Uttam Kumar - Set 3 ( Devdas, Mon Niye, Bonpalashir Padabali )(DVD Bengali)

DEVDAS Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote the novel Devdas (or, Debdas) when he was only 24 years old. What Romeo means for the British, Debdas means for Bengali. Devdas was a son of village landlord. Since childhood his best friend was Parbati, whom he used to call Paro. Children friendship transforms into love as they grew older. But Debdas was not lucky enough, as his parents denied to accept Parbati as their daughter in law. Parvati being rejected and insulted got married with Bhuban Mihan Chowdhury. Hurt and repented Devdas started drinking very hard. His friend Chunilal introduced him with a court dancer Chandramukhi. Although Devdas hated Chandramukhi when they met but she started loving Devdas. But her love could not change Devdas and his habit of drinking. Devdas started falling ill again and again and ultimately outside Parvatis in laws house. Though Sarat Chandra himself didnt like this tragic ending of Devdass life but still he didnt change the ending. As a result this tragedy made Devdas a tragic hero in the eyes of the readers. In 1979 another Debdas was made under the direction of Dilip Roy. Famous actor Soumitra Chatterjee played the main character of Devdas. The Characters of Parvati and Chandramukhi were played by Sumitra Mukhopadhyay and Supriya Debi. Devdass friend Chunilal was played by Uttam Kumar, the legendary superstar of Tollywood. MON NIYE Successful author Amitabha Chaowdhury falls in love and marries Suparna, who has a twin, Aparna. Amitabha's sister, Ratna, who suffers from polio and is neurotic, can't accept the happy marriage and keeps the couple away from each other. Ratna died when her wheelchair slips from the hands of a fainting Suparna to crash downhill. Suparna falls seriously ill. A long tour abroad restores her health. She is pregnant and close to childbirth. Aparna presents the couple a doll. Amitabha anticipates a beautiful daughter and keeps it on the bed between him and Suparna. Spells of dizziness accost Suparna. She is found unconscious in the midst of soapsuds in the bathroom. The baby is lost. The warm relationship between Amitabha and Aparna soon Rouse Suparna's suspicion. In a cultural function, both the sisters faint and are given milk and brandy. Suparna dies saying that Aparna has poisoned her. In court, Aparna is accused of killing her sister to foster her illegitimate relationship with Amitabha. Amitabha discovers a wooden box that Suparna always kept locked. Evidence is found there which proves that Suparna was Schizophrenic and had murdered Ratna, the unborn baby and had wanted to kill Aparna too. Aparna is released. Amitabha, still in love with Suparna, leaves forever. BONPALASHIR PADABALI Bon Palashir Padabali is the story of the peple of the village Bon Palashi. Girija Prasad returns to the village to find many things changed even as many relations remain the same. We find the Doctor, a dedicated professional, identifying with the village until tragedy strikes and he decides it is time for him to leave. We see Udas and his unrequited love. His ambition for a better life consumes both him and Padma. Its a tale of little joys and tragedies that make up the life of the inhabitants of the village and the drama of the village's life. Based on a novel by Ramapada Choudhury, Bon Palashir Padabali was made when the film Industry in West Bengal was going through a deep financial crisis. The Artistes created a group called Shilpi Sansad which produced this film. Uttam Kumar, as the leader of the group took on the task of directing the film and also writing the screenplay. Oddly enough, although Uttam Kumar is the reason why the film is remembered, he makes the least impression when you look at the film critically. Instead, Anil Chatterjee and Bikash Ray make a far more lasting impression as does Supriya Choudhury. Its a film which has some lovely songs - my favourite is "Aha mori mori" composed and sung by Shyamal Mitra.