Srabanti- the flavour of the season

First, a grand comeback in Bhalobasa Bhalobasa in 2008, then Dujone happened in 2009 with the new heartthrob of the audience- Dev, now the well-hyped Amanush is released by Venkatesh Films in whose Champion she last worked before bidding goodbye for marriage and family in 2003. She's doing another with Venkatesh opposite Jeet......and yet another with the same house opposite Dev.

She looks set to be the flavour of the season and being in the good book of Venkatesh takes care of everything to ensure that.

A little rewind: about a year back Subhashree was in the limelight for her two back-to-back releases opposite Dev from Venkatesh. Wonder what happened to the girl who's not known to have signed another movie after the last of those two mentioned (Paran Jaye Joliya Re).

A look at Bioscope

A look at Bioscope- the new 4-screener in the city multiplex circuit, at New Town, Rajarhat (Opposite Home Town).









1. Box office at the mall facade.
2. Entrance (second box office at the left).
3. The Egyptian theme decor in the Cleopatra auditorium.
4. The Satyajit Ray corner.
5. The spacious lobby.
6. Sandip Ray is checking out the pictures at Ray corner.

A family affair

I had noted that Future Group has positioned its pilot format Big Bazaar Family Centre, opened recently in Sealdah, as a family destination unlike your neighbourhood Big Bazaar. By design it is located next to the court adjacent to Sealdah station, thereby offering good access to the people going to and coming out of the station, also those from the locality and surrounding areas. Great choice of location indeed, since it will attract thousands of people passing through Sealdah station everyday, besides households in surrounding localities in equal measure, who possibly have wished they had a Big Bazaar in vicity.

The first thing I noticed on my trip two Sundays back was that there are ethnically built stalls selling phuchka to biriani at the right hand side, giving the place a 'mela' feel as one walks past the gate. There is an Aminia selling biriani and firni, a Bawarchi (Kolkata's largest roll chain) selling its enormous range of rolls and Metro Dairy selling ice cream. The store is four-storeyed and spacious. The food court called ‘Chowpatty’ at the top floor has offerings in snacks and main course in North Indian, South Indian, Mughlai and Chinese. Attached to it are other outlets like a Monginis, Wow Momo (a momo chain) and, interestingly and wisely placed, a Bengali cuisine outlet called ‘Bhuter Raja Dilo Bor’ (named after the famous song from the Satyajit Ray classic ‘Goopi Gayen Bagha Bayen’). The prices in Chowpatty are moderate in most dishes and ‘Bhuter Raja Dilo Bor’ too has got the pricing right- a veg thali comes at Rs 25 and fish thali at Rs 35. I strongly feel the portion sizes are not likely to satisfy an average rice-loving Bengali. But that’s OK, it is a filling meal for an average person for sure. The hypermarket will attract more and more floating customers thanks to Sealdah station and ‘Bhuter Raja Dilo Bor’ will be just the right offering for the rice-loving Bengali walking in during afternoon.

The price range is also pretty down to earth. For an instance Big Bazaar’s two new store labels in shirts have products at Rs 195 and Rs 295. I am not sure whether other Big Bazaars stock this range.

I always advocate a middle class solution in businesses like retail, food and entertainment. The prices vis-à-vis offering should be such that makes strong sense to an average middle class consumer who is highly value-conscious. If this balance can be achieved, the business will have a giant market to cater to.

Pantaloons and Big Bazaar originated from this city and turned into big success stories and cult retail brands giving shape to the Future Group empire. It will be interesting to follow the developments in this 'Big Bazaar Family Centre' format which is entrusted at the headquarters level with Ashni Biyani, daughter of Pantaloons head honcho Kishore Biyani.

Bioscope- the new baby

Bioscope- the new six-screen multiplex from the house of Priya Entertainments, and Axis, the mall by Bengal Peerless, where it is located were inaugurated in a grand event last evening, marking Poila Baisakh. After inaugural speeches, including one by Chief Guest Somnath Chatterjee(Ex-speaker), Chandrabindoo took the stage. It was followed by the premiere of Jodi Ekdin- Riingo's new flick with Priyanka, Indraneil Sengupta and Saheb Chatterjee in the cast.

