Pratidwandi

Pratidwandi (The Adversary)

A poster of Pratidwandi
Directed by Satyajit Ray
Produced by Priya Films (Nepal Dutta, Asim Dutta)
Written by Satyajit Ray
Starring Dhritiman Chatterjee
Krishna Bose
Indira Devi
Kalyan Chowdhury
Joysree Roy
Debraj Roy
Sefali
Release dates
 27 October 1970
Running time
 110 min.
Language Bengali

Pratidwandi or Pratidandi (literally Adversary, Opponent or Competitor in Bengali; known internationally as The Adversary) is a 1970 Indian Bengali drama film directed by Satyajit Ray based on the novel by Sunil Gangopadhyay. It is the first part of the Calcutta trilogy. Set during the period of the naxalite movement in Bengal, Pratidwandi tells the story of Siddharta, an educated middle-class man caught within the turmoils of social unrest. Corruption and unemployment is rampant, and Siddhartha cannot align himself with either his revolutionary activist brother, or career-oriented sister.

The film also experimented with techniques such as photo-negative flashbacks and X-ray digressions.[1]

Introduction

The historical background of the film is set in the decade of a wide range of political turmoil in India. The huge influx of refugees during the partition of India and loss of economic activity in the hinterland of Kolkata resulted in the stagnation of the economy of Kolkata. The Naxalbari movement under Charu Majumdar saw splitting in the Communist party and an uprise in Naxalite movement inspired by the Maoist doctrine. Kolkata saw the most activities of the Maoist revolutionary group who constantly preached the local students and intellectuals. The main character Siddhartha's brother is one such example.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Nick Pinkerton (April 14, 2009). "First Light: Satyajit Ray From the Apu Trilogy to the Calcutta Trilogy". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2009-07-09.

External links