Before Rakhee Gulzar's Aamar Boss, catch similar Bengali family dramas on OTT
5 Bengali family dramas you can deeply resonate with
Projapoti
This drama explores a retired widower Gaur who lives with his adult son Joy who's a wedding planner and has a very busy schedule. The old man desperately wants his son to get married, which Joy seems to avoid, making his father try every other possible way to make him understand the value of a family. Projapoti highlights the issues of work-life balance in the young generation, how life is short, and how circumstances and hardships don't defy us.
Samantaral
This story follows Arko's life who visits his extended family and discovers a dark secret about his uncle Sujan who has been kept alone in a room due to his presumed mental illness. As Arko delves deeper into the situation, he discovers that Sujan is intersex and that the family has been hiding the fact, leading to tragic consequences. Samantaral teaches us that understanding an individual's choice and acceptance are important parts of our lives. It highlights how we must not judge other's perspectives.
Basu Poribar
This family drama centers around the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs Basu. The celebration brings together their entire family including their adult sons and their respective families. However, things take a turn when long buried family secrets come out leading to exposing the dynamics of each relationship. Basu Poribar shows us how tradition works in a joint family, how unresolved issues can resurface anytime, and how you can handle it in a proper way.
Switzerland
This drama revolves around a middle-class family where Shibashish and Rumi live with their two children. The couple harbours a desire to go on a vacation to Switzerland for a long time. The story delves into their financial struggles and the ups and downs they encounter while trying to achieve their dream. Switzerland explores the topics of middle-class aspirations, family values, and the impact of globalisation on desires and how financial inability can make an impact on everyone's lives.
Ramdhanu
Another family drama that explores the life of a middle-class family and the challenges they face while securing their child's education. Ramdhanu highlights the societal pressure and the aspirations surrounding education, particularly within a Bengali community. The movie delves into the complexities of finding the right school for a child and the sacrifices the parents make to achieve the goal. The movie features varieties of characters, each with their own perspectives and approaches to life, which makes it easier for the audience to connect with the story.
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Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
John Abraham at Idea Exchange: ‘In the name of being secular, you can't be making controversial films. But biased films finding an audience is worrisome'
Actor-producer John Abraham on Tehran, his interest in geopolitics, the thin line between patriotism and jingoism and why the best films are coming out of the Malayalam industry. This session was moderated by Devyani Onial, National Features Editor Devyani Onial: You debuted in films in 2003. It has been a long journey… Devyani Onial: Your latest film, Tehran, on Zee5 is topical with all that has played out between Israel and Iran. But you also have a personal connection with Iran — your mother traces her roots to the country. Tehran came to me as a typically good guy India and bad guy Iran, and I said, hey, wait a second. So my father's a Malayali and my mother and my grandfather from my mother's side came from Iran. So obviously I said Iran can't look so bad. There has to be something nice about this country. So we wrote a story about Iran, Israel, India, and how India was affected by the whole Iran-Israel conflict. Of course, you had another player in Palestine, and not topically so, because this film was made way before the war. The war happened later and we said this is a very interesting premise, and how do we project this film? So we kept this film very neutral, we kept this film very true to what actually happened. It's not your typical patriotic film. It shows the good and bad that happened, that exists within this country, which we're very scared today to show in this kind of hyper-political atmosphere. Devyani Onial: There's a very thin line between patriotism and jingoism. Do you worry about crossing that line when you are making a film or acting in one? Yes, totally. What's very worrisome for me is that in the present political climate, when you make films that aren't really true to the grain of what's really secular, and they find a massive audience, that gets you thinking and worried. I'm not saying they're good or bad films. They're impactful films, which is why they worked. But then you wonder what your responsibilities are as a producer, as a filmmaker, as an actor. And I've chosen to take the path that's probably very real. I'm not right-wing. I'm not left-wing. I am apolitical in my views. I'll probably call myself a socialist capitalist. So I want to stick to the path that actually is true. Shubhra Gupta: You started with Jism and then you did Kabul Express, two completely different kinds of films. So my idea of looking at you as an actor was that you were actually looking at a spectrum from one to the other. And as a producer, you seem to have been an outlier. What are the things that you look for when you are looking to back a movie and when you're looking at acting? I think my career is defined more by my failures than my successes. I believe the films that have stood out for me are the ones that have failed, be it Water, Kabul Express, No Smoking (2007), Madras Cafe, even The Diplomat. I have understood that where I have a voice is when I'm an outlier, when I make the kind of stuff I want to. In fact, Vicky Donor was a film that no one wanted to touch but we made it with a lot of conviction. So that's one part of me. The other part of what you said was, yes, I do films that have a lot of action, that have a lot of testosterone. You fight, you break, you bang. You have a large audience for that. But what I am hoping for through my films is to marry craft with content. Right now, they're parallel streets. Shubhra Gupta: Not too many people will remember a film that you'd done, Viruddh (2005). There was a very interesting texture to your part. So would you look at those kinds of very specific, not