Me Movies More

Some web series are so engaging that you cannot stop yourself from writing about them. Here are 3 such web series that I watched recently, and that were quite impressive. 1. Batashey Gungun: The niece of a powerful political leader in a small town becomes interested in her professor. What starts as a simple liking slowly develops into a passionate one-sided affair, which, upon discovering his marital status, turns into an obsession. Batashey Gungun is an intense story that explores the theme of obsession through the lens of a highly impulsive yet intelligent girl. Srijla Guha delivers a powerful performance as Pallabi, effectively portraying the character's twisted nature beneath her sweet and beautiful exterior. Suhotra Mukherjee plays Arindam, who is well-cast in this role. He enjoys the unwanted attention from Pallabi but is also fearful of his situation, particularly because he is married. He finds himself torn between a dangerously obsessive lover and his family life. What ch...

Shivani took a bite of one of the cookies Ajay had brought for her. It tasted of roasted coconut and dried fruits, a flavour that felt familiar. Wasn't that the same taste as the Nankhatai her mother used to bake every Sunday? She recalled the delicious aroma that filled the kitchen, drawing her in like a magnet.  Suddenly, she began to remember the Sundays when most of the officers stationed in the forest region would visit their house for evening tea, accompanied by their families. Her father would sit at the centre, initiating the conversation, and they would discuss a wide range of topics—politics, war, and poetry. It sometimes startled her to realize that she actually enjoyed the smell of cigarette smoke during those gatherings, as her father’s colleagues smoked in the hall. The sound of people chatting, mingled with the sound of rain, mixed with the murmur of the leaves brushing against the concrete cement wall of their bungalow- those were the days! Those were the Sundays sh...

Recently, I watched a variety of movies and web series. I plan to share my thoughts on some of the most significant ones in my upcoming posts. Today, I want to highlight three Bengali movies that I watched recently and really enjoyed. One of the standout films that I saw in theatres was "The Eken: Benaras e Bibhishika," for which I dedicated an entire review post. Therefore, I won't be discussing it again today. Instead, I will focus on the films I watched on OTT platforms. 1. Kabuliwala: We had two acclaimed directors who each adapted the iconic role of Kabuliwala for the screen, featuring legendary actors. Tapan Sinha's Bengali version, released in 1957, starred Chhabi Biswas in the titular role. In contrast, Hemen Gupta directed the Hindi adaptation of Tagore's short story, with Balraj Sahani portraying the same character. Both films were remarkable, and the lead actors delivered heart-touching performances. I have also heard about another adaptation titled ...

I will Come Back The day you will not want me to be a doll of your wish, I will come back. The day you don't conspire to imprison me in your plans, I will come back. The day you hold my light & dark in your hands, I will come back. The day you don't want to change, the sudden crazy me,  I will come back. The day you make my wild mind your own, I will come back. The day you embrace the careless, carefree me, I will come back. The day you don't pull me to your daily treaded path, I will come back. The day you treat me like a partner and not a prisoner, I will come back. The day you love me for who I am, I will come back.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reubenna Dutta (@memoviesmore)

Subhash Mukhopadhyay, known as the "Padatik Kobi," was one of the most prominent literary figures from Bengal. He received the Jnanpith and Padma Bhushan Awards and is celebrated for his iconic poems, such as " Phul Phutuk Na Phutuk Aj Basanta" and "Kaal Madhumas." Today, I have attempted to translate one of his short poems, titled "Sundar." Sundar When your scarf was flying alone in the sudden burst of wind, Not even then. When the droplets of sweat were sparkling like pearls on your face under the setting sun, Not even then. When you laughed out at some joke,  bright enough to light the sky, Not even then. When at the sound of the siren, the sea of elevated hands, wearing jute head gears, were reaching out to catch each pamphlet, while covering you, When you were seen no more- Then only, you looked stunningly beautiful. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reubenna Dutta (@memoviesmore)

Shankha Ghosh , the renowned Bengali poet and literary critic, received prestigious awards such as the Padma Bhushan and the Jnanpith Award . His famous poem "Sangini" was first published in Dey's Publications' "Kabita Sangraha" Volume 2 in 1991. Today, I have attempted to translate this poem from Bengali. Sangini Placing a hand over another is not easy, To carry on forever is not easy. Who doesn't know, it's quite easy Easy things are not always that easy. My addicted sole, addicted my feet That alcohol that keeps everyone in debt. The afternoons-filled with her trance, radiant That woman from Ganga banks- open-mouthed, fierce and brilliant. That eternal, untrustworthy, tearless you You are my partner forever, aren't you? You will provide joy, it's not easy You will bring pain; not easy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reubenna Dutta (@memoviesmore)

