The patriarch who built his name playing villains once played the idealist who became one.
One of the early films of Chhabi Biswas featuring him as a leading man, before he came to be associated with the dominating patriarch roles that have become iconic in Bengali cinema, the film is a tale of the love, relationships and ideals of two generations. Nutubihari is an idealist who has given up his love for Kalyani for the sake of his beliefs. He marries Bimala and becomes a lawyer, fighting for the rights of the poor against the feudal lords. Meanwhile, Kalyani comes to ask refuge after she becomes a widow and is inexplicably accepted by Bimala with a lot of warmth. As the years pass Kalyani's daughter Mamata and Nutu's oldest son Arun fall in love and wish to get married. However, the new-found fame and fortune turns his head and Nutu begins to resemble all the ideals and vices that he had always despised. On the other hand in an ironical turn of events, Arun comes to occupy the position once held by his father, highlighting the generational conflict of ideals.
Acting
Biswas before the patriarch typecast — watch the transformation.
Writing
Irony so sharp it cuts across generations.
Director
Subodh Mitra
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Chhabi Biswas would become synonymous with authoritarian fathers in Ray's films; this rare leading-man role shows the blueprint of his later tyrants.
The 1945 release captures Bengal at its political crossroads — the lawyer-idealist trope reflected real nationalist hopes already curdling into class accommodation.
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