On Rabindranath Tagore’s 84th death anniversary on August 7, Subhash K Jha recaps 10 films adapted from his beautiful stories.
Ghunghat (1960)
Based on Tagore's novel Nouka Dubi, the story has a powerful message about giving women the right to decide which way their heart goes.
Kabuliwala (1962)
Director Hemen Gupta adapted Tagore's 1892 short story about the bond between a Pathan dry-fruit seller and a little girl in Calcutta.
Most memorable for Balraj Sahni's towering performance and the Manna Dey song, Ae Mere Pyare Watan.
Charulata (1964)
Charulata, played by Madhabi Mukherjee, is among Satyajit Ray's most fascinating characters. She is everywoman and yet fiercely individualistic.
Uphaar (1971)
Jaya Bhaduri, as child bride Mrinmayee, gives a superb performance from Tagore's story Samapti.
Aparna Sen played the role in Satyajit Ray's Teen Kanya.
Geet Gaata Chal (1975)
Tagore's novel Atithee stands out for focusing on a male protagonist. Normally, Gurudev's heroes were women.
Lekin (1990)
Gulzar's ghost story -- featuring Dimple Kapadia as the ghost -- was adapted from the short story Kshudhita Pashaan.
Chokher Bali (2003)
Rituparno Ghosh's detailed, opulent, Chokher Bali ranks as high if not higher than Satyajit Ray's Ghaire Bhaire, another Tagore adaptation.
Bioscopewala (2018)
An adaptation of Kabuliwala, Bioscopewala is about the relationship between Afghan migrant Rehmat Khan (Danny Denzongpa) and little Mini (Miraya Suri).
Darbaan (2020)
Sharib Hashmi plays a caregiver in a feudal family.
Kabuliwala (2023)
This version of Tagore's popular story, directed by Suman Ghosh, stars Mithun Chakraborty in a poignant performance.