Life at home changes when a house-wife from a middle-class, conservative family in Calcutta gets a job as a saleswoman.Life at home changes when a house-wife from a middle-class, conservative family in Calcutta gets a job as a saleswoman.Life at home changes when a house-wife from a middle-class, conservative family in Calcutta gets a job as a saleswoman.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 1 nomination
Madhavi Mukherjee
- Arati Mazumder
- (as Madhabi Mukherjee)
Jaya Bachchan
- Bani
- (as Jaya Bhaduri)
Sefalika Devi
- Sarojini (Subrata's Mother)
- (as Shephalika Devi)
Haradhan Bannerjee
- Himangshu Mukherjee
- (as Haradhan Banerjee)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFifteen-year old Jaya Bhaduri's (later known as Jaya Bachchan) film debut and her only film with Satyajit Ray.
- GoofsWhen Priyogopal (Subrata's father) goes to visit his student Anupam Roychowdhury to ask for money he is shown having a conversation with Anupam in his office. When he is explaining his circumstance the camera shows him only sitting on a chair with his walking stick. In the very next scene when all the three characters are shown (third one being Anupam's wife ) the top of his walking stick has changed direction. The round bit on top was towards the right before and is turned to the left in the very next scene.
- Quotes
Arati: You wouldn't recognize me on the job.
Subrata Mazumdar: What about at home? Would I recognize you at home?
Arati: You don't recognize me? Tell me honestly.
[Subrata shakes his head no]
Arati: Why not?
Subrata Mazumdar: It all feels a bit unfamiliar. It feels a bit...
Arati: What about this?
[points at her cheek]
Arati: You don't recognize my mole? I'm still the same housewife.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Creative Artists of India: Satyajit Ray (1964)
Featured review
A Classic Gem It Is
Through 'Mahanagar' the great Satyajit Ray tells a story of an ordinary traditional family living in the modern big city (hence the title). However, the breadwinner of the family does not earn enough money to support the whole family. The wife decides to support him by working herself. Fortunately she finds a job and befriends a modern Anglo-Indian co-worker who does influence her by applying lip-stick and giving her a pair of sunglasses. The father of the family is a retired teacher and he does not accept the fact that his daughter-in-law is working. Gradually, the rest of the family disapprove her working. The retired teacher visits his former student and 'asks' for financial help.
Through this wonderful family drama, Ray tells us a story of the clash between modern and traditional values in a middle-class family struggling to make a living in the big city. Furthermore, Ray examines the 'urban' relationships as is reflected between the employer and employee, the husband and wife, the co-workers, the working mother and her child and so on. It is no surprise that Ray is THE most accomplished director of Indian cinema. This film, like pretty much everything else he did, only reminds us why.
The performances are top-notch. Again, this is no surprise as Ray manages to extract the best from his actors. Madhabi Mukherjee is breathtaking as we see her transform from a naive housewife, to a determined and excited employee to a strong courageous woman who stands up for her friend. Anil Chatterjee is excellent as the struggling husband who tries to make ends meet, silently accepts his wife's working but secretly resenting it. Vicky Redwood adds freshness with a strong presence and a likable performance. Haradhan Bannerjee is very good as the prejudiced but sympathetic boss. Jaya Bhadhuri delivers a very natural performance. The rest of the cast are all just as competent.
The ending isn't the traditional happy ending one witnesses in the numerous Indian films but it's one of optimism and hope that beautifully 'seals' the film. 'Mahanagar' is a fantastic example of the best of Indian cinema. A classic gem it is.
Through this wonderful family drama, Ray tells us a story of the clash between modern and traditional values in a middle-class family struggling to make a living in the big city. Furthermore, Ray examines the 'urban' relationships as is reflected between the employer and employee, the husband and wife, the co-workers, the working mother and her child and so on. It is no surprise that Ray is THE most accomplished director of Indian cinema. This film, like pretty much everything else he did, only reminds us why.
The performances are top-notch. Again, this is no surprise as Ray manages to extract the best from his actors. Madhabi Mukherjee is breathtaking as we see her transform from a naive housewife, to a determined and excited employee to a strong courageous woman who stands up for her friend. Anil Chatterjee is excellent as the struggling husband who tries to make ends meet, silently accepts his wife's working but secretly resenting it. Vicky Redwood adds freshness with a strong presence and a likable performance. Haradhan Bannerjee is very good as the prejudiced but sympathetic boss. Jaya Bhadhuri delivers a very natural performance. The rest of the cast are all just as competent.
The ending isn't the traditional happy ending one witnesses in the numerous Indian films but it's one of optimism and hope that beautifully 'seals' the film. 'Mahanagar' is a fantastic example of the best of Indian cinema. A classic gem it is.
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- Chrysanthepop
- Mar 5, 2008
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Big City: Mahanagar
- Filming locations
- RN Mukherjee Rd, Calcutta, West Bengal, India(closing shot: view of the city)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours 2 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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