Check Out Five Of These Hindi Films Which Are Based On Bengali Books

Bengali culture is often hailed for its rich repository of art, culture and literature whether it is detective fiction, romantic novels or short stories. The love for cinema and talking about it over cups of tea is also pursued as a hobby by many Bengalis. What is also a subject of intense debate is the on-screen portrayal of a favourite work of fiction.

Some authors have always been reluctant about their books being adapted into films and that too in another language and setting. Some writers vehemently believe the two art forms to be separate and individual in a way. However, we have seen some excellent films, which have been adaptations of books and are a great tool in learning about a culture when you cannot read the script. So, here is a list of popular Bengali fiction that has been adapted in Hindi on-screen.

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Hindi Films Based On Bengali Books

Here are five Hindi films which were based on Bengali books that one can invest your time in and will not regret:

Parineeta 

Actor Vidya Balan and Saif Ali Khan starrer film from the year 2005 is based on the book by the same name. Written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and was published by Roy MC Sarkar Bahadur & Sons in the year 1914, the book was set in that time frame and explored the issues related to class and religion. The word Parineeta means Married Woman and the book was centred around an orphan girl named Lalita and her infatuation with a man named Shekhar. The Hindi adaptation is based on a later period but revolves around a similar plot. It is directed by Pradeep Sarkar. Before this 2005 film, there it was adapted on screen by directed by Bimal Roy and the cast included Meena Kumar, Ashok Kumar, amongst others.

Detective Byomkesh Bakshi!

A famous Bengali detective, a staple most Bengalis grow up with. The sharpness of Bakshi, in solving crimes, has captivated filmmakers for generations. This infatuation towards Bakshi has resulted in multiple films with the character. Even a Hindi film with Bakshi as a character played by late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The film is set during World War 2 in the city of Calcutta during the 1940s and Bakshi's adventure in the world of crime and war, and ultimately solving it. The film, directed by Dibakar Banerjee is based on the fictional character created by  Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. He wrote 32 stories between 1932 and 1970.

Ray 

Netflix’s Anthology 'Ray' releasing today

The Netflix anthology was based on the story stories by the legendary filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray, who is the creator of the iconic Feluda series. The four stories adapted from Ray's work here are titled Forget Me Not (inspired by Bipin Chowdhury-r Smritibhrom), Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa (inspired by Barin Bhowmik-er Byaram), Bahrupiya (inspired by Bahurupi)  and Spotlight (inspired by the short story with the same name). These stories are themed around love, lust, betrayal and truth. The anthology features a stellar cast that includes Manoj Bajpayee, Gajraj Rao, Ali Fazal, Kay Kay Menon, Harshvardhan Kapoor, Rashika Menon, amongst others.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 

It is a 1999 drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, amongst others. It is based on Rashtriyashayar Jhaverchand Meghnan's play, Shetal ne Kathe and reportedly loosely adapted from the book Na Hanyate, which is a book by Maitreyi Devi. However, the film does not give credit to the book, which was written by Devi in 1974 and received Sahitya Akademi Award for it. The film is a triangle love story between Khan, Rai and Devgn's characters. Rai and Devgn are married, later he comes to know that Rai is still in love with Khan and helps them reunite.

Devdas 

This 2002 film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali it is based on the novel with the same name, written by the Bengali writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay in the year 1917. The film is about Devdas Mukherjee who is from a wealthy family and a law graduate from London. He is all set to marry his childhood friend Parvati alias Paro but his family is against it and which pushes him to become an alcoholic. In the city, he meets courtesan Chandramukhi. Like all Bhansali films, this is also filled with grandeur and amazing picturisation.