Bhuvan Shome

Bhuvan Shome is a 1969 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Mrinal Sen[1] based on a Bengali story by Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay.[2] The cast includes Utpal Dutt (Mr. Bhuvan Shome) and Suhasini Mulay (Gauri, a village belle). The film is considered a landmark in modern Indian cinema.[3]

Bhuvan Shome
Film poster
Directed byMrinal Sen
Written byBalai Chand Mukhopadhyay
Produced byMrinal Sen Productions
StarringUtpal Dutt
Suhasini Mulay
Narrated byAmitabh Bachchan
CinematographyK. K. Mahajan
Music byVijay Raghav Rao
Release date
  • 12 May 1969 (1969-05-12)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

This was the debut film of Suhasini Mulay. Amitabh Bachchan did the voiceover and was the narrator.[4]

Plot

Bhuvan Shome, a widower and a dedicated civil servant - strict, uncompromising - is a "big officer" in the Indian Railways. The background of the film is constructed in the context of a few railway ticket checkers discussing him as a strict, unreasonable officer ("afsar"). It continues with him being described, by the narrator, as a man whose "Bengali"-ness has not been affected by his travels. His apparent age, late 50s, is an important element of his psychology.

Inspired by the idea of hunting, Bhuvan Shome takes a "hunting holiday" to Gujarat. It is quite clear that his expedition is amateurish. He is portrayed as an inept "hunter" rather than a man who knows how to acquire a skill.

His encounter with the young Gouri is fortuitous because it is she who takes care of him and helps "hunt" birds. She helps him through a barren wilderness, takes him home and takes care of him. When he is made to change his clothes because otherwise the "birds will know" and fly away is probably an important part of his transformation from a strict, conformist and aging man to one of a person more open to the stimuli of his environment.

The subsequent hunting sojourn of Gouri and Bhuvan Shome is a lyrical exploration of Bhuvan Shome's transformation. He is not only enamored by the simple beauty of Gouri, but also enchanted by the sights of birds on the lake and in the sky.

His hunt is "successful," but only in a way that reflects Bhuvan Shome's limitations as a man.

Bhuvan Shome is deeply affected by Gouri, who is actually schooled more than he could expect to be in that environment.

When he returns to his office chambers, he is seen to reprieve an offending railwayman. This is a sub-plot that completes the story and context of the initial narration.

Cast

Themes

Bhuvan Shome is said to have pioneered the Indian New Wave. It was one of the earliest films to get funded by the National Film Development Corporation of India. The film deals with themes of monotony, solitude, camaraderie, and compassion. It also highlights the rural-urban divide in India.[5]

Awards
National Film Awards
4th International Film Festival of India
  • Jury Prize for Mrinal Sen[6]

References
  1. "'Bhuvan Shome': Why this Mrinal Sen classic can teach you a lot about self-isolation and social distancing - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  2. Banaphula (1970). Bhuvan Shome. Hind Pocket Books.
  3. Mrinal Sen ucla
  4. "Before stardom: Amitabh Bachchan's drudge years are a study in perseverance and persona building".
  5. Banerjee, Shampa; Srivastava, Anil (1988). One Hundred Indian Feature Films: An Annotated Filmography. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-8240-9483-6.
  6. "4th IFFI". 23 November 2019.
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