Mem Saheb

Mem Saheb is a 1972 Bengali film directed by Pinaki Mukherjee^[5] who also acts in this film. The film was produced by Ashima Bhattacharya and production company by Pompy Films. The story was based on the novel of same name by Nimai Bhattachariya. The film's music was composed by Ashima Bhattacharya. This film won the Filmfare Awards East in 1972.^[6] It stars Uttam Kumar^[7] and Aparna Sen in the lead roles. Others such as Gita Dey, Sumitra Mukherjee, Bikash Roy, and Jahor Roy play supporting roles.

Mem Saheb
মেম সাহেব
Directed by	Pinaki Mukherjee[1]
Written by	Nimai Bhattachariya
Screenplay by	Pinaki Mukherjee
Based on	Mam Saheb by Nimai Bhattachariya
Produced by	Ashima Bhattacharya
Starring	Uttam Kumar Gita Dey Sumitra Mukherjee Bikash Roy Aparna Sen Jahor Roy [2]
Cinematography	Krishna Chakraborty
Edited by	Rabin Das
Music by	Ashima Bhattacharya
Production company	Pompy Films
Distributed by	Debali Pictures Pvt. Ltd.
Release date	1972 (1972)
Running time	122 min.[3]
Country	India[4]
Language	Bengali

Director Pinaki Mukherjee did a superb job by combining the political world and romance of that period. Aparna Sen excelled as the young, educated Professor, who falls in love with a hotshot journalist played by Kumar. While both stand for each other and dream for a happy future, this is cut short by political violence. This film, despite its romantic elements, brought the ethics of journalism to the big screen.^[8]

Cast

• Uttam Kumar as Amit
• Aparna Sen as Kajal
• Gita Dey
• Sumitra Mukherjee
• Bikash Roy
• Jahor Roy^[9]
• Lolita Chatterjee
• Dilip Mukherjee
• Pinaki Mukherjee
• Gour Shee

Production

The film was directed by Pinaki Bhusan Mukherjee and produced by Ashima Bhattachriya, who also composed the music. This producer-director duo worked with Uttam Kumar before in the cult hit Chowrangee in 1968. At first the role of Kajal Suchitra Sen was the first choice but later she was found not suitable for this role then Aparna Sen was selected instead.^[10] The indoor scenes of the film were shot in Technicians Studio and NT Studio 2 (New Theaters).^[11]

Soundtrack

Mam Saheb
Soundtrack album by Ashima Bhattachariya
Released	1972
Recorded	1971
Studio	Pompy Films
Genre	Feature Film Soundtrack
Length	0:08:27
Label	Angel Digital Private Limited
Producer	Ashima Bhattachariya
Ashima Bhattachariya chronology
Chowringhee (1968) Mam Saheb (1972) Bagh Bondi Khela (1975)

Songs

No.	Title	Playback	Length
1.	"Emon Sondhay Aakashe"	Ashima Bhattacharya	03:07
2.	"Aaj Bujhi Pakhira"	Manna Dey, Ashima Bhattacharya	02:55
3.	"Badhu Emono Badole"	Ashima Bhattacharya	02:25
Total length:			08:27

All lyrics are written by Rabindranath Tagore, Atul Prasad Sen, Miltu Ghosh; all music is composed by Rabindranath Tagore, Ashima Bhattachariya

Reception

This is one of the best films for both Uttam Kumar and Aparna Sen's career.^[12] Uttam Kumar performance became greatly acclaimed. The Times Of India wrote Uttam Kumar, playing her male counterpart, turns out to be her only inspiration. In this romantic drama, the legendary actor essayed out a hotshot journalist who enjoys great connections to several political personalities.^[13] The film became a blockbuster hit and ran to full houses for 12 consecutive weeks and ran over 100 days in theaters.^[14] The film also became highest grossing Bengali films in 1972.

Awards

Ceremony	Award	Category	Nominee	Outcome
3rd Filmfare Awards East	Filmfare Awards East	Best Film	Pinaki Mukherjee[15]	Won

References

1. "8 Tollywood actors who essayed out every facet of being a journalist". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
2. "MEMSAHEB (1972)". bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
3. "Mem Saheb 1972 Bengali film". einthusan.tv. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
4. "Mem Saheb 1972 film VCD". induna.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
5. Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Routledge. ISBN 9781135943189. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
6. "Mem Saheb". Amazon. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
7. "Remembering Uttam Kumar: Did you know these almost forgotten facts about the acting legend?". The Times of India. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
8. "Aparna Sen's 7 most memorable Tollywood performances". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
9. "Mem Saheb Review". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
10. "নিমাই ভট্টাচার্যের লেখা 'মেমসাহেব' নিয়ে সিনেমা করায় প্রথম চয়েস ছিলেন সুচিত্রা, পরে কাজ করেন অপর্ণা | TheWall". 26 June 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
11. Mem Saheb | মেমসাহেব | Bengali Romantic Movie | Full HD | Uttam Kumar, Aparna Sen, retrieved 21 November 2022
12. "Aparna Sen's 7 most memorable Tollywood performances". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
13. "Uttam Kumar in 'Memsaheb' (1972) - 8 Tollywood actors who essayed out every facet of being a journalist". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
14. "নিমাই ভট্টাচার্যের লেখা 'মেমসাহেব' নিয়ে সিনেমা করায় প্রথম চয়েস ছিলেন সুচিত্রা, পরে কাজ করেন অপর্ণা | TheWall". 26 June 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
15. "MEM SAHEB". zeebanglacinema.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.

External links

• Mem Saheb at IMDb
• Mem Saheb at Bollywood Hungama
• Mem Saheb at The Times of India