Sunday Classics: Hirak Rajar Deshe
Revel in the nostalgia and fantasy of this Ray classic on Children's Day
Published 14.11.21, 12:09 AM
The house-special mangsho-bhaat for lunch, and curling up in front of the television for a siesta and a classic Bengali movie — it’s a familiar scene from every other Bengali’s childhood. And what better than iconic duo Goopy and Bagha for company to relive the Sunday siesta ritual?
The 1980 Satyajit Ray film has held a fond place in hearts from eight to 80. The second installment in the Goopy-Bagha trilogy, it stars Tapen Chatterjee and Rabi Ghosh in the lead with the legendary Utpal Dutt in the iconic role of tyrant Hirak Raja. It is also one of the best political satires of the Indian screen.
The rhyming sing-song dialogues, elements of fantasy and impeccable comic timing of its cast draw you in, but dig deeper into the plot and it's an allegorical masterpiece. There are relatable bumbling protagonists, magic shoes and vault-guarding tigers that have to be subdued with song, brain-washing machines and a rebel teacher. Whether you’re looking for an escape into fantastical adventures, or an intelligently crafted take on the social, political and economic scenario of the 1970s, Hirak Rajar Deshe will give you both. And thanks to the OTT world, you can watch it on Amazon Prime.
- Pooja Mitra
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