Films that reinvented Rituparna Sengupta as an actor

It’s been almost 23 years since she stepped into the world of Tollywood. She has given so many films- some good, some average, few critically acclaimed, along with awards, ups and downs. It’s really a mixed bag for Rituparna Sengupta. She has always maintained the balance between commercial and art films and still wins accolades and awards in both the genres. Here is an elite list of films that redefined Rituparna as an actor.

‘Anuranan’ revolves around two couples. One is a successful and dynamic architect Rahul (Rahul Bose) and his wife Nandita (Rituparna Sengupta) who is traditionally a bit conventional despite staying in London for some years. When they return to Kolkata, they meet another couple Amit (Rajat Kapoor), a workaholic real estate developer and his charming, effervescent wife Preeti (Raima Sen). The closeness of the foursome turns out to be a see-saw, pitching several dimensions, building a resonance, a chord and it eventually echoes through their present and future.

'Utsab' has been one of the most important films in Rituparna’s career. This Rituparno Ghosh directorial even received a national award. Set against the backdrop of Durga Puja, the film shows many emotional currents passing among a family and relatives. Some of the industry’s big names like Madhabi Mukherjee, Mamta Sankar and Prosenjit Chatterjee played key roles alongside Rituparna. The charming actress excelled in her role as the younger daughter of the family.

It was a great achievement for director duo Shiboprosad and Nandita to bring back one of the most romantic on-screen couples of Bengali cinema – Prosenjit and Rituparna. The 2016 hit showed how the former wife successfully churns out a better person out of her husband. She eventually turns him into a romantic lovable husband for the second wife. Experience makes a person perfect. That’s what Prosenjit’s character deals with. His character goofed up the first marriage so the next time he tries his best not to repeat the same mistakes but eventually files for a divorce once again.

The story of this movie highlighted a completely different image of the partition of India. 'Rajkahini' follows a group of prostitutes played by Rituparna Sengupta, Saayoni Ghosh and Sohini Sarkar in this Bengali epic, who refuse to leave their brothel for the creation of Radcliffe Line (a boundary demarcation line between India and Pakistan made on 17 August 1947 ). The honest and striking narrative used by Srijit earned the film an 'A' certificate. The content he followed, received positive reviews, although there were some factual mistakes.

Tarun Majumder adapted the famous Bibhutibhushan story into a Bengali classic ornamented mellifluously with Tagore’s songs. The titular character, played by Rituparna Chakraborty, after her marriage becomes a village’s most prized possession. At the climax, even after her tragic demise during childbirth, she spreads light and warmth. At the very end, it shows how everyone was touched by her presence. However, her death remains the most tragic incident in the film.

Paromita (Rituparna), a modern woman and her mother-in-law Sanaka (Aparna Sen) develop a friendly bond. The differences in age and thoughts can’t stop them from becoming each other's confidants. The Aparna Sen directorial tries to explore women of different generations and establishes a shocking difference and similarity at the same time between the women from a wider perspective.

This Rituparno Ghosh directorial doesn’t have a positive ending but presents the realities well. When some antisocial elements molest newly married Romita (Rituparna Sengupta), nobody dares to stand beside her except a brave school teacher Jhinuk (Indrani Haldar). But, Jhinuk gets victimised, facing obscene questions in the courtroom when Romita's family, fearing social stigma, hides behind social status. 'Dahan' interpreted a burning instance of victim-shaming and led us to many moral questions.

‘Drishtikone’ revolves around a lawyer Jiyan (played by Prosenjit Chatterjee) and his client Srimati (played by Rituparna Sengupta) who have to stay in touch for years as a case drags on. The twisting love story portrays how their professional relationship turns personal over time. The narrative, with matured dialogues, really tugs at the heartstrings despite being an interesting thriller. The way director Kaushik Ganguly has treated the storyline and brilliant performances from all the artists make this Bengali drama a must watch. Rituparna’s flawless acting as Srimati received an overwhelming response.