Publisher's Synopsis
Collection of five films by acclaimed Indian director Satyajit Ray. 'Charulata' (1964) follows Charulata (Madhabi Mukherjee), the intelligent and childless wife of politically active publisher Bhupati (Shailen Mukherjee). Aware of his wife's ever-growing boredom due to his own absence, Bhupati asks his younger cousin Amal (Soumitra Chatterjee) to stay in their house and encourage his wife's literary ambitions. As Amal and Charulata get to know one another a relationship grows between the pair, but will either go beyond their loyalty to Bhupati and act upon it? In 'The Big City' (1963), to help with her family's financial situation, Arati (Madhabi Mukherjee) finds work as a saleswoman. Despite her husband Subrata (Anil Chatterjee)'s insecurity over this, when he loses his job, Arati becomes the sole provider for her family. However, this untraditional role reversal creates a divide between her and Subrata and leaves the household in turmoil. In 'The Hero' (1966), Aditi (Sharmili Tagore) is a pretty journalist who interviews the film star Arindam Mukherjee (Uttam Kumar) on a train trip to Delhi, and flashbacks are used to illustrate the main events in the actor's life. After she has completed the interview, Aditi tears up her notes and refuses to use the story that could change the public perception of the popular actor. In 'The Coward' (1965), successful Calcutta-based scriptwriter Amitabha Roy (Soumitra Chatterjee) is reunited with a past lover who he refused to marry years previously due to his own lack of prospects and her family's disapproval. More comfortable in his present situation, he asks her to leave her husband for a life with him in Calcutta. But will she leave the man who has provided for her all these years for someone once deemed a coward? Lastly, 'The Holy Man' (1965) follows widower Gurupada (Prasad Mukherjee) and his daughter Buchki (Gitali Roy) as they become more and more influenced by Birinchi Baba (Charuprakash Ghosh), a man who claims to be ageless and the holder of divine wisdom due to his past friendships with religious leaders Jesus Christ and the Buddha. But is Birinchi really who he says he is?