Bioscope, the most ambitious project of Arijit Dutta (the Managing Director of Priya Entertainments) till date distinguishes itself being the first 'theme multiplex' in India, with a separate design theme on wall/ roof of each audi. So Cleopatra is the one, the largest with a proper stage with complete stagecraft for cultural shows, with an Egyptian theme decor, Aqua is with an underwater theme, Astro with a sky theme and 180 BC with a cave theme. The other two auditoriums will be used as a kids play zone (named 'Just Kiddin') and as a rehersal place for group theare (named 'Rangamancha'). The lobby is huge and has a Satyajit Ray corner, featuring film posters and rare stills of the behind-the-camera and personal life of the maestro, as its USP. But the pricing will take the cake. Mr Dutta has sworn to changed the paradigm and boradbase the multiplex audience by shifting his sight from the well-heeled and the upwardly mobile to the middle class through a down-to-earth pricing of Rs 50 to Rs 75 throughout the week for all shows. To add to it, Bioscope will accomodate Bengali cinema in its prime shows, unlike its peers, and just like Priya Cinema and Star Theatre- two of the best single-screen theatres in town (run by Priya Entertainments) where Hindi and Bangla releases co-exist smoothly.

The launch was well-attended by the dignitaries and celebrities. Spotted Koyel with father Ranjit Mullick, PC Sorcar with Joyshree Sorcar and daughters- Maneka, Moubani and Mumtaz, Dev, director duo Sudeshna Roy-Abhijit Guha, Mahendra Soni (of Venkatesh Films), Ashok Dhanuka (of Eskay Movies) apart from the cast & crew of Jodi Ekdin- Priyanka (with actor boyfriend Rahul), Indraneil (with actress wife Barkha Bisht), Saheb (never spotted in proximity of 'good friend' Mumtaz), Riingo and Rii(Rituparna Sen with a smart, trendy name, possibly to distinguish herself from her famous namesake in the industry). Post-premiere, a lavish cocktail dinner spread was laid out by Aheli- the Bengali cuisine restaurant of Peerless that opened its new branch at the same floor of Bioscope yesterday). There also was a fireworks show to add glitz to the event.

It remains to be seen how the audience warms up to Bioscope in the coming months. With exams over it's back to movie-watching time again and quite a few Bengali releases, both mainstream and alternative cinema, are waiting to be released in April-May. Here's wishing Bioscope all the best.

The attack

I had some regards for Mr SK Roy, the Peerless group head, having known his contribution in building a big corporation out of a modest entity. But watching him speak to the press after yesterday's mob attack to Peerless Hospital after it allegedly refused treatment to accident victims unless security deposit was made wasn't a pleasure. He kept on accusing the mob attack of an act of vested interest and defending his hospital. Never was there a mention whether treatment was offered to the hapless, some of who died because of the denial. It's a big question whether private hospitals, no matter however big a name, with possibly an exception of RTIICS, have changed much even after the Supreme Court ruling and state govt. circular that nobody can be denied emergency treatment.

Dress a Bong

11.13 am
It's 'Dress a Bong' today at my new workplace- a marketing services agency specializing in direct marketing, loyalty marketing and relationship marketing. An idea from HR, it's meant to be our way to celebrate Noboborsho, or Bengali new year, that's up middle of next week. The best and authentically dressed will be awarded today on spot.

The last few days post the announcement of this has witnessed a lot of girl talk about how to report to work in saree from someone's faraway home, how to manage a saree and even how to wear one. A Team Leader at the contact centre at my floor even suggested all the male colleagues should come in dhuti (dhoti) if the female counterparts are expected to come in saree (as many on both sides will be ill at ease managing the respective attire). The accessories were also discussed.

I couldn't take up the courage to walk in a dhuti. It's extremely risky to wear one travelling in local train and getting down at Dum Dum station among the crowd. Possibility is there that the dhuti comes off, leaving one in a mess. So it's punjabi-pajama (kurta-pajama) for me and kolhapuri chappals worn after years.

It's good fun for the security and housekeeping staff checking out everyone's dressing, as they are in their uniform.

Waiting for the announcement of winners.

1.13 pm
As expected, the female brigade looks set to give the males a run for their money. Some of them have changed in quintessential Bengali women attire (red border saree, matching red blouse and imitation jewellery etc) after stepping into office. Compliments like 'Oh, you are looking so cute' are flowing in every now and then.

