Dada Thakur (film)

Synopsis

The film is based closely on the life of the real-life Dada Thakur, and was made in his lifetime. Dada Thakur (Chhabi Biswas) starts his career with a hand-operated press, with his wife as his assistant. Later he is joined by Nalini Kanta Sarkar, an underground freedom-fighter. Dada Thakur brings out the newspaper Jangipur Sangbad. He campaigns against social evils and earns the ire of the ruling classes. He saves a girl, Lata, from the unwanted advances of Darpanarayan (Biswajit Chatterjee), scion of the local zamindar. Lata joins the ranks of freedom fighters working with Sarkar. Subsequently, a reformed Darpanarayan too becomes an ardent follower of Dada Thakur and joins the struggle for India's freedom. Dada Thakur's greatest success is when he helps an ordinary man, a petty shopkeeper, get elected as the Municipal Commissioner of Jangipur.

Cast

Production

The casting of the film was done in 1957. Biswajit, who made his debut with this film, recalls: "There was a family like atmosphere prevailing in the entire unit then. I fondly recollect one night when I was having disturbance in sleeping due to mosquito bites. We were shooting outdoors. Chhabi Biswas, like a parent figure, took care personally putting up a mosquito net and covered me with a blanket."

Reception

When released, the film enjoyed both commercial and critical success. The performance of Chhabi Biswas as Dada Thakur was much appreciated. It is said that Sarat Pandit himself praised Biswas' portrayal. Biswas' death in a road accident shortly before the film's release undoubtedly played a role in its commercial success. At the 10th National Film Awards, it won the top prize, ahead of the better known films Abhijan and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.