Classic Case
If people didn't know better, they'd dismiss filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh as a flash in the can. In 1996 that's what they thought when Ghosh turned out in a flashy black kurta and a bright red cap to receive a National Award from the President for his first film Unishe April. Now, after three National Awards in a row (Dahan, 1997 and Asukh, 1999) Ghosh is called a spontaneous, mature filmmaker.

In cash-strapped, script-starved "Tollywood", Ghosh has the buzz. While Bengal's film industry is awash with family weepies, his films talk of old-world values and explore relationships. Ghosh-an admirer of Satyajit Ray-has bypassed left-leaning offerings and sidestepped kitsch. Critics don't pan his films and ordinary viewers come back for more.

On the other hand Ghosh is called an over-sensitive, almost effete filmmaker who is boringly partial to drawing-room dramas. But he doesn't care. Director Mrinal Sen backs him up: "Rituparno is a very intelligent filmmaker, both in terms of theme and technology." He also heralds the comeback of the classical Bengali film.