Mahananda (film)

Mahananda is a 2022 Indian Bengali-language biographical film directed by Arindam Sil.^[1] The film is produced by Firdausul Hasan and Probal Halder under the banner of Friends Communication. The film is based on the life and works of the eminent writer and socio-political activist Mahasweta Devi.^[2] The film stars Gargi Roychowdhury in the title role.^[3]

Mahananda
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Arindam Sil
Written by	Arindam Sil Shubhendu Dasmunshi
Produced by	Firdausul Hasan Probal Halder
Starring	Gargi Roychowdhury Debshankar Halder Ishaa Saha Arno Mukhopadhyay
Cinematography	Ayan Sil
Edited by	Sanglap Bhowmik
Music by	Bickram Ghosh
Production company	Friends Communication
Distributed by	SSR Cinemas
Release date	8 April 2022 (2022-04-08)
Running time	132 minutes
Country	India
Language	Bengali

Plot

Mohal Basu, an enthusiastic college student, wants to pursue her PhD research on the writer and socio-political activist Mahananda Bhattacharya. For that, she goes to Mahananda herself and a series of events occur in their lives which change Mohal mentally.^[4]

Cast

• Gargi Roychowdhury as Mahananda Bhattacharya, an eminent writer and socio-political activist ^[5]
• Debshankar Haldar as Bidhan Bhattacharya, husband of Mahananda Bhattacharya ^[6]
• Ishaa Saha as Mohal Basu, a PhD scholar who is researching on the life and works of Mahananda Bhattacharya ^[7]
• Arno Mukhopadhyay as Bihan, Mohal's boyfriend

Soundtrack

Mahananda
Soundtrack album by Bickram Ghosh
Released	14 March 2022
Genre	Film soundtrack
Length	18:44
Language	Bengali
Label	Friends Communication
Official audio
Mahananda - Full Album on YouTube

All the songs are composed by Bickram Ghosh^[8] and the lyrics are penned by Subhendu Dasmunshi.

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Rong Dhorese"	Subhendu Dasmunshi	Bickram Ghosh	Sahana Bajpaie	2:34
2.	"Amar E Poth"	Rabindranath Tagore	Rabindranath Tagore	Sahana Bajpaie	2:05
3.	"Mati Amar"	Subhendu Dasmunshi	Bickram Ghosh	Sahana Bajpaie	3:26
4.	"Hey Ote"	Subhendu Dasmunshi	Bickram Ghosh	Dipannita Acharya	3:51
5.	"Dhanuk Uthao"	Subhendu Dasmunshi	Bickram Ghosh	Timir Biswas, Dipannita Acharya	3:16
6.	"Dhol Baje"	Subhendu Dasmunshi	Bickram Ghosh	Dipannita Acharya	0:37
7.	"Jhanshi Song"	Subhendu Dasmunshi	Bickram Ghosh	Dipannita Acharya	2:04
Total length:					18:44

Release

The film was theatrically released on 8 April 2022.^[9]

Reception

Mahananda has received positive to mixed reviews, with critics praising its narrative structure and performances but criticizing the characterization of its protagonist.^[10][11][12] Sandipta Bhanja of The Indian Express wrote "The heart of this film is the music of Bickram Ghosh. Which gave another dimension to 'Mahananda'. Be it the use of Santali instruments in the background music or the song 'Rong Dhorese' sung by Sahana Bajpai. 'Mahananda' once again proved that Arindam-Bickram duo has undoubtedly set another milestone in Bengali cinema music. How did the indomitable struggle of a woman, the force of her mental strength put the ruling party in confusion? If you want to know then you can watch 'Mahananda' in theatres".^[13] Ranabir Bhattacharyya of Hindustan Times wrote "The early events of Mahananda's life are especially marked on the screen. Bijan Bhattacharya's conversation with Mahasweta Devi seems to be caught effortlessly in moments of humility like those of Mahananda and Bidhan Bhattacharya. In Arno Mukhopadhyay, Ishaa Saha also catches the eye with their easy chemistry. Bickram Ghosh's music scheme has given a worthy accompaniment. And of course Sahana Bajpaie's songs should not be missed!Sabarni Das' costume design is the asset of this movie".^[14]