Mem Saheb

Last updated

Mem Saheb
মেম সাহেব
Directed byPinaki Mukherjee [1]
Written by Nimai Bhattachariya
Screenplay byPinaki Mukherjee
Based onMam Saheb by Nimai Bhattachariya
Produced by Ashima Bhattacharya
Starring [2]
CinematographyKrishna Chakraborty
Edited byRabin Das
Music byAshima Bhattacharya
Production
company
Pompy Films
Distributed byDebali Pictures Pvt. Ltd.
Release date
  • 1972 (1972)
Running time
122 min. [3]
Country India [4]
Language Bengali

Mem Saheb is a 1972 Bengali film directed by Pinaki Mukherjee. [5] Pinaki Mukherjee also acting this film. This film produced by Ashima Bhattacharya and production company by Pompy Films. The story was based on the novel of same name by Nimai Bhattachariya. The film has been music composed by Ashima Bhattacharya. This film won the Filmfare Awards East in 1972. [6] It stars Uttam Kumar [7] and Aparna Sen in lead role. Others Gita Dey, Sumitra Mukherjee, Bikash Roy, Jahor Roy in the supporting roles.

Contents

Director Pinaki Mukherjee did a superb job by combining the political world and romance of that period. Aparna Sen excelled as the young, educated Professor, who falls in love with a hotshot journalist played by Kumar. While both stand for each other and dream for a happy future, which is cut short by political violence. This film, despite its romantic elements, brought the ethics of journalism to the big screen. [8]

Cast

Production

The film was directed by Pinaki Bhusan Mukherjee and produced by Ashima Bhattachriya, she also composed the music. This producer director duo worked with Uttam Kumar before in the cult hit Chowrangee in 1968. At first the role of Kajal Suchitra Sen was the first choice but later she was found not suitable for this role then Aparna Sen is selected for this role. [10] The indoor scenes of the film was shot in Technicians Studio and NT Studio 2 (New Theaters). [11]

Soundtrack

Mam Saheb
Soundtrack album by
Released1972
Recorded1971
StudioPompy Films
Genre Feature Film Soundtrack
Length0:08:27
Label Angel Digital Private Limited
Producer Ashima Bhattachariya
Ashima Bhattachariya chronology
Chowringhee
(1968)
Mam Saheb
(1972)
Bagh Bondi Khela
(1975)

All lyrics are written by Rabindranath Tagore, Atul Prasad Sen, Miltu Ghosh; all music is composed by Rabindranath Tagore, Ashima Bhattachariya

Songs
No.TitlePlaybackLength
1."Emon Sondhay Aakashe" Ashima Bhattacharya 03:07
2."Aaj Bujhi Pakhira" Manna Dey, Ashima Bhattacharya02:55
3."Badhu Emono Badole"Ashima Bhattacharya02:25
Total length:08:27

Reception

This is one of the best film for both Uttam Kumar and Aparna Sen's career. [12] Uttam Kumar performance again huge acclaimed. The Times Of India wrote Uttam Kumar, playing her male counterpart, turns out to be her only inspiration. In this romantic drama, the legendary actor essayed out a hotshot journalist who enjoys great connections to several political personalities. [13] The film become blockbuster hit and ran to full houses for 12 consecutive weeks and total ran over 100 days in theaters. [14] The film also become highest grossing Bengali films in 1972.

Awards

CeremonyAwardCategoryNomineeOutcome
3rd Filmfare Awards East Filmfare Awards East Best FilmPinaki Mukherjee [15] Won

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suchitra Sen</span> Indian actress

Suchitra Sen (Bengali pronunciation:[ʃuːtʃiːraːʃeːn] ; born Roma Dasgupta, widely known as the Mahanayika, was an Indian actress who worked in Bengali and Hindi cinema. The movies in which she was paired opposite Uttam Kumar became classics in the history of Bengali cinema.

<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.

<i>Harano Sur</i> Indian Bengali language 50s Film

Harano Sur is a 1957 Indian Bengali-language romantic drama film by Ajoy Kar, starring Suchitra Sen and Uttam Kumar, with music by Hemanta Mukherjee, and sung by Geeta Dutt. This is the first film that Uttam had produced along with Ajoy Kar. The film is regarded as one of the finest examples of Bengali cinema of this early period. The film is based on the 1942 American film Random Harvest. The film became the highest grossing Bengali film of 1957.

