Top 5 Classic Bengali Patriotic Films #EveryConversationMatters

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We have 2 schools near our house, and both are preparing for Sunday's Republic Day celebrations. Listening to the drum beats and patriotic songs feels so good. Yesterday, it was Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary. I remember watching an old movie based on his life a long time back. This made me wonder why not make a list of such patriotic Bengali films today. So, today, I have listed 5 such patriotic Bengali Films:

1. Chattogram Astragar Lunthan (1949): Released at a time when India had freshly gained independence from Imperial British rule, this film centres around the Chittagong Armoury Raid and its mastermind, Masterda (Surya Sen). Surya Sen was a local teacher who planned to raid the Armoury with his small group of students, resulting in a fatal revolt. The immortal patriotic song, "Karar Ei Louho Kopat", penned by Kazi Nazrul Islam, was used in this film.

2. Ananda Math (1951): Ananda Math is one of my favourite novels by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. A movie based on this book was released in 1951. This film is available on YouTube. It had actors like Kamal Mitra, Ahindra Chowdhury and Anubha Gupta. 

3. 42 (1951): I watched this film when I was doing research for an article on Iconic Bengali villains. The film features some great performances from Bikas Roy, Pradeep Kumar, and others. It showed the brutalities of the Police force on revolutionaries and freedom fighters during the Quit India Movement of 1942. This one is unmissable if someone is looking for a good patriotic film.

4. Subhash Chandra (1966): Based on the glorious life of the freedom fighter, this film has been considered one of the most authentic representations of his life. Although the mystery surrounding his demise remains to be unfolded, and this film, too, has not revealed much, the film portrays Bose's bold and heroic lifetime quite convincingly.

5. Sabyasachi (1977): Based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's patriotic novel, "Pather Dabi", this film revolves around the central character of the book, Sabyasachi. Played impeccably by Uttam Kumar, the character of Sabyasachi gets life in the movie. The portrayal is so engaging that it gets the audience hooked to the film.


So these are the top 5 Classic Bengali Patriotic films. There are more Bengali patriotic movies that are equally well made but those are made in much recent years. I am planning to make a list on them pretty soon. I have watched a couple of those and am yet to watch some more to make my list complete. 

Do let me know what are the best patriotic films that you have watched in your mother tongue. I would love to watch a few if they are available with subtitles or even dubbed ones. I remember watching one very old Tamil film long back, however I do not remember the name. 

This post is a part of ‘Embrace the Native Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters

Comments

  1. RomilaFebruary 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM

    This is a good list of Bengali patriotic classics! Each film truly captures the essence of devotion and strength, and I am aware of Anand Mat as it happens to be a book.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pinkii BakshiFebruary 11, 2025 at 5:25 AM

    Honestly, I hardly watch Bengali movies but I want to and i am always looking for recommendations. Thank you for this post, I am surely gonna try and watch as many as i can.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tomichan MatheikalFebruary 12, 2025 at 7:19 AM

    Glad to know about these classical Bengali movies.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Memory FliesFebruary 19, 2025 at 9:06 PM

    I never watch any Bengali movie. This one is good classical list of movies. I would like to check only if there is subtitles.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BLOGABERRYFebruary 19, 2025 at 9:39 PM

    Interesting list. I must've watched Subash Chandra if it was translated in Hindi at some point. But not too sure about it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Zens2centsFebruary 20, 2025 at 3:51 AM

    An informative post. I love patriotic movies and Subhash Chandra Bose and his ideologies I resonate with alot. Will surely try watching the movies in your post.

    ReplyDelete
  7. RehanaFebruary 21, 2025 at 12:26 AM

    I am not aware of any of these. I am glad to know they exist and might as well try them with subtitles later. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kaveri ChhetriFebruary 21, 2025 at 12:50 AM

    I don't know if I've ever watched a full Bengali movie. I have some movies in my mind that I want to but never found them anywhere. Anyway, nice to know about these patriotic movies Reubenna. I like watching them too and I have watched several bollywood ones ofcourse. In my mother tongue(nepali) I still recollect one patriotic movie I watched when I was a kid. It's called 'Lahurey.' It had made a lasting imprint on my mind and I had really liked it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reubenna DuttaFebruary 26, 2025 at 6:43 AM

      So glad to know about a Patriotic film in another language.

      Delete
  9. Preeti ChauhanFebruary 21, 2025 at 6:10 AM

    I have read the Hindi translation of Anand Math and it was mind blowing Reubenna. For this very reason , if time permits and if I can access some of these movies ( let me know if we can get subtitled copies)It would be wonderful to watch these films. Thanks for sharing this list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reubenna DuttaFebruary 26, 2025 at 6:47 AM

      Subhash Chandra Bose is available in Hindi dubbing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pb0cYDvFfM

      Delete
  10. deepti menonFebruary 21, 2025 at 10:14 AM

    These movies sound absolutely authentic. I am sure they will interesting to watch. Thank you for sharing your favorite five with us.

    ReplyDelete
  11. SakshiFebruary 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM

    That looks like a good list - I was familiar only with Anand Math.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Janaki/Ishaan SaiFebruary 25, 2025 at 12:26 AM

    Having lived in Kolkata for many years, I'm surprised I haven't watched any of these movies. Thanks for curating this list. Are these available on youtube to watch?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Reubenna DuttaFebruary 26, 2025 at 6:48 AM

    Sure thanks

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Book CritiquesFebruary 26, 2025 at 6:51 PM

    One of the best patriotic films I have watched is Poorab Aur Paschim (1970). It beautifully captures India's cultural values and patriotism, telling the story of an Indian youth who reminds Indians living abroad about the significance of their roots and heritage. It’s a must-watch for anyone who loves classic patriotic cinema.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reubenna DuttaFebruary 28, 2025 at 1:38 AM

      I think I might have watched it. It had Manoj Kumar and Saira Banu in the lead if I am not wrong.

      Delete
  15. Aditya SatheFebruary 27, 2025 at 5:41 AM

    Wayy before, I had read the Marathi translation of Anand math, but haven't seen the film. I would like to watch it, as well as others. They sound intersting to watch

    ReplyDelete
  16. RituFebruary 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM

    Although I am well versed with Bengali, I haven't watched any of the movies you listed. Bookmarking them for future viewing. Thanks for sharing about them.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Shifali February 28, 2025 at 11:13 AM

    I admire your selection of classics and how these movies link you to your folk culture. I wish they could be translated to hindi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reubenna DuttaMarch 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM

      Subhash Chandra has a dubbed version in Hindi on Youtube

      Delete
  18. A Rustic MindMarch 1, 2025 at 3:55 AM

    I've watched a few of Ray's adaptations of Tagore's works. The one I distinctly remember is Ghare-Baire. Will check out the ones you've recommended now. Thanks Reubenna :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. The search continuesMarch 3, 2025 at 6:13 AM

    As someone who has grown amongst bengali people I have heard so much about Nazrul Islam's works and though I am yet to explore more but my favourite remains a series I saw few years back on Feluda which was a mix of bengali and english.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Reubenna DuttaMarch 3, 2025 at 8:04 AM

    👍

    ReplyDelete

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