Chhoy-e Chhuti review

Watched Chhoy-e Chhuti - the Bengali film directed by debutant Aniket Chattopadhyay (also known as the News Editor of Kolkata TV)- the other day and posted the review on Washington Bangla Radio as my first professional writing assignment. Do post your feedback here.

Kudos, Team Antaheen

It is so heartening and feels so proud to know the honours Antaheen bagged at the National Film Awards. It won the Best Film award, Abhik Mukhopadhyay the Best Cinematographer, Shreya Ghosal the Best Singer and last but not definitely the least our very own Anindya Chattopadhyay and Chandril Bhattacharya the Best Lyricist.

Take a bow- winners (Including Screenplay Films- the production house) and Team Antaheen. Do keep up the good work and keep us- hungry souls for enjoyable, meaningful cinema- hooked.

Thana Theke Aschhi

Thana Theke Aaschhi- Saron Dutta's screen adaptation of the Bengali drama of the same name written by Ajit Gangopadhyay sixty years ago, featuring Ajitesh Bandopadhyay and Tripti Mitra, and not a remake of the well-known Uttam Kumar film, also of the same name, as revealed by the director, is hitting the theatres on 29 January.

While the Facebook group on the film, a thriller, is uncannily silent (No discussions by any of the 216 memners, not even by the producer who's the admin), with the solo thread posted by me last July requesting a character sketch, the latest addition there are the stills. Perhaps the makers didn't find a better way to promote it on Facebook. Bangla cinema, especially alternative cinema, really needs a social media consultant. It does make sense to make the best of this emerging media platform at hardly any cost, thereby suiting the tiny promotional budget of alternative cinema.

Here's some select stills.

Two new offerings at Priya

Priya, Kolkata's most loved cinema hall, has two recent additions in its F&B bouquet. In November '09 came Gelato Italiano near the advance ticket counter- the first ever gelato parlour in a single-screen theatre in the city. And Arambagh's Chicken opened a counter at the balcony floor this month.

Gelato Italiano, a brand of Pan India Food Solutions- a Future Group company, had a flying start as it bowled over the Priya customers, and may be some passers-by too, being located almost on the footpath, at the main gate, with its super tempting inaugural offer of Rs 9 a cup for all flavours to generate quick trials.

Arambagh's seems to be a bit struggling and there's an interesting insight here. The balcony tickets are priced Rs 115 and Rs 125, and there are few Bengalis, known for being extremely value-conscious, who prefer that place. And the non-Bengali customers have a marked preference towards vegetarian food. Was it of better sense to locate the counter at the first floor that houses all the stalls- rear to front, thereby getting exposure to more Bengali customers who love their chicken dishes? time will tell.

Tolly wishlist 2010

Here'a my 2010 wishlist for Tollygunge- the hub of Bangla cinema.

1. Sri Venkatesh Films continues dabbling in alternative cinema (starting again after years with Iti Mrinalini , and Autograph in the pipeline) and does a good job of it.

2. Raj Chakraborty and Anjan Dutta turn successful producers.

3. The industry gets a handful of good writers in mainstream cinema.

4. (By some strange twist of luck) Rrishii Kaushik is cast as Feluda in Jato Kando Kathmandute- the next Feluda flick to be shot this year.

5. Shantanu Moitra makes more music. Pherari mon and Jao pakhi are refusing to go out of the system.

6. Radhika Apte comes back to act in more films. Her Antaheen debut has left a mark that no other fresher has been able to match in a long time.

7. Saran Dutta's Thana Theke Aschhi doesn't take long to release. Those who liked his Shikar (2006) are finding the wait for his next movie endless.

8. Mainak Bhaumik gets on the floor to shoot his next film as a 'director'. It's too sad the 'Aamra' director has to wait for this long to start his next film (Machh, Mishti and More- a sequel to The Bong Connection that he edited).

9. Deserving Bengali films get prime time shows in the multiplexes regularly.

10. More directors who know their craft (after Raj Chakraborty), are hardworking and focussed join Bangla mainstream cinema taking it to an aspirational level of entertainment.