so much action, but more emotional kind of roles now, going forward, given the fact that you are now being associated with this muscular, macho hero kind of films? I think it's the other way around where I was always associated with the muscular, macho image. I'll tell you where I get my feedback from. I get my feedback from when I travel on flights, because as an actor I am very insulated from people. So when I travel, the impression I get from an audience that sits next to me generally is that, we love the films that you're doing now, the stuff that you're doing now makes a lot more sense. So when we see a John Abraham film, we expect something different. So there's an honest attempt to… like I said, geopolitical stuff is something that's very close to my heart. Do I want to make films that are more thought-provoking? Yes, that's the idea. But does that mean I alienate and give up what has also worked for me? No, I won't. I would never be apologetic about it. So you have to draw that balance and do both. But in the process of doing both, you shouldn't end up making a mess. Divya A: I heard you once say that you have geopolitical anxiety. I think in this Trump era we all have it, maybe to some degree. But for you personally, where did this interest in geopolitics start from and how did it become an anxiety or something that consumed you because all your films are coming out of that space now? From childhood, we were always drawn to watching the news. With the advent of the internet, my interest in the geopolitical space kept growing. In fact, recently I did an interview with Oksana Boyko of Russia Today on the whole Russia-Ukraine conflict and then the bureau called me and said, 'How do you know so much about Russia?' So I think it's my Mallu roots of having something about a Marxist, politically. But I think it just adds to whatever I kind of enjoy indulging in. So, I have developed this fondness for space has always excited me. Rinku Ghosh: OTT came up as an alternative platform for content-driven films but now we see the same bigness of commercial cinema on it. Do you feel there has been a blurring of lines between OTT and the big screen? Second, you are championing causes like the wildlife reserve in Telangana. You have also taken up the Northeast United FC, promoting football. Do these pursuits keep you grounded or are you carving out a new path for yourself? The lines are blurred a bit. But if you ask me if there should be a demarcation, I don't think so. On the animal front, I campaign for the cause of animals across this country and I am going to continue to do so because I think they're voiceless and they need a voice and some of us are doing it. Some of us mean well for the cause and whether it's writing letters to chief ministers or whatever it takes, I will do in my capacity because if there's a calling in my life, it's for animals. Without offending any human beings, animals are very important to me. I am very passionate about football. I'm opening a 15-acre academy in Shillong, where we want to get kids aged eight to 10. We can get one Messi or Ronaldo in this world from India and that's my aim. Owning a team for the sake of vanity doesn't exist in my scheme of things. But again, I'm not that actor who's going to sit with black glasses in a stadium and just look around. I want to see results. Devyani Onial: Aamir Khan recently launched his film Sitaare Zameen Par on YouTube. What do you think of that model? I think Aamir is a flag-bearer for some of us. That said, films need to be on screen for a longer period of time. I understand that YouTube is a great disruptor, so that's great. But I question the window, I'm confused. I've just been hit by a truck. So I guess I'll wait and think about it. But I think it's a disruptor and I think he's done something very differently. So kudos to him. I think you've got another platform that people would be buying for tomorrow saying, if not XYZ, then you have another option, it's fantastic. Shiny Varghese: Your mom is from Iran. It has such a different history from what we see in Iran today. So do you have stories of that time that your mom has told you about? My mom has 21 cousins in Iran—in Yazd, in Shiraz. It has always been my dream to take mom there. Unfortunately, she has dementia now. She can speak Farsi and I think the most beautiful thing that I did was to learn the language for Tehran. Also, I think Iran is probably the most misrepresented country in the world. Culturally, artistically, they're so fantastically rich. You get some of the most beautiful films out of Iran. Shiny Varghese: There's a dialogue in Madras Cafe where the journalist says that just because I criticise what's happening around, it doesn't make me anti-national. Is that a statement the film was trying to make? If you see, in The Diplomat also, we've shown the good and the bad there (in Pakistan). You've got to be honest to your process, which is why I said what's really dangerous is that certain radical views are finding a massive audience. It's really scary. So it's important for us as filmmakers to get the right message across. I want to believe that India is a secular country, that we're a fantastic democracy, and I want us to stay that way. Devyani Onial: Addressing the media in 2023 after Pathaan's release, Shah Rukh Khan said that Deepika Padukone was Amar, he was Akbar and you were Anthony. That perhaps sums up the film industry and India in one line. But do you sometimes feel that idea is under assault? I don't think there's a secret about the fact that we're making our views very clear as actors and directors. So, yes, a lot of us pretend to be secular. That's very good. And as long as we pretend, it's also very good. And people who don't get the fact that we pretend, it's even better. So that's the way I put it. But, everybody is entitled to their view. And so do filmmakers, and if they have a particular view, then so be it. In the name of being secular, you can't just be making films that could possibly be controversial. But there are films that are openly biased that are finding an audience. That's what is worrying. That's all. So there's a difference between the two. Ivinder Gill: You said India is not really the good guy in Tehran. So did you face any regulatory hurdles because of that? Do you think that is the reason why the film did not get a theatrical release? I give all credit to the Ministry of External Affairs for viewing this film and for passing it