Puratawn
{{Short description|2025 Indian Bengali‐language drama film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Puratawn
| image = Puratawn_theatrical_poster.jpeg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Suman Ghosh
| writer = Suman Ghosh
| producer = Rituparna Sengupta
| studio = Bhavna Aaj O Kal
| starring = Sharmila Tagore
Rituparna Sengupta
Indraneil Sengupta
Brishti Ray
| cinematography = Ravi Kiran Ayyagari
| editing = Aditya Vikram Sengupta
| music = Alokananda Dasgupta
| distributor = PVR Inox Pictures
| released = {{Film date|2025|04|11|df=y}}
| runtime = 102 minutes
| country = India
| language = Bengali
}}
Puratawn ({{Translation|The Ancient}}), also marketed as Puratawn: The Ancient is a 2025 Indian Bengali‐language psychological drama film written and directed by Suman Ghosh. Produced by Rituparna Sengupta under her banner of Bhavna Aaj O Kal,{{cite web |title=Puratawn - Movie Showtimes, Review, Songs, Trailer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-details/puratawn/movieshow/103581606.cms |access-date=29 April 2025 |website=Times of India |archive-date=16 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416025458/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/Bengali/movie-details/Puratawn/movieshow/103581606.cms |url-status=live }} the film stars Sharmila Tagore as a matriarch experiencing memory decline, alongside Rituparna as her daughter, Indraneil Sengupta, and Brishti Ray in supporting roles.
The film was announced in February 2023, marking Tagore's comeback in Bengali cinema after 14 years, in Ghosh's second collaboration with Sengupta. Principal photography commenced in November 2023 and wrapped by in January 2024, with filming taking places in Kolkata, Hooghly and Konnagar. Music of the film is composed by Alokananda Dasgupta. Ravi Kiran Ayyagari handled its cinematography, while Aditya Vikram Sengupta edited the film.
Puratawn was theatrically released on 11 April 2025, coinciding with Pohela Boishakh. It opened highly to positive reviews and critics were appraisal of Tagore and Sengupta's performance, cinematography and direction. It grossed {{INR|1.52}} crore at the box office, emerging to be the fifth highest grossing Bengali film of 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-25 |title=বক্স অফিসে ঝোড়ো ব্যাটিং, ২ কোটির গণ্ডি পার কিলবিল সোসাইটির! কী হাল পুরাতনের? |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/killbill-society-box-office-collection-day-13-srijit-mukherji-film-crossed-2-crore-31745545724672.html |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Hindustantimes Bangla |language=bn}}
Plot
Ritika, a busy professional, returns to her ancestral home for her mother’s 80th birthday only to discover Mrs. Sen suffering from memory lapses and confusion. As Ritika navigates past grievances and unspoken regrets, the narrative interweaves present‐day moments with Mrs. Sen’s fragmented recollections of youth, exploring themes of memory, loss, and familial bonds.{{cite web |last=Jha |first=Subhash K |date=2024-11-08 |title=Puratawn: Magnificent Sharmila Tagore Anchors This Delicate Tale Of Memory And Regret |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/puratawn-magnificent-sharmila-tagore-anchors-this-delicate-tale-of-memory-and-regret-article-115092899 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Times Now}}
Cast
- Sharmila Tagore as Mrs. Sen{{cite web | last=Ghosh | first=Paramita | title=Old Gold: The aura of Sharmila Tagore's Mrs Sen in Puratawn | website=The New Indian Express | date=2025-04-29 | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2025/Apr/29/old-gold-the-aura-of-sharmila-tagores-mrs-sen-in-puratawn | access-date=2025-04-30}}
- Rituparna Sengupta as Ritika
