Rituparno Ghosh (31 August 1963–30 May 2013) was an Indian filmmaker, actor, and writer. Besides being a popular filmmaker, Ghosh was also known for being one of the most openly homosexual people in the film industry. He was immensely influenced by Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray. Ghosh’s craft was inspired by Satyajit Ray, Aparna Sen, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Tapan Sinha. In his career spanning about two decades, Rituparno Ghosh won 12 national and numerous international awards.
I remember seeing Rituparno Ghosh on television for the first time as a 10-year-old. He was a judge in that show. I remember being fascinated by his outfit. I remember telling my mother why all men don’t dress like him, to which I didn’t get any reply. He looked so different, like an artist or a dancer. But if someone had told me he was a painter, I would have believed it too.
My First Time Understanding Rituparno Ghosh
I was exposed to Rabindranath Tagore from a very young age, just like every Bengali. However, it was Rituparno Ghosh whose interviews made me understand the intricacies and nuance of his works. Even though Ghosh studied economics, I wonder how much more he would have done if he were a literature student. He not only understood Tagore or Shakespeare; he understood women like no one else could.
In the 2010 film Just Another Love Story (Bengali: Arekti Premer Golpo), Ghosh stars as director Abhiroop Sen. Ghosh was a creative director in the film. He played the role of a trans filmmaker. It was a documentary on a veteran actor, Chapal Bhaduri. Bhaduri was one of the finest actors in Bengali theater. Bhaduri was known for playing the female roles in the acts. The film portrays his tragic life, from losing his mother at a very young age to being irrelevant both as an artist and person. It draws a parallel between both Bhaduri’s and Sen’s lives. Both of their lovers replace them after a point for their wives. It is more profound than it sounds.
As a 14-year-old, what hit me the most was a folk song that plays throughout the film, Bonomali Tumi Poro Jonome Hoyo Radha. The song translates to: Oh, Bonomali (Krishna) – Reincarnate as Radha in your next life – Then you will understand – The suffering of a woman – The pain that lies in the heart of Radha. The song not only relates to the primary trans-characters in the film but to their lovers’ wives as well—GENIUS!
Female Characters in Rituparno Ghosh’s Films
Female characters in Ghosh’s films are unforgettable. It doesn’t have to be the lead actor; the supporting actors in his films are equally important. One of my favorite aspects of his films is that each role has something to say. Every time I watch his films, I discover something new about the characters or their tone.
Mahamaya in Antarmahal (2005)
Set in the period when women were confined in their inner chambers. The film explored the horrors and tortures of a woman being barren. Mahamaya (Roopa Ganguly) was my favorite character in the film. Her resilience and vulnerability are astonishing. Every time, I can’t help but be fascinated by how Ghosh inculcated jealousy and compassion and conveyed the emotions through her role. She was jealous of her husband’s second wife in the beginning but later protected her like a confidant and mother. Jackie Shroff played the role of the husband. The role of the second wife was played by Soha Ali Khan.
Vandana in The Last Lear (2007)
Vandana (Shefali Shah) is with retired theater actor Harishji, aka Harry (Amitabh Bachchan). Harry is a Shakespearean theater actor. After getting retired, he plays the lead in a film and gets into an accident. Vandana takes care of him. When Harish’s co-star Shabnam (Preity Zinta) came to pay him a visit on the premiere day, she was not welcomed. Vandana shows resentment in the beginning as she blames the film for Harish’s injury. However, their dynamic changed over the course of the night as the women opened up more about their lives. In the end, Vandana asks her to call sometimes as the silence in her house suffocates her. The film also stars Arjun Rampal as the director of Harishji’s film.
Today I wrote about the films and characters that compel me to go back and rewatch. If Tagore, literature, and gender issues are topics you are keen on, I urge you to watch his works. Some of his other best works are Chokher Bali, Raincoat, Chitrangada, Unishe April, Noukadubi, and more.
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