National Awards winner Rituparna Sengupta graced the prestigious MAMI Film Festival for the premiere of her latest film, Puratawn (The Ancient), alongside celebrated National Award Winning director Suman Ghosh, veteran icon and National Award Winner Sharmila Tagore, co-star Indraneil Sengupta , Ekavali Khanna, Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu, Madhu Chopra & Manoj Bajpayee.The premiere saw the presence of the entire cast and crew, marking a significant milestone in the film’s journey.
Sharmila Tagore and Rituparna Sengupta unite in Puratawn (The Ancient), a powerful narrative brought to life by acclaimed director Suman Ghosh. This collaboration holds special significance as it marks Sharmila Tagore’s long-awaited return to Bengali cinema after a 14-year hiatus. Having expressed her desire to work with Rituparna on a meaningful Bengali film, the two iconic actresses were on the lookout for the right project. When Suman Ghosh proposed the idea, the synergy was instant. Excited by the opportunity to share the screen with Sharmila Tagore and driven by a compelling script, Rituparna enthusiastically embraced the project. The result is a masterpiece that delves into the complexities of the past, with both actors delivering captivating performances that elevate the film’s emotional depth.
Rituparna Sen chose Suman Ghosh to be the director and discussed the wonderful possibilities of the film. Suman Ghosh came up with this wonderful script and the synergy was instant. After winning hearts and accolades at the Washington DC South Asian Film Festival — where it bagged Best Film and Sharmila Tagore earned the award for Best Actress — MAMI became the next distinguished platform to showcase this cinematic gem.
Rituparna Sengupta is no stranger to powerful, meaningful cinema. Known for her bold and unconventional film choices, she continues to redefine artistic excellence. In Puratawn (The Ancient), her portrayal exemplifies the delicate complexity of human emotions, offering a performance that lingers long after the credits roll.
The film, a hauntingly beautiful exploration of the past’s lingering presence, tells the poignant story of old ghosts — both literal and metaphorical — and the human need to confront and release them to embrace the future. A beautiful mother and daughter emotional story.
Commenting on the response to the film, Rituparna expressed, “Suman Ghosh has crafted an exceptional script that instantly resonated with Sharmila Tagore ji, and that’s how this beautiful film came to life. She expressed her desire for me to lead the project, and we had the privilege of making it happen. It’s a blessing to have had this incredible opportunity, especially after the blockbuster success of Ajoggyo, directed by the brilliant Koushik Ganguly, which has been running strong for 120 days and counting. Premiering at MAMI is a significant milestone for us, and we are excited for all the good things that lie ahead."