Chowronghee is a 1968 Indian Bengali drama film by Pinaki Bhushan Mukherjee, starring Uttam Kumar and Subhendu Chatterjee who played the lead role and Biswajit Chatterjee, Supriya Devi and Anjana Bhowmick in supporting role. The music of the film composed by Ashima Bhattachariya who also produced this film. The film is based on a Bengali novel of the same name by Shankar and was a huge hit in its own right. The film is regarded as one of the greatest film in Bengali cinema and for Uttam's career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of West Bengal</span> Indian Bengali language film industry based in West Bengal

Cinema of West Bengal, also known as Tollywood or Bengali cinema, is an Indian film industry of Bengali-language motion pictures. It is based in the Tollygunge region of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The origins of the nickname Tollywood, a portmanteau of the words Tollygunge and Hollywood, dates back to 1932. It was a historically important film industry, at one time the centre of Indian film production. The Bengali film industry is known for producing many of Indian cinema's most critically acclaimed global Parallel Cinema and art films, with several of its filmmakers gaining prominence at the Indian National Film Awards as well as international acclaim.

<i>Agni Pariksha</i> (1954 film) 1954 Indian film

Agni Pariksha is a 1954 Indian Bengali-language romantic drama film directed by Agradoot and starring Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen. The film was adapted from Asha Purna Devi's novel of the same name. The film become overwhelming success from both critically and commercially. The movie was remade in Hindi in 1967 as Chhoti Si Mulaqat also starring Uttam Kumar. Before that the movie was simultaneously made into a 1959 Telugu - Tamil bilingual titled Mangalya Balam in Telugu and Manjal Mahimai in Tamil.

<i>Sharey Chuattor</i> 1953 film by Nirmal Dey

Sharey Chuattor is a 1953 Indian Bengali-language comedy film, directed by Nirmal Dey, based on a story novel by Bijon Bhattacharya. The film stars Tulsi Chakraborty and Molina Devi in lead and co-starring Uttam Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Bhanu Bandopadhyay, Jahor Roy and Nabadwip Haldar. Contemporary playback singers like Dhananjay, Dwijen Mukherjee, Shyamal Mitra, and Manabendra Mukherjee also acted in this film. This film was under the banner of M.P Production Pvt Ltd.

<i>Raat Bhore</i> 1955 Indian film

Raat Bhore is a 1955 Bengali drama film directed by Mrinal Sen, who also wrote the screenplay. This was Sen's first film.

<i>Uttar Falguni</i> 1963 film by Asit Sen

Uttar Falguni is a 1963 Indian Bengali-language drama film directed by Asit Sen and produced by Uttam Kumar, starring Suchitra Sen in a double role, Bikash Roy and Dilip Mukherjee in lead. At the 11th National Film Awards, the film was awarded the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali. Music of the film composed by Robin Chatterjee. The film was remade by director Asit Sen himself in Hindi, as Mamta (1966) again with Suchitra Sen as the lead. The film was also remade in Tamil as Kaviya Thalaivi (1970), and in Malayalam as Pushpanjali (1972).

Dhanyee Meye is a 1971 Bengali romantic comedy film directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay. The cast includes Uttam Kumar, Sabitri Chatterjee, Partho Mukherjee, Jaya Bhaduri, Jahor Roy and Nripati Chattopadhyay. This was Bhaduri's third film overall and only her second Bengali film. The music of the film composed by Nachiketa Ghosh.

Rajlakshmi O Srikanta is a 1958 Bengali drama film directed by Haridas Bhattacharya and produced by Kanan Devi based on the iconic and famous novel Srikanta of the legendary Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. This film was released in 1958 under the banner of Srimati Pictures. The film starring Uttam Kumar Suchitra Sen, Anil Chatterjee, Tulsi Chakraborty. Music direction of the film was done by Jnan Prakash Ghosh.

Nimai Bhattacharya was a writer of Bengali literature who was born in Magura's Shalikha. He died on 25 June 2020 in Kolkata, aged 89.

