Title of film : HIRALAL
Director Name : ARUN ROY
Cast & crew :
Producer : INDRAJIT ROY
Editor : SUJOY DUTTA ROY
Cast :
Synopsis : Hiralal Sen. An ordinary Bengali name. A name that does not stir any emotions; a name that nobody remembers or recognises. Yet India; the world's biggest movie producing nation today; took it's first baby steps holding the fingers of a forgotten, done and dusted Bengali pioneer. Hiralal Sen!! 1899. Hiralal Sen; already an esteemed still photographer; bought his first moving picture camera and formed the Royal Bioscope Company along with his brother Motilal Sen. Apart from importing short reels from abroad, Hiralal also went around Calcutta shooting scenes of everyday life; prepared small reels and held shows of these for the public at the Classic Theatres and in tents at the Calcutta Maidans and the suburbs of the erstwhile Capital of British India. Between 1901 and 1904, Hiralal along with shooting scenes from various popular plays of the time also captured Amarendra Nath Dutta's 'Alibaba'(1903) in it's entirety and it stood as a popular full-length feature. The first 'Story Film' ever made in India. Hiralal also shot India's first documentary when he recorded scenes of the 1905 Bengal anti-partition movement at the Town Hall in Calcutta. This documentary was exhibited in London and other places around the world. In the 'Motion Pictures' segment of the American Library Congress this political film was held as second to none in importance till 1912. Not taking the easy path of entertaining the public by giving them high doses of Indian mythology only, Hiralal Sen was drawn towards identifying various areas of application for the moving images. Apart from making newsreels Sen also made advertising films, filmed events for rich private clients and photographed the scenery and monuments of Calcutta and its environs. He would screen them at the residences of his affluent patrons, as well as during the intervals of plays. The Ad-films he made in 1905 were not only India's but perhaps the world's first as well. One of them was that of a popular hair oil brand that is running successfully even today. It's sad and painful that instead of this pioneer's efforts and contributions being recognised, respected and acknowledged, he has been doomed to eternal oblivion by us! However, refraining from draining more time in the futile attempt of understanding the apathetic ignorance that makes us Bengalis throw away our glorious heritage; we bring to life the throbbing yet tragic journey of the dreamer and pioneer of 'Indian Films' in this elaborately scripted biopic : Hiralal Sen! A name that will be deservedly remembered with pride and dignity by every Bengali and every Indian; from now till eternity.
Director Bio : Arun Roy son of Sri Mohit Lal Roychowdhury born on 22.06.1972 completed his graduation from Scotish Church College in the year 1994. After completeting his study he entered in Television industry in the year 1997/98. After doing serials and movies he directed his first movie EGARO in the year 2011. the said movie has won many prizes from many festivals. Govt announced this movie as tax free.
Filmography :
