The name Rituparno Ghosh still resonates deeply within the world of Indian cinema. A master storyteller and director, his films captured the fragile human relationships, blending emotions, gender fluidity, and social taboos. He didn’t just direct films; he inspired generations. His legacy continues to live through those who found in him not just a filmmaker, but a mentor and pathfinder. Carrying forward that spirit, N.G.Sarani Ritu Rangam organised the eighth edition of the Ritu Rangam International Film Festival at Vidyasagar Mancha, Barasat.
Founded in 2015 by a then-21-year-old Rahul Biswas, Ritu Rangam began as a platform of creativity, encompassing short films, plays, recitations, and audio dramas. In 2018, the institute took a step forward by organising its first film festival, dedicated exclusively to short and independent cinema in Ghosh’s memory. Speaking about its inception, Rahul Biswas, Founder and Festival Director, said, “The films made by Rituparno Ghosh inspired me to make my first film. But when I started making short films, I realised there was no platform to showcase such work, particularly in Barasat. That is why I started this festival.” He further added, “At first, the participation was limited to Kolkata, but today directors from Bangalore, Assam, Odisha, and other states are coming here.”
Despite financial constraints, the festival has managed to draw filmmakers and audiences year after year. “As this festival is dedicated to Rituparno Ghosh, for that reason, though we have a limited budget, but due to the name of Ritu da, people are interested in contributing here,” Biswas claimed.
This year, the event expanded to three days from its usual two. The focus state this year was Assam with 14 films from the region. Apart from that, the festival featured 14 documentaries and over 50 curated short films in total. Alongside screenings, a special film magazine, ‘Kajari’, was unveiled. The presence of dignitaries such as Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, MP of Barasat, and film personalities like Arpita Ghosh, Ashoke Vishwanathan, Sumanta Mukherjee, and Soma Chakraborty added charm to the event.
Jury Chairperson, actor Sreelekha Mukherjee, was deeply moved by the range of films showcased. “This year, I noticed that South Indian or Marathi films are way ahead of Bengali films. The subjects they have chosen, the way they have executed them, will remain in my heart forever. Even the technical side, including editing, sound, and camera work, was beautifully done. It is really important that regional films are coming to the limelight with this kind of festival. Young artists who don’t have proper financial backing also get a platform here,” she noted.
‘Antar’ directed by Ganesh Sivaji Shelar, was honoured as the Best Short Fiction Film. The award for Best Director went to Karthikeyan PV for ‘Bisibelebath’. In the acting categories, Best Actor (Male) was awarded to Kunal Pattanayak for ‘A Tale of Two Mother’, while Best Actor (Female) was shared by Manasi Sinha for ‘Sudhu Mone Rekho’ and Mayurakshi Sen for ‘Ayesha’. In the documentary section, the Best Documentary Film prize was won by ‘Harinarayana’, directed by Utpal Datta.
Talking to The Statesman, Utpal Datta, National Award-winning Film Critic and filmmaker, praised the event. “The most attractive part of the Ritu Rangam Film Festival is that it has been started by such a young person in the memory of such a celebrated director. He doesn’t have any personal relation with Rituparno Ghosh. He just loves cinema, loves Rituparno, and this festival is the result of that love and respect. Here, there is no limit, only love for cinema. These guys have been organising a film festival on their own for 8 years now. It really moved me.”
The festival was less about prestige and more about passion. It provided a platform where young filmmakers were able to see their work on screen for the first time. Rahul’s vision is simple: “Whenever we create an art form, if it doesn’t reach people, then its value cannot be evaluated. Through such events, audiences discover the brilliance of short films and documentaries. It is Ritu da’s blessings that the festival is still alive. In the future, I hope to organise it in a much grander way.”