25 Feminist Bengali Movies Of All Time You Should Watch If You Haven't Already

Feminist Bengali movies: We have heard over the years that movies are a reflection of the society. The inspiration comes from the cultural and psychological framework we see around us. Now that women are increasingly stepping into the outer world, our films too are portraying women who aren't waiting for a "saviour" but are fighting their own battles.

Bengali movies have always tried to capture these strong and independent women in their stories. Interestingly, such masterpieces haven't been produced only by women. Directors like Satyajit Ray, Asit Sen and Rituporno Ghosh also have a huge role in the making of feminist Bengali movies. Ahead, we present a list of feminist Bengali movies from all time which you can watch over and over again without getting bored.

Don't forget to put these 25 feminist Bengali movies in your watchlist

1. Take One

An actor, Doel Mitra is playing the role of Sita in a film. At this time, one of her 'obscene' scenes from an international project gets leaked on the internet. She thus faces backlash from the conservative Indians. The movie tries to draw a parallel between Sita and Doel since both of whom have to go through a 'test' to prove their 'purity'. Take One also garnered praise for presenting mother-daughter relationship in the most beautiful way.

2. Crisscross

Crisscross tells the story of five women from different walks of life, each of them dealing with their own struggles. How they overcome their challenges and support each other in their difficulties is what forms the crux of the narrative.

3. Swade Ahllade

Kritika and Chaitali are two completely different women. The former is a homemaker suffering at the hands of her husband and in laws. The latter is a career woman and a single mother. Watch Swade Ahllade to see how Kritika helps Chaitali to discover her talent of cooking and enables her to turn it into her profession.

4. Brahma Janen Gopon Kommoti

Sabari is a professor of Sanskrit and a priestess. As a woman, she faces severe criticism for performing prayer ceremonies and solemnising weddings. But she doesn't lose hope and overcomes the obstacles. The film also tries to break the stigma around menstruation and convey the message that there's no harm in worshipping even on 'those five days'.

5. Parama

Parama is a homemaker and a mother of two. Her life changes when Rahul, a photographer wants to click her pictures for a magazine. Through an extra marital affair with him, she finally rediscovers herself and her desires.

6. 36 Chowrangee Lane

From normalising premarital sex to portraying single women as strong and independent, Aparna Sen's 1981 movie 36 Chowrangee Lane was much ahead of its time. It didn't present women as fragile damsels in distress but clear headed and firm.

7. The Japanese Wife

Based on Kunal Basu's novel by the same name, Aparna Sen's directorial The Japanese Wife talks of pen friends Shenamoy and Miyage falling in love through letters. It's a subtle tale of love, longing and hardships that the couple goes through during their long distance relationship.

8. Paromitar Ek Din

A close bond develops between Paromita and her mother-in-law. The thread that joins them is that both of them are mothers to differently abled children. The movie breaks the stereotype of a troubled saas-bahu relationship. It also essays Paromita's journey from being a homemaker to an earning woman.

9. Dahan

Based on Suchitra Bhattacharya's novel by the same name, Dahan is inspired from a true incident that took place in Kolkata. Romita and her husband are assaulted on the street. Jhinuk comes and rescues them. She tries to get the abusers punished by law. Watch this Rituporno Ghosh directorial to find out what happens.

10. Muktodhara

Muktodhara is the story of a dancer, Niharika who reforms a number of criminals in a correctional home through her skills. Despite all ups and downs, she manages to put up a stage show with the inmates and her deaf and mute daughter.

11. Mahanagar

Going against traditional norms, Arati, a middle-class woman takes up the job of a salesgirl in this Satyajit Ray directorial. However, Ray incorporated her work as a necessity to fight financial pressure and not as a 'revolutionary' step. Next we see what happens when her husband gets insecure of her increasing success.

12. Uttar Falguni

Uttar Falguni came in 1963 when Feminism was not a prominent concept. The story centres around a courtesan whose alcoholic, evil and estranged husband blackmails her. She ends up killing him to protect her daughter from societal stigma.

13. Alo

Alo starts living in her husband's ancestral village and becomes friends with the villagers. Not only does she educate the young girls she meets there but also tries to organise a programme to enable women to showcase their talent. It ends on a poignant note with Aalo emancipating the oppressed women but losing her own life during childbirth.

14. Durga Sohay

The film narrates the story of Durga, a woman from the Sundarbans who stops a robbery in the Basak family on the night of Dashami. She goes against all prejudices and social limitations. Durga is seen as the reflection of Goddess Durga, who fights evil and protects the good.

15. Charulata

Charulata is a lonely housewife whose workaholic husband has no time for her. With the arrival of his cousin awakens her ambitions and sexuality. The movie adeptly portrays Charu's dissatisfactory marital life and confusions of relationships.

16. Aranyer Din Ratri

This is another Satyajit Ray movie that presents progressive female characters. They do not fear their sexuality and are open to experiment.

17. Mitin Maashi

Based on Suchitra Bhattacharya's novel Hate Matro Tintey Din, Mitin Maashi is the story of Pragyaparamita Mukherjee, a private detective in her mid 30s. She prefers to use her wisdom rather than a revolver.

18. Ghare Baire

Bimla initially 'worships' her husband as that is what she is taught to do. However, her devotion falters when she is exposed to the outside world. Despite falling in love with a swadeshi leader Sandip, she returns to her husband. But this time, as a wife and not a devotee.

19. Chokher Bali

Binodini becomes a widow only a year after her marriage. She is enmeshed in a complicated web of love, forbidden passion, freedom and confinement. We get to see how Binodini tries to make sense of her identity as an educated, spirited and beautiful young woman trapped in widowhood.

20. Unishe April

It is an unusual film that diverted from the censored and distorted image of a mother. It attempts to free her from the taboos and constraints of patriarchal culture.

21. Rajkahini

The story takes place in the backdrop of the partition of India. A group of prostitutes are asked to evacuate their home to ease the process of the division. But they refuse to do so. What follows is a story of their hardships and sacrifice.

22. Tin Ekke Tin

Three women attempt to build a start-up but the bank rejects them a loan on the ground that women aren't fit for it. They then plan to rob a bank but ultimately save it from a terrorist attack. They reject a lumpsum amount the government offers them they and start their business with crowdfunding.

23. Saheb Bibi Golam

The movie is set at a time when women could have no ambitions other than being "good wives" and were puppets at the hands of their husbands. But the protagonist Pateswari does not submit everything to her fate. She fights back and becomes an inspiration for several women living an oppressed life.

24. Sweater

Tuku's parents are bent on getting her married but she receives rejection from everyone because she is not "talented enough". The movie covers her transformation from a submissive woman into a self confident one who learns knitting, rejects a marriage proposal and gets out of a toxic relationship.

25.Teen Kanya

Teen Kanya is an anthology of three short films based on Rabindranath Tagore's short stories. These are, The Postmaster, Monihara (The Lost Jewels) and Samapti (The Conclusion). Each of the movies has a female protagonist and deals with the complex psychology of young adolescent women.

Have we missed any? Tell us which we could include!