the Nile River. Various identifications have been made in modern times, the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo being the most celebrated.
Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay ; 12 September 1894 – 1 November 1950) was a Bengali writer. His best known works are the autobiographical novel Pather Panchali, Aparajito (Undefeated), Chander Pahar and Aranyak.
Mountains of the Moon may refer to:
Chander Pahar is a Bengali adventure novel written by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay and published in 1937. The novel follows the adventures of a young Bengali man in the forests of Africa. The novel is one of the most-loved adventure novels in the Bengali literature and is one of Bibhutibhushan's most popular works. It spawned a media franchise.
Saurav Mohapatra is a filmmaker and writer based out of San Francisco, California, USA.
Deepak Adhikari, known by his stage name Dev, is an Indian actor, producer, singer and screenwriter, known for his works in Bengali cinema and more recently, a politician. He owns the production house Dev Entertainment Ventures.
Meghe Dhaka Tara is a 2013 Indian Bengali film directed by Kamaleswar Mukherjee and made under Shree Venkatesh Films banners. The film is inspired from the life and works of Bengali film director Ritwik Ghatak. The entire film is in black and white except the last scene which has been shot in colour. In this film Saswata Chatterjee plays the character of Nilkantha Bagchi and Ananya Chatterjee plays the role of Durga, Nilkantha's wife. The film was released on 14 June 2013. Besides giving an account of Ghatak's life, the film also depicts the socio-political environment of contemporary West Bengal during the Tebhaga and Naxalite movements.
Kamaleswar Mukherjee, M.B.B.S. is an Indian film director, actor, and physician known for his work in Bengali-language films. Films directed by him include Chander Pahar (2013), Meghe Dhaka Tara (2013), Amazon Obhijaan (2017) Cockpit (2017).
Chander Pahar is a 2013 Indian Bengali-language action-adventure film based on Chander Pahar by Bengali novelist Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, directed by Kamaleshwar Mukherjee and produced by Mahendra Soni and Shrikant Mohta under the banner of their production house Shree Venkatesh Films. It features Bengali actor Dev in the lead role as Shankar. This is the first collaboration between Dev and Mukherjee, the latter having made only two films before: Uro Chithi and Meghe Dhaka Tara.
Shankar Ray Choudhuri is a fictional character and the hero of the novel of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Chander Pahar, a young Bengali man from a village in undivided Bengal, India. He is a smart, brave person who has a penchant for adventures. A franchise has been adapted from the novel which features Shankar.
Diego Alvarez is a fictional character in the Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay novel Chander Pahar. He is a Portuguese explorer and Gold / Diamond Prospector. He acts as a friend and mentor to Shankar Ray Choudhuri, and together they try to explore the deepest reaches of Richtersveld for the Mountain of the Moon. His name isn't really Portuguese but Spanish, the correct form in Portuguese would have been Diogo Álvares.
Arshinagar is a 2015 Bengali musical romance drama film directed by Aparna Sen. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Dev, Rittika Sen, Jisshu Sengupta, Kaushik Sen, Waheeda Rehman, Kaushik Sen, Kamaleshwar Mukherjee, Roopa Ganguly, Jaya Seal Ghosh. The screenplay is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The trailer of the film was released on 25 November 2015.
Amazon Obhijaan is a 2017 Indian Bengali-language action-adventure film written and directed by Kamaleshwar Mukherjee and produced by Shrikant Mohta and Mahendra Soni under the banner of Shree Venkatesh Films. Starring Dev in the lead role of Shankar, it is the sequel to 2013 film Chander Pahar and the second installment of Chander Pahar film series. The film revolves around Shankar, an adventurer who, along with a lady and her father, travels the Amazon in search of the City of Gold, El Dorado.
Chaamp is a 2017 Indian Bengali-language sports action drama film directed by Raj Chakraborty with story written by Dev. Produced by Dev, the film stars him in the lead role, along with Rukmini Maitra, in her debut film and Chiranjeet Chakraborty, Priyanka Sarkar, Kamaleswar Mukherjee who stars in other pivotal roles. After releasing initially in West Bengal on 23 June 2017, the film released all over India on 30 June 2017. The concept of the film was penned by Dev.
Yeti Obhijaan is an Indian Bengali-language adventure thriller film directed by Srijit Mukherji and produced by Shrikant Mohta, Mahendra Soni under the banner of Shree Venkatesh Films. The film stars Prosenjit Chatterjee and Aryann Bhowmik in lead roles. The film is a sequel to Mishawr Rawhoshyo. It is an adaptation of Pahar Churaye Aatonko from the Bengali adventure series Kakababu by author Sunil Gangopadhyay.
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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.
Rabiranjan Maitra is an Indian film director and editor who predominantly works in Bengali cinema. His most notable works include Tobu Mone Rekho (1994), Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002), Raatporir Rupkatha (2007), Rok Sako To Rok Lo (2007), Challenge (2009), Chalo Paltai (2011), Chander Pahar (film) (2013), Meghe Dhaka Tara (2013), Jole Jongole (2016), and Amazon Obhijaan (2017). His 2018 ventures include action thriller Kabir starring Rukmini Maitra and Shankar Mudi featuring Kaushik Ganguly, Anjan Dutt, and Sreela Majumder.
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