Jana Aranya

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Jana Aranya (The Middleman)
Directed by Satyajit Ray
Produced by Indus Films (Subir Guha)
Written by Satyajit Ray,based on a novel by Mani shankar Mukherjee
Starring Pradip Mukherjee,
Satya Banerjee,
Dipankar Dey,
Lily Chakravarti,
Gautam Chakravarti,
Aparna Sen,
Sudesna Das,
Utpal Dutt,
Rabi Ghosh
Release date(s) 1976
Running time 131 mins
Language Bangla
IMDb profile

Jana Aranya sometimes released in the English-speaking world as The Middleman, is a 1976 film made by Satyajit Ray, based on the novel of the same name by Mani Shankar Mukherjee.

[edit] Plot

The film portrays the hopelessness of the middle-class, educated, urban youth in modern, corrupt India. The protagonist, Somnath (Pradip Mukherjee), after making numerous unsuccessful attempts to find employment, finally lands the job of a middle-man -- someone who supplies an order in exchange for a fixed commission.

In spite of his ambition, Somnath soon finds himself involved in petty dealing. Meanwhile, his friend Sukumar, having gone through similar ordeals, becomes a taxi-driver.

One day, Somnath finds that in order to land a big order, he must appease the reluctant client by supplying a prostitute. After much hesitation and trying several brothels, Somnath finds a suitable girl. However, the girl turns out to be Sukumar's sister. At a loss, Somnath offers her money and tells her to leave, but the girl refuses, saying that she is there to earn money, not beg. Somnath delivers the girl to his client.

Somnath gets the contract, but he is not a happy man.

[edit] Awards and nominations

The film has been nominated for and won the following awards since its release:

1976 National Film Awards (India)

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Films directed by Satyajit Ray
Pather Panchali (1955) • Aparajito (1957) • Parash Pathar (1958) • Jalsaghar (1958) • The World of Apu (1959) • Devi (1960) • Teen Kanya (1961) • Rabindranath Tagore (1961) • Kanchenjungha (1962) • Abhijan (1962) • Mahanagar (1963) • Charulata (1964) • Two (1965) • Kapurush (1965) • Mahapurush (1966) • Nayak (1966) • Chiriyakhana (1967) • Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne (1969) • Aranyer Din Ratri (1970) • Pratidwandi (1971) • Seemabaddha (1971) • Sikkim (1971) • The Inner Eye (1972) • Distant Thunder (1973) • Sonar Kella (1974) • Jana Aranya (1976) • Bala (1976) • The Chess Players (1977) • Joi Baba Felunath (1978) • Hirak Rajar Deshe (1980) • Pikoor Diary (1981) • Sadgati (1981) • Ghare Baire (1984) • Sukumar Ray (1987) • Ganashatru (1989) • Shakha Proshakha (1990) • The Stranger (1991)