Chhadmabeshi is a 1971 Bengali comedy film directed by Agradoot, starring Uttam Kumar and Madhabi Mukherjee as leads, based on the story Chhadobeshi by writer Upendranath Ganguly. The story revolves around a newly married professor, who plays a practical joke upon his brother-in-law by posing as his family driver. Music of the film composed by Sudhin Dasgupta. The film was remade in Hindi in 1975 as Chupke Chupke and in Kannada in 2004 as Joke Falls.

<i>Basanta Bilap</i> 1973 Indian film

Basanta Bilap is a 1973 Indian Bengali language romantic comedy film directed by Dinen Gupta, based on a story by Bimal Kar.

<i>Abak Prithibi</i> 1959 film

Abak Prithibi is a 1959 Bengali film directed by Bishu Chakraborty. This film was produced by Tarun Kumar, who was also a Bengali film actor. This film was written by Bishu Chakraborty. The music was composed by Amal Mukherjee. This is a comedy drama film. The film stars Uttam Kumar in lead and others Ajit Bandyopadhyay, Gangapada Basu, Bidhayak Bhattacharya, Swagata Chakraborty, Tulsi Chakraborty, Nripati Chatterjee, Sabitri Chatterjee, Aparna Debi, Tarun Kumar, Priti Majumdar and Bireswar Sen played supporting role. Uttam Kumar playing here a thief role which is very unique.

Hrad is a Bengali drama film directed by Ardhendu Sen. The film starring Uttam Kumar, Sandhyarani, Chhabi Biswas, Asit Baran. This film was released on 29 July 1955 under the banner of Rupmaya films. The story was based on Bimal Kar's novel of same name. The film showed to Uttam's one of the most different and critical character, where he played a memory lost patient and give one of the finest performance in his entire career. Uttam received for the first time BFJA Best Actor Award in his career. The famous music composer Manabendra Mukhopadhyay was the music director of the film. This was a mental health and a psychological treatment film. The film became moderate success at the box office.

Thana Theke Aschi is a 1965 Bengali thriller drama film directed by Hiren Nag. It is an adaptation of the English play An Inspector Calls. The film stars Uttam Kumar as inspector Tin Kari Halder. Other cast members like Madhabi Mukherjee, Kamal Mitra, and Chaya Debi play supporting roles. The film was successful at the box office.

Achena Uttam is a 2022 Bengali-language biographical film directed by Atanu Bose and produced by Alaknanda Arts. Music is composed by Upali Chattopadhyay. The storyline of the film is based on Uttam Kumar.

References

  1. "8 Tollywood actors who essayed out every facet of being a journalist". The Times of India . Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  2. "MEMSAHEB (1972)". bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  3. "Mem Saheb 1972 Bengali film". einthusan.tv. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  4. "Mem Saheb 1972 film VCD". induna.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  5. Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Routledge. ISBN   9781135943189 . Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  6. "Mem Saheb". Amazon. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  7. "Remembering Uttam Kumar: Did you know these almost forgotten facts about the acting legend?". The Times of India. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  8. "Aparna Sen's 7 most memorable Tollywood performances". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  9. "Mem Saheb Review". Bollywood Hungama . Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  10. "নিমাই ভট্টাচার্যের লেখা 'মেমসাহেব' নিয়ে সিনেমা করায় প্রথম চয়েস ছিলেন সুচিত্রা, পরে কাজ করেন অপর্ণা | TheWall". 26 June 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  11. Mem Saheb | মেমসাহেব | Bengali Romantic Movie | Full HD | Uttam Kumar, Aparna Sen , retrieved 21 November 2022
  12. "Aparna Sen's 7 most memorable Tollywood performances". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  13. "Uttam Kumar in 'Memsaheb' (1972) - 8 Tollywood actors who essayed out every facet of being a journalist". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  14. "নিমাই ভট্টাচার্যের লেখা 'মেমসাহেব' নিয়ে সিনেমা করায় প্রথম চয়েস ছিলেন সুচিত্রা, পরে কাজ করেন অপর্ণা | TheWall". 26 June 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  15. "MEM SAHEB". zeebanglacinema.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.