A look at Bangla cinema 2009

1. The year of Shri Venkatesh Films: 5 releases (Jackpot, Challenge, Saat Pake Bandha, Poran Jaye Jwoliya Re, Prem Amaar), 2 superhits, 1 flop.

2. Emergence of Screenplay Films: With the success of Antaheen, they proved that they can make their kind of films (that fall in the alternative cinema space), yet have a strong audience connect. Antaheen brought a new slice of audience to theatres, among others- middle-aged, urban, educated, upper middle class housewives in groups. In the coming years this house seems set to move from strength to strength, with all eyes currently on their under-production Ekti Tarar Khoje that brings back Shayan Munshi after his impressive debut in The Bong Connection in 2007 and Arpita Chatterjee (erstwhile Arpita Pal) in a delightful comeback after her marriage with Prosenjit.

3. Rise of Raj Chakraborty: He consolidated his position this year with the blockbuster Challenge that took Bangla cinema a few notches up in the entertainment quotient, and Prem Amaar, after last year's thunderous debut Chirodini Tumi Je Amaar, and skyrocketed to the top slot of directors. The entire industry is watching him and audience expectation is rising with every release. His mantra is: Never repeat yourself.

4. The copyright suit: The makers of Namaste London taught a lesson to the makers of Poran Jaye Jwoliya Re and their peers that indiscriminate remaking can be dangerous. It resulted in acknowledging 7G Rainbow Colony in the opening credits of Prem Amaar as the original film.

5. More success in alternative cinema: Antaheen, Madly Bangalee and Cross Connection have had a good to decent run at the box office, injecting more promise in sensible cinema.

6. Fading out of Rituparno Ghosh: The erstwhile toast of the educated urban Bengali had just one release- Shob Choritro Kalponik- that failed to make a mark. In the last few years audience waited too long to watch his films to hold patience and stay interested. All his films are lying in the post-production stage or in the cans for too long leading to a substantial loss of interest in him.

7. Comeback of Jee-Ko:The most successful pair of the last decade, Jeet-Koel, came back in Saat Pake Bandha to hit the screens after they parted ways two years back.

8. The magic of DI: DI or Digital Intermediate- a special effects tool- transformed 'Dujone' and lent the film a never-seen-before gloss that hooked the audience.

Nayika Sangbad hooked

Shampa Kundu, albeit a bad throat, mesmerized the audience in the Star Theatre auditorium in Nayika Sangbad on 27 December, day 2 of Star Utsab (Re: the earlier post Star Utsab) with her rendition of hits of Kanan Debi to Rituparna Sengupta.

For images and details, come back to this blog.

Little Stars rocked

Little Stars- the fashion show for the kids at the 4th edition of Star Utsab kickstarted at Star Theatre on Christmas simply rocked!

For photos and details come back to this space.

Star Utsab

December is the time for frenetic preparations for 'the event' at Star Theatre by Priya Entertainments, that takes place over the last week. It's Star Utsab (rechristened from Star Carnival that was held in 2007 and 2008).

The event, in its own small way, brightens up the lives of a section of people of north Kolkata, a part of the city that doesn’t witness events of this nature so common to its counterparts in the city at this time of the year. It is a winter festival with a difference. Inclusive in nature, it aims to touch upon various groups of people from the children to the senior citizens (who are generally kept out of purview of such festivities). Little wonder the event runs to packed house every year.

Here's a lowdown on this year's Star Utsab, where the organisers have "infused certain elements that go well with the cultural subtext of north Kolkata making it a celebration that people from this part of the city can own emotionally".

Fun with Santa
25 December, 11 am
A sit 'n' draw contest followed by cutting of Christmas cake by Santa Claus and his playing around with the small friends.

Little Stars
25 December, 6 pm
This is a fashion show for the kids- a templated element of the festival, extremely popular since its inception in 2007. It fetches tremendous response from the local people.


Nayika Sangbad
27 December, 7 pm
Bengali silver screen has been enriched with the grace, sensuality and powerhouse performances of many a name dating back to the '40s. They have left an indelible impression in the cinema lover’s memory through their arresting screen presence and especially through performances in countless songs that still fill up our mindspace. Nayika Sangbad is a trip down memory lane where Shampa Kundu will enthrall us through a musical entourage from the times of Kanan Debi till Rituparna Sengupta. She will be ably complemented by actress Suchita Raychaudhury who will share interesting anecdotes about the heroines making it an evening to remember. The evening will also witness a felicitation of Sabitri Chatterjee and Madhabi Mukherjee-the two legends of Bangla filmdom and part of this musical tribute. Conceptualized and directed by Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee, this concept show will raise a toast to some memorable faces of Bangla cinema in its first ever outing.


