Birthday Special: Watch Khela by Rituparno Ghosh and other gems on ZEE5 to celebrate the maestro’s genius

Tollywood maven Rituparno Ghosh needs no introduction. The late maestro is remembered for his exemplary work in Bengali films and television. He was an ace director and a talented actor and writer, who was universally recognised. He won several accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film for Unishe April, which was only his second piece of work in this category. Rituparno Ghosh went on to win a total of 19 national awards and several other international awards for demonstrating exceptional brilliance in the industry. He was also one of the very few people with an openly queer identity, and he lent a perspective which was extremely unique, nuanced, and powerful. On his birthday on August 31, we recommend some films on ZEE5 that are a must-watch!

Watch the trailer of Khela, a film by Rituparno Ghosh, below:

Khela, starring superstar Prosenjit, Raima Sen, and Manisha Koirala, is comedy-drama revolving around a film director called Raja, who is obsessed with the idea of making the perfect film with the ideal hero. His wife Sheela (Manisha Koirala) wants to have a child, but Raja views this as a hindrance to his work. What follows is a journey of re-discovery which opens Raja’s eyes. Khela also marked actor Manisha Koirala’s foray into Bengali cinema.

Another Prosenjit starrer, Jyeshthoputro is a 2019 Bengali film directed by Kaushik Ganguly. The concept of Jyeshthoputro was originally by Rituparno Ghosh. The film also starred actors Ritwick Chakraborty, Sudiptaa Chakraborty, and Gargi Roychowdhury in the lead roles. The story is about Tollywood superstar Indrajit Gangopadhyay, who returns home for the first time in several years after receiving the news of his father’s death. The film earned rave reviews from critics and fans alike, and is one that you definitely do not want to miss!

Season’s Greetings: A Tribute to Rituparno Ghosh is a a ZEE5 Original short Hindi drama film directed by Ram Kamal Mukherjee. The story is set in Kolkata and revolves around Romita (Celina Jaitley), who one day decides to introduce her live-in-partner to her mother Suchitra (Lillette Dubey). What will be her reaction? You need to watch this film for its stellar cast, and most of all, its marvellous storyline and aesthetic, which was inspired by Rituparno Ghosh’s impeccable style. Ram Kamal Mukherjee pays homage to the icon with this evocative short film.

Which of these films will you watch first on Rituparno Ghosh’s birthday? Tell us in the comments below!

Love to cook? Try these delicious recipes from Rannaghar.

ZEE5 News: Coronavirus Update Live