Brenda had been exceptionally busy with her recent project, which was quite different from the cultural outings she had pursued throughout her career as a journalist. This time, she was focused on serious matters involving high-ranking authorities. Her mother, who lived in a small town near Edinburgh, was increasingly concerned for her safety as Brenda delved deeper into potentially dangerous investigations. Brenda's mother, a former crime reporter, had sought solace in her quiet cottage after experiencing the corruption and abuses of power in her career. She now spent her time reading, gardening, and fishing, finding peace in her simpler lifestyle. Though she had no regrets about her past, having witnessed the excitement and greed for fame, she chose a more tranquil life for herself. As a mother, she usually offered guidance without interference, but this time felt different. Brenda's pursuit of these sensitive issues had put her in a position that could lead to trouble at any...

This is likely the third post about Bengali patriotic films on my blog. Previously, I compiled a list of classic patriotic gems and another one featuring patriotic sports movies made in Bengal. But today, as a part of the #Everyconversationmatters ongoing blogging challenge, #Tricolourtalesbloghop , I have enlisted a few Bengali patriotic films that have been released in the last 35 years.  1. Tahader Katha (1992): Directed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta, this film features Mithun Chakraborty as Shibnath Mukherjee, an ex-freedom fighter who has spent 11 years in prison. Upon his release, he is confronted with a free India that is rife with corruption and oppression—something he never imagined during his struggle for independence. The world around him feels like a new prison, leading him to retreat into solitude and live in the memories of his past.  Mithun's performance as Shibnath is so captivating that, despite the film's slow pace, it keeps viewers glued to the screen. The actor...

As a connoisseur of Bengali movies, I have been investing some of my time in exploring old films. I have perhaps watched these films earlier, but as a carrier of a Ghajini-like memory, I did not remember a few of these films. So what I have found out was remarkable, actually. There are many popular Hindi movies that have been adapted later from these Bengali movies. Today, I have enlisted 5 such popular films, despite the list being much longer than that.  1. Padosan from Pasher Bari: This was a big surprise for me, actually. As I always crawled back to watching this 1968 classic, Sunil Dutt-Kishore Kumar-Mehmood-Saira Banu wonder whenever I felt bored, earlier. Who can forget those iconic songs of Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey and the incredible performances of all the actors? It was indeed a laugh riot. But you know what I discovered? Directed by Jyoti Swarup, it was an adaptation of a 1952 Bengali film, Pasher Bari, starring Sabitri Chatterji, Anup Kumar, Bhanu Bandopadhyay and ve...

I ventured to the nursery today on a quest for the elusive bright pink flower pot I had been dreaming of for my window. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that the pink pot was nowhere to be found—just like my motivation to exercise! So, I settled for a rather ordinary plant with white flowers. I guess when life hands you lemons, you just go ahead and plant a white flower instead! After all, when you can't find what you want, you might as well embrace your inner “average” and celebrate the mundane! I returned home and proudly set the plant on the windowsill, giving it the best seat in the house. Honestly, I wished I could replace those boring white flowers that are supposed to bloom tomorrow with some fabulous pink orchids. But this desire of mine was going to remain unfulfilled forever, I guessed.  The next morning, as I was sheepishly led to the windowsill by an unexplainable smell, I found myself absolutely perplexed at the sight of some beautiful, bright pink orchids t...

Jo hai albela madnaino wala Jis ki diwani Brij ki har bala... I was in the kitchen, whipping up some rice kheer for my daughter while belting out tunes like I was auditioning for a reality show. I thought I was alone, singing my lungs out, when suddenly, I felt a light poke on my shoulder. Yup, just a poke, but it sent chills down my spine—especially since the door was locked from the inside.  My brain went into overdrive: “Is this it? Am I about to be robbed?!" As panic set in, I imagined the worst. What would be the headline? "Local Mom Robbed While Cooking!" I mean, come on, if I’m going to be in the news, at least let me have my lipstick on! Priorities, right? But dampening all my wild momentary thoughts, I could hear a deep voice, singing in a melodious tune, "Woh Kisna Hai." A robber who can sing! My inbuilt autotune responded with a " Par mere pas kuch nahi hai" in a feeble voice.   That voice again spoke out, " Why are you so scared? At l...