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Ratnottama Sengupta

A National Award winner for her Writings on Cinema, Ratnottama Sengupta is a natural writer with keen understanding of Cinema and Visual Art. A Journalist since 1978, she has been with The Times of India, The Telegraph, Screen and been the Editor of the online magazine CineBengal.com. Daughter of writer Nabendu Ghosh, she writes extensively on Cinema and on Art. She has contributed to Encyclopedia Britannica on Hindi Films, and has to her credit many titles including on Plastic Arts. Ratnottama has curated ‘Little Languages Film Festival’ in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata; ‘Prosenjit: A Retrospective’, Delhi; ‘Bimal Roy Centenary’, Goa, Kolkata; ‘Bengali Cinema After Rituparno’, Delhi; and initiated the ‘Hyderabad Bengali Films Festival’. * She has been on IFFI Steering Committee; National and International Award juries; with CBFC; and on NFDC Script Committee. She scripted Mukul, a short film on Nabendu (2009). She debuted as director with And They Made Classics.

My creations

Ratnottama Sengupta remembers Ritwik Ghatak

No Cloud-capped Star, Ritwik

Ritwik Ghatak: Ratnottama Sengupta blends personal recollections, family anecdotes, and cinema history to reveal the man behind the maestro.
Nabendu Ghosh remembers Ritwik Ghatak (Silhouette)

Anger in his voice, authority in his words. Name: Ritwik

That’s how Nabendu Ghosh remembered Ritwik Ghatak. Ratnottama Sengupta translates the memoirs of Ghosh from his autobiography.
When Geetmala Ruled Hindi Cinema

When Geetmala Ruled Hindi Film Music

How Ameen Sayani’s Binaca Geetmala countdown shaped listening habits, hit songs, and a generation of radio lovers.
Nabendu Ghosh in conversation with Ameen Sayani 2

‘My heart swells with pride when I see their work’: Nabendu Ghosh in conversation with Ameen Sayani

In the 1970s Ameen Sayani spoke to Nabendu Ghosh in the radio programme Saridon Ke Saathi. Ratnottama translates this radio throwback.
Dharmendra-Jaya Bhaduri in 'Dagdar Baboo' Nabendu Ghosh film based on Maila Anchal

The Dagdar Baboo of ‘Maila Anchal’

Nabendu Ghosh’s ‘Dagdar Baboo’, based on ‘Maila Anchal’ starring Dharmendra and Jaya Bhaduri, remained unfinished. An exclusive feature with photos.
The Making of Do Bigha Zamin

The Making of Do Bigha Zamin

Nabendu Ghosh recaps in his autobiography, Eka Naukar Jatri vivid memories of the making of Do Bigha Zamin, which was to initiate a new chapter in Indian Cinema
international film festivals critique

A Carnival of Cinemas

A comprehensive look at India’s film festival landscape, examining IFFI’s evolution, the proliferation of film festivals, their impact on cinema, and debates around festival programming.
Interview with Blessy Thomas Director The Goat Life

Turning Real Migrant Horror into a Desert Saga: In Conversation with Blessy, Director of ‘The Goat Life’

Aadujeevitham/The Goat Life — a harrowing true story of a Malayali worker trapped in modern slavery in Saudi Arabia’s desert. An interview with Blessy
The Moulding of a Master Bimal Roy and Tapan Sinha (Silhouette)

The Moulding of a Master: Bimal Roy and Tapan Sinha

Ratnottama Sengupta re-views Tapan Sinha through the lens of Bimal Roy. Or is it vice versa…?
Masterclass with Shyam Benegal

‘The Entire Village was Participating in the Filmmaking’: Masterclass with Shyam Benegal

Filmmaker Shyam Benegal opens up about his films on social issues, crowd-funded projects, and the challenges of making biographical films in a Masterclass
Asit Sen The Director Who Became an Unforgettable Comedian

Asit Sen: The Director Who Became an Unforgettable Comedian

Ratnottama Sengupta remembers Asit Sen, who directed two films Parivar and Apradhi Kaun, and then became one of the most loved comedians in films
MAA Bimal Roy debut in Bombay

The Making of Maa: Bimal Roy’s Debut in Bombay

Ratnottama Sengupta translates Nabendu Ghosh as he narrates the making of Maa — the Bombay Talkies film that brought Bimal Roy and his team to Bombay
Nazir Hussain, Subhas Bose INA and Kadam Kadam

Nazir Hussain, the INA and the Long March of Kadam Kadam

Actor Nazir Hussain’s experiences with the INA were immense inspiration for his friends — and it formed the basis of Nabendu Ghosh’s last novel, Kadam Kadam
Shailendra When the Poet is a Lyricist

Shailendra: When the Poet is a Lyricist

Ratnottama Sengupta traces the journey of ‘Kaviraj’ Shailendra on the Indian screen through a few of the immortal songs he penned in his brief and brilliant life as a lyricist
How Suhas met Mr Bhuvan Shome (Ratnottama Sengupta)

How Suhas Met Mr Bhuvan Shome

Suhasini Mulay recounts the experience of becoming the leading lady of the milestone film — Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome, to Ratnottama Sengupta
Salil Chowdhury with wife Jyoti Chowdhury and daughters Aloka, Tulika and Lipika

‘Feelings, Lyrics, Orchestra — Everything was Different in Salil Chowdhury’s Songs’: Jyoti Chowdhury

Jyoti Chowdhury on Salil Chowdhury, Bimal Roy and the making of Do Bigha Zamin — a special feature by Ratnottama Sengupta