17 June,2021 09:09 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
A still from the 1989 film, `Raakh` (Photo/PR)
Over three decades back, Aditya Bhattacharya, son of filmmaker Basu Bhattacharya and grandson of legendary filmmaker Bimal Roy, made his feature directorial debut with 'Raakh' with Aamir Khan. The film, starring Aamir Khan, Pankaj Kapur, Supriya Pathak and Homi Wadia, was a dystopian drama in which the star plays a young man who watches helplessly as his girlfriend is raped by a group of powerful crime lords and is overwhelmed when they get away with it. He then decides to take revenge on them one by one and spiralling down into this vortex of a vendetta he finds himself being destroyed from the inside. The masterpiece is screening currently at the Bandra Film Festival.
Director Aditya Bhattacharya said, "More than three decades later, I am quite overwhelmed by the continuing affection and respect for my first-born, 'Raakh'. It is something that I couldn't have imagined whilst shooting this as a 24-year-old." Khan and Bhattacharya had collaborated previously on a short film called 'Paranoia' in 1981.
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DOP of 'Raakh' and now a well-known director Santosh Sivan said, "Raakh is my first and favourite film."
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A still from the 1989 film, 'Raakh'
Bejoy Nambiar, who had the idea of bringing the movie back on screen and has worked closely with Aditya Bhattacharya on other projects said, "'Raakh' is a masterclass in filmmaking. It inspired a whole generation of filmmakers including me. The performances, the technical wizardry, the assured storytelling has stood the test of time and feels fresh with every viewing even now. 'Raakh' was and will always be an important chapter for avid movie buffs."
'Raakh' was received very well by all critics and audiences alike. Aamir Khan and Pankaj Kapur won Special Mention and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, along with A.Sreekar Prasad bagging Best Editing for it at the National Film awards in 1989.
Watch the film here:
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