Cast
View All
Biswajeet Chatterjee
as Shankar Ray
Sandhya Roy
as Aparna/Suparna (Double Role)
Sumita Sanyal
as Sheba Mitra
Ajitesh Bandopadhyay
as Satyabhushan
Satya Bandopadhyay
as Dr. Choudhury
Chhaya Devi
as Manoda Di
Shekhar Chattopadhyay
as Station Master
Utpal Dutt
as Lawyer
Subhendu Chatterjee
as Prashanto
Debashree Roy
as Ranu (The Daughter of Shakar and Aparna)
Rabi Ghosh
as Lakkhan (The Old Spy Servant of the Family)
Monu Mukherjee
as
Shyamal Ghoshal
as
Durgadas Bandyopadhyay
as
Santi Chatterjee
as
Crew
Director
- Tarun Majumdar
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Crime/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Kuheli presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Tarun Majumdar brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1971, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Kuheli took approximately 23 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 128 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 169 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The costume department created over 473 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1971, when this film was released:
- Economic recession and oil crises were affecting global economies.
- Disco music dominated popular culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Kuheli shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Aamir, which focuses more on action than character development, Kuheli subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Bunty Aur Babli and Tears of Kali explore similar territory, Kuheli stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 13, 1971
- Runtime: 2h 8m
