30 ‘Must Watch’ Indian movies

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By Prantik Deka| GUWAHATI | Jan 22:

One of the country's most influential film critic, Utpal Datta has compiled a list of 30 Indian films, which he takes into account as 'Must See' movies.

Datta's latest book on film appreciation – Chalachitrar Rasaswadan, sheds light on some of the most artistically made movies, and the people behind their makings.

It may be mentioned that this is the first Assamese book on the subject of film appreciation, which is an extension of film criticism. The author addresses the book not just to film students but to any enthusiasts, offering new keys as to how to recognise and value the good films.

From a carefully selected list of 100 films, some groundbreaking ones, he has included 30 Indian films along with seventy specially picked films from world cinema. This book, which aims to help readers to see movies in a whole new light, is an important guide to the students of Film Appreciation.

A little about Utpal Dutta

Utpal Datta, a film critic from Assam, bagged the Special Jury Mention for his writings on Cinema at the National Film Awards besides winning several other awards. He extensively writes on films and edits books on cinema and delivers lectures on Film Aesthetics at Universities. He has also made short films, most notably 'By Lane 2' and 'Bahubritta', both of which were included in the prestigious Indian Panorama. 'By Lane 2' also fetched him the State Award for Best Direction. He has served as a member of Jury in several National and International Film Festivals.

The following is the listof 30 Indian films :

Assamese :

1. Anirban, Dir – Bhabendra Nath Saikia

2. Dr. Bezbarua, Brajen Barua

3. Agnishnan, Bhabendra Nath Saikia

4. Kallol, Atul Bardaloi

Bangla :

5. Pather Panchali, Satyajit Ray

6. Charulata, Satyajit Ray

7. Pratidwandi, Satyajit Ray

8. Ajantrik, Rwitwik Ghatak

9. Chorus, Mrinal Sen

10. Chitrangada, Rituparno Ghosh

11. Hrid Majharey, Ranjan Ghosh

Khasi :

12. Onaatah, Pradip Kurbah

Manipuri :

13. Imagi Ningthem, Aribam Syam Sharma

Hindi :

14. Pyaasa, Guru Dutt

15. Mughal-E-Azam, K. Asif

16. Mother India, Mehboob Khan

17. Do Bigha Zamin, Bimal Roy

18. Kaagaz Ke Phool, Guru Dutt

19. Trikal, Shyam Benegal

20. Guide, Vijay Anand

21. Sholay, Ramesh Sippy

22. Anand, Hrishikesh Mukherjee

23. Satya, Ram Gopal Varma

24. Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, Chandan Arora

Malayalam :

25. Elippathayam, Adoor Gopalakrishnan

26. Piravi, Shaji N. Karun

27. Swaham, Shaji N. Karun

28. Olu, Shaji N. Karun

29. Chidambaram, G. Aravindan

Telugu :

30. Sankarabharanam, K. Viswanath