Thakurbarir Fashion
29 December, 6.30 pm
A fashion show reflecting the style quotient of the famous Thakurbari (The residence of Rabindranath Tagore's family at Jorasanko in north Kolkata). This family, besides its literary acumen, is also historically well known for leading the so-called fashion movement, especially in the arena of women’s fashion. The event will intricately showcase and articulately narrate the fashion history of the eminent household.

Chandrabindoo solo
30 December, 7 pm
In true synergy with the cultural texture of the other elements, Chandrabindoo was chosen because of a wit and a certain progressive Bengaliness so unique of them, to bid adieu to the year and end the event one day away from the clutter of new year eve events all over the city. Incidentally it will be a solo show of the top-notch Bangla band after years.

For passes Star Theatre may be contacted at 033-25336868.

A different show for 'Boudi's

Many must have been inquisitive since the news about the second edition of the popular dance-based reality show Dance Pe Chance on Rupashi Bangla came out. Named Dance Pe Chance Boudimoni, it was, as the name suggested, for the 'Boudi's (married women). A show where married women, nurturing a dream of showing their dancing talent, would set the stage on fire before Raveena Tandon and danseuse Sutapa Talukdar and a surprise judge in each episode.

The first three episodes (December 16-18) were designed to show what was in store, how this show was different and its audience connect. Married women of a medium age range and all sizes participated. Some of the observations:

a. The participants are mostly from a middle/ lower middle class background.

b. Some of the participants have support and motivation from their husband/ mother-in-law apart from families. Indeed interesting to know going by the Bengali middle class values. The world and everything in it is changing, hmm?

c. Some have the guts to have defied the family resistance against participating in such a show.

The audience connect is obvious. It should get the show a flying start at TRP.

The second episode had a lawyer, Sarika Some and a domestic help, Sunita Adak competing. Sunita had been left behind by her husband for daring to take part in the show. She went ahead despite the strong opposition to secure a better future for her small child who was brought on stage by her grandmother. Hats off to the woman.

Rituparna Sengupta, the producer, was the surprise judge in the first episode, Dona Ganguly in the second and Jaya Sil in the third, making her comeback to showbiz after the film 'Hothat Neerar Jonyo' released years back. Jaya added spice to the episode by her impromptu jig on stage along with the contestant after her performance on a special request from the host-director Shibaprasad Mukhopadhyay. Riddhi, the popular Big FM RJ, is the other host.

Sutapa Talukdar was fashionably graceful and made a good judge, neither too pricky nor lenient. Raveena was sweet and encouraging, besides looking gorgeous. A small hitch was prominently mentioning the sponsors for Raveena's and hosts' clothes by the hosts at the end. Couldn't it be sensibly presented?

Warm, warm winter

T-shirt wise, jacket foolish! One of the warmest Saturdays (and winter) in many seasons.

Idiot's googly

It was no short of a googly bowled by Aamir Khan yesterday at none other than Sourav Ganguly's residence gate. Nobody could recognize him. It was his second visit during his multi-location tour in disguise- part of the 3 Idiots promotion strategy.

The best gift of 2009 for Kolkatans

I feel it is most definitely the cleaner air as evident in recent data as quoted in this The Telegraph report. The level of benzene, a lethal pollutant is down by 9 times compared to November '08! Others like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are significantly and reasonably down too, respectively. All thanks to the gradual phaseout of 2-stroke auto rickshaws and vehicles more than 15 years old. The air is more breathable, and I can vouch for that through my daily commuting experience in public transport. And this makes the city more livable, more so for the little citizens of this city.

Cinemania- the new Facebook group

Have been looking forward to a cinema group for quite some time in Facebook where some sensible, regular discussions on cinema take place. Just joined this group called Cinemania on an invitation from a friend. The first look is satisfactory. The emphasis is on Bangla cinema was something I liked a lot.