Aarekti Premer Golpo

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In traditional Bengali theatre it’s not unusual to see men in female roles. One of the last surviving androgynous stars of Bengali theatre is Chapal Bhaduri. A young gay filmmaker decides to make a film about this stage legend and asks the 71-year-old thespian for an interview. A concentrated conversation begins that soon goes beyond the boundaries of a conventional interview. As the actor describes some of the painful moments in his life as a stage heroine, the young filmmaker and his bisexual cameraman feel as if they too have had to overcome similar experiences and conflicts in their lives.
Two narrative strands unfold, one of which follows the interview, while the other portrays, in dramatised scenes, the life of the ageing stage diva. Beyond the contrasts of objective and subjective strands, distance and intimacy, boldness and shyness, a deep empathy evolves between interviewer and interviewee.
Until recently homosexuality in India was a criminal offence subject to punishment. The idea for AAREKTI PEMER GOLPO came about before this misanthropic legal practice was abolished. However, little has changed as far as the nation’s widespread antipathy vis-à-vis homosexuality is concerned, and so the film’s subject is as relevant today as it was prior to the reform.

details

  • Runtime

    128 min
  • Country

    India
  • Year of Presentation

    2010
  • Year of Production

    2009
  • Director

    Kaushik Ganguly, Ritupamo Ghosh
  • Cast

    Ritupamo Ghosh, Indraneil Sengupta, Jisshu Sengupta, Churni Ganguly, Raima Sen, Arindam Sil, Arindal Bagchi, Taranga Sarkar, Bimal Chakraborty, Charlotte Haywards
  • Production Company

    Cinemawalla
  • Berlinale Section

    Panorama
  • Berlinale Category

    Feature Film

Biography Kaushik Ganguly

Kaushik Ganguly: born in Calcutta on 4.8.1968, he studied Bengali literature. He began writing professional screen- plays in 1987 and has been a director since 2000. His socially committed films have received numerous awards. 

Filmography Kaushik Ganguly

2004 Waarish/The Heir | 2005 Shunyo E Bukey/ Empty Canvas | 2006 Ek Mutho Chobi/A Fistful of Films | 2008 Brake Fail | 2009 Jackpot | 2010 Aarekti Premer Golpo

Biography Ritupamo Ghosh

born in Calcutta on 31.8.1961. After studying economics he joined an advertising agency and made his first feature work, a film for children, in 1992. He has since made numerous, often award-winning pro- ductions.

Filmography Ritupamo Ghosh

1992 Hier Angti/The Diamond Ring | 1994 Unishe April/19th Of April | 1997 Dahan/Crossfire | 1999 Bariwali/The Lady of the House | 1999 Malaise/Asukh | 2000 Utsab/The Festival | 2002 Titli/The First Monsoon Day | 2003 Chokher Bali/A Passion Play | 2003 Shubo Mahurat | 2004 Raincoat | 2005 Antarmahal/Views of the Inner Chamber | 2006 Dosar/The Companion | 2007 The Last Year | 2009 Abohomaan | 2009 Show Charito Kalponik