sugata guha

Tollywood is exploring the potential of AI in filmmaking, with the release of the world's first Bengali AI short films, 'Jeyra' and 'Chhaya'. While initial responses are mixed, the technology promises to democratize filmmaking, enabling creators to realize ambitious visions without massive budgets.

Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, known for his versatile performances bridging commercial and art-house cinema, has passed away. From his early stage beginnings to his breakout role in 'Chirodini… Tumi Je Amar', Banerjee was celebrated for his raw humanity and understated complexity. He was also a writer and host, leaving a significant artistic legacy.

What’s common between Bengali words like ‘batela’, ‘bikel’, ‘nyaka’, ‘mairi’ and ‘abhimaan’? Most of them are apparently ‘untranslatable’ when it comes to subtitling films or translating literary works.

News of the merger of PVR with INOX to create India’s largest multi-screen player has led to Kolkata’s cinema-buffs wondering what changes this move might result in.

Following the new government guidelines to prevent misleading advertising, those associated with the industry in Kolkata foresee a change in the way ad films are conceived.

sugata guha traveled from Kolkata to Mumbai for a special screening of 'Sholay' at Regal Cinema. Organized by the Film Heritage Foundation, it featured a vintage 70 mm cinemascope print. Fans cheered and sang along, celebrating the iconic 1975 film's legacy in a packed theatre, creating new memories of this classic movie experience.

Several St Xavier’s alumni have written to the college authorities, expressing their shock at how the institute, which was viewed and respected as tolerant and progressive, allegedly forced a teacher to quit over her swimsuit photo on her personal page on social media.

How does one start writing a novel? For answers, make it to ‘First Day First Show’, a session featuring debut novelists Saskya Jain, Pia Padukone, Sorabh Pant and Avik Chanda.

‘Abar Ele Mago’ (The Homecoming), as the name suggests, celebrates the return of the Mother, reveling in the gifts of peace, hope and love that she brings for her children. The song ‘Abar Ele Mago’, penned by Sugato Guha and composed by Bikram Ghosh, features some of the finest singers of this generation, Iman Chakraborty, Arnab Chakraborty, Trissha Chatterjee, Shovan Ganguly, Hriti Tikadar and Nirmalya Roy.

The 16th Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) was announced at a Park Street bookstore. The event featured Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee, who launched his book *Chhaunk*. The festival, scheduled for January 10-12, 2025, at Allen Park, will host over 120 writers, including prominent figures like Ramachandra Guha, Shobhaa De, and William Dalrymple.

Dhrubo Banerjee's upcoming film, Raghu Dakat, has ignited excitement with the release of its first song, "Joy Kali." The track blends devotion and cinematic grandeur, showcasing Dev's powerful portrayal of Raghu, a fiery devotee of Maa Kali.

Kolkata hosted its first ever Comic Con India, celebrating pop culture with a huge turnout. Simultaneously, the city is set to debut the Wench Film Festival from Feb 27, showcasing horror films led by female filmmakers. Enthusiasts hope these events will further invigorate Kolkata's vibrant art scene and attract a dedicated audience.

The Gandhi versus Ambedkar discussion that took centre-stage on Day 1 of the Times Litfest on Saturday continued on Sunday, with Kannada writer Devanuru Mahadeva agreeing with historian Ramachandra Guha’s viewpoint that India needs both leaders in its fight against casteism. However, Devanuru gave a different perspective to understanding these leaders.

Arindam Sil’s much-awaited ‘Khela Jawkhon’ is gearing up for its theatrical release on December 2 and the thriller has already upped the excitement bar among cine buffs, especially after releasing the intesen official trailer. And now, the first song from the film is out. Titled ‘Raja Rani Rajkumari’, the melodious track has been sung by Shovon Ganguly and Trisha Chatterjee.

A theatre artist faced entry denial at GD Birla Sabhagar due to wearing a lungi. This incident ignited a debate in Kolkata's cultural circles. The discussion revolves around dress codes in auditoriums. Some support casual attire like lungis. Others advocate for smart casual dress, similar to international venues. The auditorium management apologized and clarified their policy.

How open are Tollywood composers to the idea of scoring catchy numbers for political parties? TOI does a sound check

State environment minister Sailen Sarkar has asked Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh to highlight the plight of the Sunderbans after it was lashed by Aila at the Copenhagen climate summit to extract a political commitment on adaptation costs from developed countries.

Home minister P Chidambaram will review the decision to cancel the visa of American historian Peter Heehs, who wrote the controversial biography ‘The Lives of Sri Aurobindo’ in 2008.

The government is getting ready to appoint a new chancellor of Nalanda University and may even move to reconstitute its governing board after Nobel laureate Amartya Sen left in a huff a few weeks ago.

If Tollywood can be mature about handling sexual content, why is Bollywood still counting its kiss-and-tell stories?

Bengali film posters are taking babysteps at revamping themselves.

Officially ‘My Bookshelf’ was the subject of the ‘Literary Adda’ held on Sunday.

This city has, for more than two centuries now, been producing a dazzling galaxy of writers.

The sixth edition of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, 2015 (AKLF 2015), being held in association with the Times of India, intends to break out of the mould and redefine a litfest as a vibrant, exciting and fun-filled event that would find resonance among people of diverse interests and age groups

The Calcutta Architectural Legacies (CAL) took its first significant stride on Monday by launching a website that will act as a meeting ground between buildings owners keen to sell and potential buyers interested to put them into re-use. CAL is an initiative mooted by writer Amit Chaudhuri and supported by activists who are architects, conservationists and prominent city residents to preserve aesthetic buildings that dot neighbourhoods, particularly in south Kolkata.

The year grabbed the headlines for fake news, but the Indian reader's faith in fact remained undeterred with non-fiction emerging the most popular literary category in 2018. Continuing last year's trend, readers continued their love affair with non-fiction in all genres, including autobiographies, business and self-help books.