Earlier today, it was announced that Kaushik Ganguly’s Kaberi Antardhan starring Prosenjit Chatterjee and Shrabanti Chatterjee has been honoured with the National Film Award (Best Bengali Film). Kaberi Antardhan is a 2023 period romantic thriller film set in at north Bengal that revolves around a crime and a love story during the Indian Emergency Period. Interestingly, this is the sixth time that Ganguly won a National Award after Shabdo, Chotoder Chobi, Bishorjan, Nagarkirtan and Jyeshthoputro.
Speaking to News18 Showsha exclusively, Ganguly says, “We are truly grateful to the jury of the 70th National Film Awards for honouring our film Kaberi Antardhan with the National Award for Best Bengali Film. On behalf of the entire crew and production house Surinder Films, I extend our heartfelt thanks. We’re extremely proud and honoured to accept the National Award.”
However, Ganguly feels the joy and excitement of winning a national honour lost its essence in light of the Kolkata rape case that has led to a significant national outrage and nationwide protests. “Given the current situation in Kolkata, this big and happy news feels merely like a piece of information, and I don’t feel inclined to talk about it for too long. This reminds me of a film about two women in 1971-1972 that chronicled their struggle and tragedy that led to political instability,” he says.
The Ardhangini and Ajogyo filmmaker further continues, “Now, after all these years, we’re again in a tragic situation. The social reality and the reality of the celluloid and the ordeal is overlapping each other in today’s times. That’s really upsetting. We aren’t happy receiving this award at a time like this. We don’t intend on celebrating it.”
At the 70th National Film Awards, another Bangala film titled Aparajito won the Best Production Design. The Anik Dutta directorial is based on the making of the iconic film Pather Panchali by Satyajit Ray. Talking about it, Ganguly remarks, “It’s a moment of pride for the Bengali film industry. With very limited resources, we’ve been able to achieve national prominence. It’s a very big feat. At a personal level, I would like to share this honour with every technician of our industry.”
Lauding the technicians of the Bangla film industry, he says, “Creating a great film requires the collective talent and expertise of every technician involved. It’s their combined efforts that truly makes a film ‘the best’. When our make-up artists, costume designers and sound engineers get a national honour, we, as the Bangla film industry, feel very proud. Through their talent, expertise and skills, they’ve reached this stage and proven themselves! So, I dedicated this honour to all the technicians.”
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