- Indraneil Sengupta as Rajib
- Ekavali Khanna as Dr. Gaurika Kapoor, the family physician
- Brishti Ray as Heera, the family’s house help
- Subhrajit Dutta as Mr. Sen, the family patriarch
Production
Puratwan marks Sharmila Tagore’s return to Bengali cinema after a 14-year hiatus, her last Bengali film being Antaheen in 2009.{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/sharmila-tagore-returns-to-bengali-cinema-after-14-years-in-suman-ghoshs-puratawn/articleshow/103302645.cms |title=Sharmila Tagore returns to Bengali cinema after 14 years in Suman Ghosh's Puratwan |website=The Times of India |date=2023-09-04 |access-date=2025-05-01 |archive-date=2023-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909002507/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/sharmila-tagore-returns-to-bengali-cinema-after-14-years-in-suman-ghoshs-puratawn/articleshow/103302645.cms |url-status=live }} The project originated from Tagore’s desire to perform in her mother tongue, Bengali, prompting Sengupta to collaborate with Ghosh to develop a script centered on a mother-daughter relationship.{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/i-wanted-to-perform-in-my-mother-tongue-sharmila-tagore-on-saying-yes-to-suman-ghoshs-puratawn/cid/2058026 |title=I wanted to perform in my mother tongue: Sharmila Tagore on saying yes to Suman Ghosh's Puratawn |website=The Telegraph India |date=2024-06-02 |access-date=2025-05-01}} Filming took place in 2023, with a significant portion shot over 14-15 days at a resort on the banks of the river Ganga in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, including locations like Konnagar.{{Cite web |url=https://theprint.in/feature/sharmila-tagore-rituparna-sengupta-to-star-in-suman-ghoshs-bengali-film-puratawn/1757480/ |title=Sharmila Tagore, Rituparna Sengupta to star in Suman Ghosh's Bengali film Puratawn |website=The Print |date=2023-09-04 |access-date=2025-05-01 |archive-date=2025-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222065742/https://theprint.in/feature/sharmila-tagore-rituparna-sengupta-to-star-in-suman-ghoshs-bengali-film-puratawn/1757480/ |url-status=live }} The production faced challenges, such as shooting in a building without lifts, requiring the cast, including the 80-year-old Tagore, to climb three storeys, which she found physically taxing.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/sharmila-tagore-says-puratwan-will-be-her-final-bengali-film-heres-why-101744531816052.html |title=Sharmila Tagore says Puratwan will be her final Bengali film, here's why |website=Hindustan Times |date=2024-11-25 |access-date=2025-05-01 |archive-date=2025-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250413124120/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/sharmila-tagore-says-puratwan-will-be-her-final-bengali-film-heres-why-101744531816052.html |url-status=live }} Despite these difficulties, Tagore described the experience as comfortable due to the ease of improvising dialogues in Bengali and the supportive environment provided by Ghosh and Sengupta.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/marquee/puratawn-is-a-tribute-to-ma-rituparna-sengupta-1503422253.html |title=Puratawn is a tribute to Ma: Rituparna Sengupta |website=The Statesman |date=2024-06-02 |access-date=2025-05-01}} The film, exploring themes of memory loss and familial bonds, was crafted with a focus on thoughtful and realistic storytelling, as per Tagore’s preference for meaningful roles.
Music
The original score was composed by Alokananda Dasgupta.
Release
The official trailer was released on YouTube on 14 March 2025. Puratawn premiered theatrically across West Bengal on 11 April 2025 and expanded nationwide on 18 April 2025.
