One of the country’s most influential film critics, Utpal Datta has compiled a list of 30 Indian films, which he takes into account as ‘Must See’ movies. Datta’s latest book on film appreciation – Chalachitrar Rasaswadan, sheds light on some of the most artistically made movies, and the people behind their makings. It has to be mentioned that this is the first Assamese book on the subject of film appreciation, which is an extension of film criticism. The author addresses the book not just to film students but to any enthusiast, offering new keys as to how to recognise and value the good films. From a carefully selected list of 100 films, some groundbreaking ones, he has included 30 Indian films along with seventy specially picked films from world cinema. This book, which aims to help readers to see movies in a whole new light, is an important guide to the students of Film Appreciation.
Utpal Datta bagged the Special Jury Mention for his writings on Cinema at the National Film Awards besides winning several other awards. He extensively writes on films and edits books on cinema and delivers lectures on Film Aesthetics at Universities. He has also made short films, most notably ‘By Lane 2’ and ‘Bahubritta’, both of which were included in the prestigious Indian Panorama. ‘By Lane 2’ also fetched him the State Award for Best Direction. He has served as a member of Jury in several National and International Film Festivals.
The following is the list of 30 Indian films that any film lover cannot afford to miss:
Films in Assamese
1. Anirban, Dir – Bhabendra Nath Saikia
2. Dr. Bezbarua, Brajen Barua
3. Agnishnan, Bhabendra Nath Saikia
4. Kallol, Atul Bardaloi
Films in Bangla
5. Pather Panchali, Satyajit Ray
6. Charulata, Satyajit Ray
7. Pratidwandi, Satyajit Ray
8. Ajantrik, Rwitwik Ghatak
9. Chorus, Mrinal Sen
10. Chitrangada, Rituparno Ghosh
11. Hrid Majharey, Ranjan Ghosh
Film in Khasi
12. Onaatah, Pradip Kurbah
Film in Manipuri
13. Imagi Ningthem, Aribam Syam Sharma
Films in Hindi
14. Pyaasa, Guru Dutt
15. Mughal-E-Azam, K. Asif
16. Mother India, Mehboob Khan
17. Do Bigha Zamin, Bimal Roy
18. Kaagaz Ke Phool, Guru Dutt
19. Trikal, Shyam Benegal
20. Guide, Vijay Anand
21. Sholay, Ramesh Sippy
22. Anand, Hrishikesh Mukherjee
23. Satya, Ram Gopal Varma
24. Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, Chandan Arora
Films in Malayalam
25. Elippathayam, Adoor Gopalakrishnan
26. Piravi, Shaji N. Karun
27. Swaham, Shaji N. Karun
28. Olu, Shaji N. Karun
29. Chidambaram, G. Aravindan
Film inTelugu
30. Sankarabharanam, K. Viswanath
This list of thirty of the greatest Indian films is surely a treasure for all film lovers and critics alike. With his well acclaimed craftsmanship and understanding of cinema, revered film-critic Utpal Datta has really enabled us all to acquaint ourselves with cinema in Indian languages and see some of the best cinematic productions of our times.
