Satyajit Ray's Mahanagar, starring Madhabi Mukhopadhyay and Anil Chatterjee, reflects the struggles of a society post-Partition.
Last Updated: 12.42 PM, Sep 21, 2024
Satyajit Ray’s Mahanagar which features Madhabi Mukhopadhyay and Anil Chatterjee is a mirror of a Partition-suffered society and its socio-economic struggle. As Arati (played by Madhabi Mukhopadhyay) steps out of her house to earn money for her family, a lot of changes are chronicled in her family and the world around her.
This Ray’s 1963 classic hit the theatre on September 20. When OTTplay reported the news, it came as a treat for cinema lovers in India. Not surprisingly, the re-release of Mahanagar turned out to bring positive numbers at the box office. The film was released in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and Banglore at a multiplex chain. The screened version is a 2K digital restoration carried out by Pixion Studios and Cameo Media Labs.
According to an insider from the chain, the film is doing the best in Mumbai. The other shows in Kolkata, Delhi, and Bangalore are also doing well. “On Friday, there was a Rs 99 ticket going on and we saw a positive footfall. Interestingly on Saturday – a regular weekend business day – Mumbai recorded a very good response. The afternoon show was almost fully booked and the evening show is also going steady. It will be a houseful one. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, the South City and Salt Lake City Centre are showing positive numbers. Delhi shows have 40% advance booking. On the other hand, on Saturday afternoon, the evening show in Bangalore showed 26% bookings. If all goes well, it will end up in 70% occupancy for the show. It is surely a positive sign,” said the source.
Produced by RD Bansal, Mahanagar captures the socio-economic conflicts when a woman steps out to earn money to help her poverty-stricken family in Kolkata. The film captures the dilemma of an orthodox family and its values. In a season of re-runs and re-releases, Mahanagar is a whiff of fresh air for film lovers.