because they've been fantastic. This is the kind of film you get into with your eyes open. And when you see the film, you won't find anything particularly controversial except for what's really happening in the world. So yes, we did face a lot of hurdles. But that's the idea, right? When you do something creative, when you want to make a statement, when you want to do something that you believe is different, you are going to face some amount of restriction. It goes with the territory. I'm not wearing it on my sleeve. I'm not complaining. It's absolutely fine. Devyani Onial: You have produced a Malayalam film (Mike, 2022) and you also have a writer's room in Kerala. Is this an exciting space for you? At least as of today, I think the best films in this country come from the Malayalam film industry. If you ask me who my favourite actor is I will say Mohanlal, by light years — I love Meryl Streep also! The industry is very brave. Look at Mammootty playing a politician, and then you find out in the film (Kaathal) that he's gay. I mean, it's brave for that man to do a film like that. So I thought that maybe I could borrow from some of their ideas. I set up a writer's room in Kerala and I said, listen, let's generate ideas out of there and see films that could be made nationally or only in Malayalam. I want to make all kinds of films but it's the right time to make good Malayalam films. Shubhra Gupta: When you are talking about films, in the last few years, and they have been solidly backed by propaganda, I'm just wondering whether filmmakers like you or other people, the pretend-secularists or actual serious secularists, can take that space that has been ceded? Absolutely. I know the industry. There's hope. There are very good people in this industry. There are very secular, fantastic people here that want the best for films, that want the best for society, that want the best for the country. So I have a lot of hope and a lot of faith. And we'll see it coming in the next few years, mark my words. Rinku Ghosh: You are a fitness icon. Everybody is looking for some tips from you. Can the 40-plus also start on a fitness journey? I'll start by saying this — the lady who trains with me in the gym is a 74-year-old woman with stage two cancer who has had chemotherapy. The point I'm trying to make is that there is no age to get fit. It's a mindset. A lot of women who feel post menopause life is over, please throw that out of your head. You can get fit at any point of time in your lives. Most of the people I train with or I train or I give advice to are women. Contrary to the image I have that I hang around with only dudes, I don't. I just speak about living a good life. If you want longevity, quality of life, you've got to eat the right things, think about the right things and be very, very disciplined.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Case against Vivek Agnihotri over Gopal Mukherjee's portrayal in ‘Bengal Files'
A Hindi film awaiting release has sparked controversy over its portrayal of Gopal Mukherjee, a renowned Bengali fighter who had a pivotal role in stopping the1946 riots and the atrocities on Hindus. Shantanu Mukherjee, Gopal's grandson, has filed a police complaint against the film's director, alleging that the movie distorts his grandfather's film's trailer introduces Gopal Patha as "Ek Tha Kashai Gopal Patha", which Shantanu claims is a misrepresentation of his grandfather's character. Shantanu asserts that his grandfather was not a butcher by profession, but rather a wrestler and a key figure in the Anushilan Samiti, who played a crucial role in preventing Muslim League riots in has sent a legal notice to the director, demanding an apology for the alleged distortion of his grandfather's character. He claims that the film's portrayal is not only inaccurate but also hurtful to the family and the community. Shantanu claimed, "My grandfather was called Kashai (which means the butcher), also called Patha (means goat), which is disrespectful. I think Vivek Agnihotri should research more on this. From where did they get this wrong information? He has not contacted us either. That's why we are protesting this and will continue to do so. In protest, we have sent a legal notice to Vivek Agnihotri and also filed an FIR."Grandson of Gopal Mukherjee also claimed, "He was a part of the freedom movement. His ideology matched with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He worked with several notable freedom fighters. How can anyone say he is Kashai or Patha?"The controversy comes on the 80th anniversary of the "Great Calcutta Killings", a pivotal event in Indian history that led to the deaths of thousands of people in Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta) on August 16, 1946, the 'Direct Action Day' called by the Muslim League. - EndsMust Watch
India Today
6 hours ago
- India Today
Nawazuddin Siddiqui opens up on his bond with daughter Shora: My biggest critic
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, known for his powerful performances in films like 'Gangs Of Wasseypur', 'Kick', 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and 'Raees', recently opened up about his special bond with his daughter, Shora, who is also preparing to step into a recent interview with The New Indian, Nawazuddin said, 'I am more attached to my daughter. I yell at her sometimes, but she is very dear to me. She studies in Dubai and she is a moohphat (straightforward). She criticises me. The best part is she is not in awe of me. She doesn't care that her father is a great actor, in two minutes, she can criticise me.'advertisementWhen asked about her feedback, the actor added, 'Mujhe zameen par laa deti hai (She keeps me grounded). Meri kuch aadatein hain jispe voh mujhe suna deti hai (I have some habits for which she scolds me). She hasn't even watched many of my movies.' In July this year, Nawaz had shared a video of Shora performing a short scene in English with another actor. The 15-year-old's dialogue delivery impressed netizens, with many praising her acting potential. The actor has previously revealed that Shora also wishes to become an actor and is currently training for the the work front, Nawazuddin was last seen in 'Costao' on ZEE5. He will next appear in Maddock Films' horror-comedy universe with 'Thama', co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna and Paresh Rawal. Directed by Aaditya Sarpotdar, the film is slated for a Diwali 2025 release.- EndsMust Watch