Reception
=Critical response=
Zinia Bandyopadhyay, writing for India Today, praised Puratawn’s comeback, particularly calling Sharmila Tagore’s performance “powerful and emotional.”{{cite web |last=Bandyopadhyay |first=Zinia |title=Puratawn The Ancient Review: Sharmila Tagore, Rituparna Sengupta, Suman Ghosh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/puratawn-the-ancient-review-sharmila-tagore-rituparna-sengupta-suman-ghosh-2707696-2025-04-11 |website=India Today |date=11 April 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025 |archive-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415145432/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/puratawn-the-ancient-review-sharmila-tagore-rituparna-sengupta-suman-ghosh-2707696-2025-04-11 |url-status=live }} Poorna Banerjee, in Times of India, described the film as a “sensitive portrayal of memory and relationships,” though noting the narrative felt slow at times.{{cite web |last=Banerjee |first=Poorna |title=Puratawn Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/puratawn/movie-review/120209169.cms |website=Times of India |date=2025 |access-date=1 May 2025}} Devesh Sharma, in Filmfare, termed Tagore’s acting a “masterclass,” with Rituparna Sengupta’s role as a “strong complement.”{{cite web |last=Sharma |first=Devesh |title=Puratawn The Ancient Review: Sharmila Tagore's acting masterclass |url=https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/bollywood-movies/puratawn-the-ancient-review-sharmila-tagores-acting-masterclass-72983.html |website=Filmfare |date=2025 |access-date=1 May 2025}} Sanatnu Das, in Hindustan Times, lauded Tagore’s portrayal of a woman losing her memory as “a performance of a lifetime,” calling the film “profound and touching.”{{cite web |last=Das |first=Sanatnu |title=Puratawn movie review: Sharmila Tagore delivers the performance of a lifetime as woman losing her grip on memory |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/puratawn-movie-review-sharmila-tagore-delivers-the-performance-of-a-lifetime-as-woman-losing-her-grip-on-memory-101744863241182.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=2025 |access-date=1 May 2025}} Agnivo Niyogi, in The Telegraph India, presented Puratawn as “an ode to memories,” praising Suman Ghosh’s direction as “subtle and impactful.”{{cite web |last=Niyogi |first=Agnivo |title=Sharmila Tagore's Bengali cinema comeback Puratawn is an ode to memories |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/sharmila-tagores-bengali-cinema-comeback-puratawn-is-an-ode-to-memories/cid/2093745 |website=The Telegraph India |date=2025 |access-date=1 May 2025}} Saptarshi Roy, in Anandabazar Patrika, appreciated the chemistry between Tagore and Sengupta as “delicately portrayed,” though found the story slightly overlong.{{cite web |last=Roy |first=Saptarshi |title=Review of Sharmila Tagore and Rituparna Sengupta starrer new Bengali film Puratawn |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/review-of-sharmila-tagore-and-rituparna-sengupta-starrer-new-bengali-film-puratawn-dgtl/cid/1594751 |website=Anandabazar Patrika |date=2025 |access-date=1 May 2025}} The review in Aaj Tak Bangla called the film “emotionally rich,” hailing Tagore’s comeback as “historic for Bengali cinema.”{{cite web |title=Bengali Movie Puratawn The Ancient Review: Sharmila Tagore, Rituparna Sengupta, Suman Ghosh |url=https://bangla.aajtak.in/cinema-and-tv-serial-news/story/bengali-movie-puratawn-the-ancient-review-sharmila-tagore-rituparna-sengupta-suman-ghosh-sharmila-tagore-comeback-in-puratawn-movie-puratawn-movie-review-sum-1197951-2025-04-12 |website=Aaj Tak Bangla |date=12 April 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025 |archive-date=12 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412074128/https://bangla.aajtak.in/cinema-and-tv-serial-news/story/bengali-movie-puratawn-the-ancient-review-sharmila-tagore-rituparna-sengupta-suman-ghosh-sharmila-tagore-comeback-in-puratawn-movie-puratawn-movie-review-sum-1197951-2025-04-12 |url-status=live }} Sandipta Bhanja, in Sangbad Pratidin, described the film as “a beautiful depiction of human emotions,” with Tagore and Sengupta’s performances “outstanding in every scene.”{{cite web |last=Bhanja |first=Sandipta |title=Sharmila Tagore, Rituparna Sengupta starrer Puratawn film review |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/entertainment/film-review/sharmila-tagore-rituparna-sengupta-starrer-puratawn-film-review/ |website=Sangbad Pratidin |date=2025 |access-date=1 May 2025 |archive-date=12 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412043619/https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/entertainment/film-review/sharmila-tagore-rituparna-sengupta-starrer-puratawn-film-review/ |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|id=36557508|title=Puratawn}}