Actor Indraneil Sengupta, who plays a key role in the emotionally powerful Bengali film Puratawn, opened up about his experience being part of a film that has struck a deep chord with audiences—despite being seen as “niche” in its early days.
Directed by Suman Ghosh and produced by Rituparna Sengupta, Puratawn has gone on to achieve something rare: housefull shows for a film rooted in serious emotional storytelling.“When we first discussed the film, there was a bit of reservation between Suman and me,” Indraneil admitted. “The subject is very serious. We thought it had a nice emotional appeal and it might pull in some viewers, but we expected it to stay limited to a niche audience. But now, post-release, we are seeing packed houses. For a film like this, that is amazing.”
This unexpected response from audiences has led to a refreshing realization:“It says a lot about the audience today. We often presume people will only watch a certain kind of film, and that serious or sensitive cinema is only for a select few. But that’s not true. If it’s good cinema, people will come. Good cinema will always find its audience.”
Puratawn has already made waves in Bengal, and now it’s poised to make its mark across the country with a nationwide release on April 18. Indraneil believes this moment is critical, not just for the film’s success, but for what it represents.“Puratawn goes beyond language. It could easily be a foreign film making waves globally. This is the right time for it to go national. It’s not just a Bengali film—it’s a human story. A subject the entire Indian population can connect with.”
The film also marks the return of legendary actress Sharmila Tagore to Bengali cinema after a 14-year hiatus. Her presence, coupled with a heartfelt narrative, has added immense value to this production.“It’s an important film for me, and for Ritu as a producer. She managed to bring Sharmila Tagore back after 14 years, and that’s no small feat.”
Puratawn is fast becoming a case study in how emotionally driven, meaningful cinema can reach beyond its perceived limitations—breaking free from the "niche film" label to resonate with a wider, emotionally intelligent audience.