Chittagong (चिट्टागोंग)

"Chittagong (चिट्टागोंग)"

Watched Hindi movie "Chittagong (चिट्टागोंग)". This movie is directed by Bedabrata Pain. Written by Bedabrata Pain and Shonali Bose. Cinematography by Eric Zimmerman. Music by Shankar-Ehsan-Loy. It stars Manoj Bajpai, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rajkumar Rao, Jaideep Ahalawat, Barry John, Delzad Hiwale, Vega Tamotia, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Alexx O'Nell & Barry John. It released in 2016 and is 1 hour 44 minutes long.

Pre-Independence undivided India. Chittagong. Local populace is suffering from British atrocities. Jhunku, a teenager, is son of an Indian barrister. Their family has cordial relations with the British Magistrate. A band of youth led by Durga Sen (Manoj Bajpai) wants to do something for Azadi. A plot is hatched. 

What triggers the plot? What is the plot? Will Jhunku side with British or freedom fighters? Will the uprising succeed?

This is the story of 1930 Chittagong uprising where more than 30 teenagers led by older Surya Sen captured the armoury of Chittagong. This story is narrated through the eyes of Jhunku (Subodh Roy), a real life hero, who was 14 at that time. 

Writers have remained true to the real story and have avoided spicing it up under the guise of artistic liberty. 

This movie is directed by a NASA scientist who resigned from NASA to make this movie. Although he is a First timer he has done a good job and his newness is not apparent. 

All the actors are known good actors. So there is hardly anything to write about individual acting. However, Vega who plays Pritilata, leaves a lasting impression. She is also one of the producers of this movie. Manoj Bajpai underclass the role too much. He appears subdued. They have found good places and scenic locations for the movie. Camera work is good. 

At the end of movie there is a video clip of real Jhunku (Subodh Roy), recorded weeks before his demise. He was the youngest to be sent to the dreaded Andaman jail for Kala Pani.

This film has won National film award for best singer (Shankar Mahadevan) and lyrics (Prasoon Joshi) in 2013.

Watch of this review interests you. 

Trivia: Another movie 'Khelein hum jee janse' was also based on the Chittagong uprising.