Centenary year tribute: International film festivals to pay tribute to Mrinal Sen's legacy

Legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen would have turned 100 this year. To commemorate his birth centenary year, two tribute films will be screened at various international film festivals of India. Anjan Dutt’s Chaalchitra Ekhon has been selected for Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) while Srijit Mukherji’s Padatik is the official selection for International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

Film enthusiasts in Kolkata will be able to watch Dutt’s movie at KIFF. The festival will take place at Kolkata’s Nadan between 5th and 12th December. Chaalchitra Ekhon will compete for the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Film in the International competition: Innovation in moving image segment. He and his son had financed the film. According to sources, this is the only Bengali feature film that has been selected in the international competition.

Simultaneously, Srijit Mukherji's Padatik is the official selection at the 28th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). This film was screened as a part of the out-of-competition Indian Cinema Now segment. Starring Chanchal Chowdhury, Padatik was the closing film at this year's London Indian Film Festival, creating anticipation for its screening at IFFK. Both Mukherji and Chowdhury attended the London screening, adding to the film's significance in the realm of Indian cinema. The movie reflects Sen’s journey through India's Independence era to 1950s Calcutta, exploring the struggles and aspirations of a young idealist immersed in the world of cinema.