Rituparna Sengupta on Tarun Majumdar: He was an institution

Rituparna Sengupta, who is currently in the US to attend this year’s North American Bengali Conference, was in tears while saying her condolence message after Tarun Majumdar’s death. The actress has worked in three films – Alo, Chander Bari, and Balobashar Bari – by the director. Alo, which has garnered appreciation from different corners, is still considered one of the best works of Tarun Majumdar. She has sent a condolence note from the US to OTTplay. 

Remembering Tarun Majumdar, Rutuparna says, “It is saddening to even think Tarun Majumdar is no more. He was an institution. He gave us a huge universe of his creation. We have been enriched by his creation and philosophy. He gave Indian cinema a new dimension. His constant pursuit to find a new language of cinema gave us several brilliant films. He often dealt with topics like rediscovering old relationships and dealing with love as part of content. I don’t think there are many people with such a sharp point of view as him.” 

Also read: Tarun Majumdar demise: Sandhya Roy remembers her husband: He gave me the freedom to explore my art 

Rituparna shares her own experience of working with him. She says that the filmmaker was also a person with strong conviction. “I saw him closely. I think I am privileged and blessed that I worked with him on three films. Each of the three films has left an impact on the audience. Alo has set an example in the Bengali film industry. Alo was a new dawn in Bengali cinema. It is a landmark film. Even today, people ask me if there is a chance of making another film like Alo. He made Chander Bari in 2007 with Soham Chakraborty, Koel Mallick and Ranjit Mallick. I was part of that. My last film with him was Bhalobashar bari. The film is about a loving household. I absolutely love the story,” the actress says.  

Rituparna also emphasises how the director incorporated music in his films. “No one knows how to evaluate love within a family more than him. Also, his sense of music was spot on. He used Rabindrasangeet in his songs like no one did. The songs have added a new dimension to the films,” she says. Talking about her favourite Tarun Majumdar films, Rituparna mentions Dadar Kirti, Bhalobasha Bhalosbasha, Polatok, Ganadevta and so on. 

“He was an exceptional filmmaker. He shows us an enormous variety of films to us. I am saddened by the news. I am far away and could not be at his family’s side. Here is what I want to say, ‘Tarunda, you are our pride. You are the master. Take a bow’,” says Rutuparna.