We have seen critically acclaimed films like ‘Egaro’ and ‘Cholai’ from director
Arun Roy earlier. Now, he is back with a biopic based on the life and contributions of
Hiralal Sen
to Indian Cinema. Despite so many good things breathing new life to Indian Cinema, Hiralal’s contribution hasn’t gained that much recognition over the years. How many of us know he was the first Indian filmmaker to make a full-length feature film ‘Alibaba o Challish Chor’ back in 1904. Sadly, a fire in 1917 destroyed almost every work of Hiralal Sen.
Titled ‘Hiralal’, the biopic sees
Saswata Chatterjee in the titular role. The film has already been selected in the Indian Language Competition section at the 24
th Kolkata International Film Festival
starting from November 10. While elaborating on his film’s plot, the director shared some rare information about the man who shot India’s first documentary.
“It’s really sad that only a few people know Hiralal Sen documented scenes of the tragic 1905 Bengal anti-partition movement at the Calcutta Town Hall. This documentary was later screened in London and some other countries. The political film also enjoyed greater importance till 1912 at the American Library Congress’ Motion Pictures segment,” revealed the director.
Hiralal Sen was also a pioneer of ad films in India and Arun Roy believes this biopic will be a tribute to the almost forgotten Bengalee film personality. Apart from Saswata,
Kharaj Mukherjee essays the legendary figure Girishchandra in this film. Popular actor
Sankar Chakraborty
plays a key role as well.