A tête-à-tête with five makers of National award-winning Bengali films

‘I want to see meaningful films in Tollywood’ It goes without saying that winning the National Award is a matter of respect, prestige and honour for the film as well as its director. But, as a director, I feel bagging a National Award doesn’t increase the longevity of a director. For that to happen, the film has to do well and touch the audience’s hearts. In the coming year, I want to see meaningful, good films in Tollywood. The audience too should be able to differentiate between a gimmick and good content.
— Kaushik Ganguly, whose Bishorjon received the National Award for best Bengali film in 2016
‘Young filmmakers should make content for the global audience’

I have been receiving this prestigious award for quite some time now and each time feels more special than the previous year. It adds an edge to my achievements. It is a matter of honour for the entire unit when a film bags the National Award. In my case, on two to three occasions, the award was announced while the film was running in the theatres. It surely helped the film do better at the box office. As I always say, young filmmakers in Tollywood should come up with content that appeals to the global audience. That will help us make a mark in the international film circuit.
— Goutam Ghose, whose Shankhachil received the National Award for best Bengali film in 2015
‘Tollywood lacks good content’

Bagging a National Award brings you to a position where at least producers show
tolerance and listen to your stories with respect. After Bakita Byaktigoto won the award, it was watched by many. That, for me, was a huge reward. It is good that the digital platform is becoming hugely popular in Tollywood. Technically, too, we are advancing. What we lack is good content. In order to survive, we need scriptwriters who can come up with hard-hitting, original story ideas.
— Pradipta Bhattacharyya, whose Bakita Byaktigoto received the National Award for best Bengali film in 2013
‘We need more out-of-the-box creative content’

We directors always try to tell our stories in the best possible way. And when you are acknowledged for that effort through an honour like the National Award, it is truly overwhelming. It acts as a validation, proving that the path you are following to unfold your stories in front of the audience is honest. I feel Tollywood should come up with more out-of-the-box creative content. If presented well, it will definitely strike a chord with the audience.
— Churni Ganguly, whose Nirbashito received the National Award for best Bengali film in 2014
‘Tollywood needs honest and constructive criticism’

It’s true that winning a National Award is very encouraging. But, at the same time, no award or recognition can offer any comfort to an alternative filmmaker like me who tries to provide out-of-the-box content to the audience. For us, every film demands the same amount of struggle that a new director has to face in the industry. I feel Tollywood needs honest and constructive criticism, so that deserving films get a platform. There is no point in fake appreciation, which is rampant in
this industry.
— Atanu Ghosh, whose Mayurakshi received the National Award for best Bengali film in 2017