Kolkata, Sep 15 (IANS) Bengali filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh, who was Wednesday declared the best director for ‘Abohoman’ at the 57th National Film Awards, is happy but is in no mood to celebrate as he is mourning his father’s demise.
‘His father died less than a month back. Rituparno is both happy (at having won the coveted award) and upset. But he is more upset because his father was deeply involved with ‘Abohoman’. He was constantly encouraging Rituparno. So he is keeping to himself,’ a spokesman at his office-cum-residence told IANS.
This was Rituparno’s second national award for best director, the first one having come nine years back for ‘Utsab’. Besides, ‘Unishe April’ got the national award in the best feature film category.
Produced by Reliance Big Pictures, ‘Abohoman’ also won best actress award for Ananya Chatterjee and best editing for Arghyakamal Mitra. It was declared the best Bengali film.
‘Abohoman’ explores the nuances of relationships through married film director Aniket who falls in love with actress Shikha, as young as his son.
Shikha bears an uncanny resemblance to Deepti, Aniket’s wife as she was in her younger days. And thus begin the trials and tribulations of what was till then a picture perfect family with a father, mother and son.
Ananya, who got the best actress award for his portrayal of Shikha in the film, gave credit to Ghosh for her success. ‘It was a totally great journey under him. Every minute I was learning. I learnt, I observed him and I learnt more,’ she said.
‘Working with him was a great experience, and gave me a great feeling. He is such a perfectionist that no detail escapes his eyes. His detailing was overwhelming.’
Mitra also said he owed his success to Ghosh. ‘Working with him was an excellent experience. He is not only my director but also a great friend. Working with him gives you so much joy.
‘He contributed greatly to my success as en editor in the film. He has a unique way to get things done. We were constantly sharing our experiences and this raised the level of work,’ said Mitra.
Dipankar De, who played Aniket, said: ‘I am mentally very satisfied and this happens with few Bengali commercial films nowadays.’
