Mahanagar
Encyclopedia
Mahanagar is a 1963 film directed by Satyajit Ray
. It is sometimes released as The Big City in the English-speaking world. Based on a short story, Abataranika written by Narendranath Mitra
, it tells the story of a housewife who disconcerts her traditionalist family by getting a job as a salesperson. It marks the first screen appearance of Jaya Bhaduri (now Jaya Bachchan
), who would later become one of Bollywood
's leading actresses.
), as she takes her first job because of increasing financial pressure due to her husband's income not being enough for the family to live on. This decision is purely a financial one and is made in spite of opposition from both families. Arati subsequently grows to delight in her newfound financial and psychological independence.Eventually, her husband loses his job and she becomes the sole breadwinner. Arati grows increasingly independent and befriends an English-speaking, Anglo-Indian
colleague (representative of the legacy of the British Raj
) Edith (Vicky Redwood), a move which raises suspicion and increases conflict.
at the 14th Berlin International Film Festival
in 1964. Upon its delayed (1968) release in the United States, it drew praise from Roger Ebert
, Pauline Kael
and others. The film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film
at the 36th Academy Awards
, but was not accepted as a nominee.
Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
. It is sometimes released as The Big City in the English-speaking world. Based on a short story, Abataranika written by Narendranath Mitra
Narendranath Mitra
-Biography:He was born in Faridpur in modern day Bangladesh. He was based in Kolkata, now in India at the time of partition in 1947, and chose to remain in India when his birthplace fell to the share of Pakistan....
, it tells the story of a housewife who disconcerts her traditionalist family by getting a job as a salesperson. It marks the first screen appearance of Jaya Bhaduri (now Jaya Bachchan
Jaya Bachchan
Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan is an Indian actress and politician. She is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Bachchan is the wife of Amitabh Bachchan, and is the mother of Shweta Bachchan-Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan...
), who would later become one of Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
's leading actresses.
Plot
Mahanagar is set in Calcutta during the 1950s. It explores the evolving independence of a middle-class woman, Arati Mazumdar (Madhabi MukherjeeMadhabi Mukherjee
Madhabi Mukherjee née Chakraborty is a reputed Bengali actress who has acted in some of the most critically acclaimed films in Bengali cinema.Her major role was the title role of Charu in Satyajit Ray's masterpiece Charulata...
), as she takes her first job because of increasing financial pressure due to her husband's income not being enough for the family to live on. This decision is purely a financial one and is made in spite of opposition from both families. Arati subsequently grows to delight in her newfound financial and psychological independence.Eventually, her husband loses his job and she becomes the sole breadwinner. Arati grows increasingly independent and befriends an English-speaking, Anglo-Indian
Anglo-Indian
Anglo-Indians are people who have mixed Indian and British ancestry, or people of British descent born or living in India, now mainly historical in the latter sense. British residents in India used the term "Eurasians" for people of mixed European and Indian descent...
colleague (representative of the legacy of the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
) Edith (Vicky Redwood), a move which raises suspicion and increases conflict.
Cast
- Anil ChatterjeeAnil ChatterjeeAnil Chatterjee was a Bengali actor in the Bengali cinema during the early fifties through to the late eighties and was mostly remembered as a character actor. He acted in about 45 movies, both as a character actor and in leading roles with the limited opportunities he received during his time...
- Subrata Mazumdar - Madhabi MukherjeeMadhabi MukherjeeMadhabi Mukherjee née Chakraborty is a reputed Bengali actress who has acted in some of the most critically acclaimed films in Bengali cinema.Her major role was the title role of Charu in Satyajit Ray's masterpiece Charulata...
- Arati Mazumder - Jaya Bhaduri - Bani
- Haren Chatterjee - Priyogopal (Subrata's father)
- Sefalika Devi - Sarojini (Subrata's Mother)
- Prosenjit Sarkar - Pintu
- Haradhan BannerjeeHaradhan BandopadhyayHaradhan Bandopadhyay is a Bengali Indian male actor of television and films.-Early life:Bandopadhyay started his schooling from Kushthiya Municipal School. He passed matriculation in 1944. In 1946, he finished his IA exam from City College, Kolkata, an affiliate of the University of Calcutta. He...
- Himangshu Mukherjee - Vicky Redwood - Edith
Awards
Satyajit Ray won the Silver Bear for Best DirectorSilver Bear for Best Director
The Silver Bear for Best Director is the Berlin International Film Festival's award for best achievement in direction.-Awards:-Repeated winners:*Mario Monicelli *Satyajit Ray *Carlos Saura -External links:*...
at the 14th Berlin International Film Festival
14th Berlin International Film Festival
The 14th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 26 to July 7, 1964.-Jury:* Anthony Mann * Hermann Schwerin* Lucas Demare* Jacques Doniol-Valcroze* Yorgos Javellas* Richard Todd* Takashi Hamama* Gerd Ressing...
in 1964. Upon its delayed (1968) release in the United States, it drew praise from Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
, Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael was an American film critic who wrote for The New Yorker magazine from 1968 to 1991. Earlier in her career, her work appeared in City Lights, McCall's and The New Republic....
and others. The film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
at the 36th Academy Awards
36th Academy Awards
The 36th Academy Awards, honoring the best in film for 1963, were held on April 13, 1964 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. They were hosted by Jack Lemmon....
, but was not accepted as a nominee.
See also
- List of submissions to the 36th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film