Bhuvan Shome
Encyclopedia
Bhuvan Shome is a 1969 Hindi film directed by Mrinal Sen
. The cast includes Utpal Dutt
(Mr Bhuvan Shome) and Suhasini Mulay
(Gauri, a village belle). Sen based his film on a Bengali story by Banaphool
(Balai Chand Mukhopadhya) and is considered a landmark in modern Indian cinema.
This is a debut film for Suhasini Mulay
.
Bhuvan Shome 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 of him being described, by a 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 hunting, Bhuvan Shome is seen to take a "hunting holiday" to Gujarat. It's quite clear that his expedition is amateur. It is portrayed as an aspiration of an inept "hunter" rather than of 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 ageing 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 enamoured 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 she 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.
Mrinal Sen
Mrinal Sen is a Bengali Indian filmmaker. He was born on 14 May 1923, in the town of Faridpur, now in Bangladesh in a Hindu family. After finishing his high school there, he left home to come to Calcutta as a student and studied physics at the well-known Scottish Church College and at the...
. The cast includes Utpal Dutt
Utpal Dutt
Utpal Dutt was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He was primarily an actor in Bengali Theatre, where he became a pioneering figure in Modern Indian theatre, when he founded the 'Little Theater Group' in 1947, which enacted many English, Shakespearean and Brecht plays, in a period...
(Mr Bhuvan Shome) and Suhasini Mulay
Suhasini Mulay
Suhasini Mulay is an Indian actress in Bollywood and Marathi films as well as television. She won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1999, for her performance in Gulzar's film Hu Tu Tu.-Early life and education:...
(Gauri, a village belle). Sen based his film on a Bengali story by Banaphool
Banaphool
Banaphool is the pen name of the Bengali author, playwright and poet, Balāi Chānd Mukhopādhyāy .- Life:...
(Balai Chand Mukhopadhya) and is considered a landmark in modern Indian cinema.
This is a debut film for Suhasini Mulay
Suhasini Mulay
Suhasini Mulay is an Indian actress in Bollywood and Marathi films as well as television. She won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1999, for her performance in Gulzar's film Hu Tu Tu.-Early life and education:...
.
Plot
Bhuvan Shome, a widower and a dedicated civil servant - strict, uncompromising – takes a holiday which transforms him irreparably though at the same time heightening his sense of isolation.Bhuvan Shome 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 of him being described, by a 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 hunting, Bhuvan Shome is seen to take a "hunting holiday" to Gujarat. It's quite clear that his expedition is amateur. It is portrayed as an aspiration of an inept "hunter" rather than of 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 ageing 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 enamoured 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 she 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.
Awards
- National Film Award for Best FilmNational Film Award for Best FilmThe National Award for Best Feature film is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, India, and was constituted in the year 1954. This is one of the Golden Lotus Awards given among National Film Awards...
- National Film Award for Best DirectorNational Film Award for Best DirectingThe National Film Award for Best Direction winners are given below. Satyajit Ray has been awarded the maximum number of times in this category....
- Mrinal SenMrinal SenMrinal Sen is a Bengali Indian filmmaker. He was born on 14 May 1923, in the town of Faridpur, now in Bangladesh in a Hindu family. After finishing his high school there, he left home to come to Calcutta as a student and studied physics at the well-known Scottish Church College and at the... - National Film Award for Best ActorNational Film Award for Best ActorThe National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
- Utpal DuttUtpal DuttUtpal Dutt was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He was primarily an actor in Bengali Theatre, where he became a pioneering figure in Modern Indian theatre, when he founded the 'Little Theater Group' in 1947, which enacted many English, Shakespearean and Brecht plays, in a period...