Kabuliwala (2023 film)

Kabuliwala is a 2023 Indian Bengali-language directed by Suman Ghosh. Based on the 1892 short story "Kabuliwala" written by Rabindranath Tagore, the film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anumegha Kahali, Abir Chatterjee and Sohini Sarkar in pivotal roles.^[2] It is produced by Shree Venkatesh Films and Jio Studios and the music is composed by Indraadip Dasgupta.^[3] It was released in theatres on 22 December 2023, on the occasion of Christmas.^[4]

Kabuliwala
Theatrical Poster
Directed by	Suman Ghosh
Written by	Sreejib
Screenplay by	Suman Ghosh, Sreejib
Based on	Kabuliwala by Rabindranath Tagore
Produced by	SVF Jio Studios
Starring	Mithun Chakraborty Anumegha Kahali Abir Chatterjee Sohini Sarkar
Cinematography	Subhankar Bhar
Edited by	Sujay Datta Ray
Music by	Indradeep Dasgupta
Production companies	SVF Jio Studios
Distributed by	SVF
Release date	22 December 2023 (2023-12-22)
Running time	106 minutes
Country	India
Language	Bengali
Box office	₹3 crore ^[1]

Plot

A middle-aged Afghan man, Rahmat, leaves behind his country, daughter and home to move to the bustling city of Kolkata in the year of 1965. He forms a great friendship with a little girl, Mini, and his heart overflows with fatherly love her. The film captures the period that encapsulates the essence of heartwarming relationships and the deep significance of affection that knows no boundaries, transcending borders, religions and cultures.

Cast

• Mithun Chakraborty as Rahmat Khan^[5]
• Anumegha Kahali as Mini
• Abir Chatterjee as Aurobindo Mukherjee, Mini's father
• Sohini Sarkar as Sneho, Mini's mother
• Gulshanara Khatun as Mokkoda, the maid-servant
• Sumit Samaddar as Bhola, the man-servant
• Kanchan Mullick as Potit De

Production

Filming

Principal photography commenced on 1 August 2023^[6] and filming was completed on 19 November 2023, with official confirmation from film director Suman Ghosh.^[7] The filming was done in Kolkata and Kargil.^[8]

Marketing

On 1 August 2023, the first look of the film was released with a 38 seconds video on SVF Youtube channel.^[9][10] the first poster was released on 14 November.^[11][12] The official trailer was released on 4 December 2023 on SVF and Jio Studios Youtube channels.^[13][14]

Music

The music of the film and the background score is done by Indraadip Dasgupta. The lyrics are written by Srijato and Anirban Bhattacharya.

The first single "Khushi Ki Eid" was released on 14 December 2023.^[15] The second single "Bhaabo Jodi" was released on 29 December 2023.^[16]

Kabuliwala
Soundtrack album by Indraadip Dasgupta
Released	22 December 2023
Recorded	2023
Genre	Feature film soundtrack
Length	17:03
Language	Bengali
Label	SVF Music
External audio   Kabuliwala (Audio Jukebox) on YouTube

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Bhaabo Jodi"	Anirban Bhattacharya	Arijit Singh	4:28
2.	"Khushi Ki Eid"	Srijato	Javed Ali, Ishan Mitra	3:27
3.	"Kabul Manush"	Anirban Bhattacharya	Anirban Bhattacharya	5:30
4.	"Doriya Ei Jiboner E"	Srijato	Debayan Banerjee	3:37
Total length:				17:03

Release

The film was released on 22 December 2023 on the occasion of Christmas weekend, clashing with Pradhan, Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire and Dunki at the box office.^[17][18]

Reception

Critical response

A reviewer of OTT play wrote "It takes a lot of courage to choose a story that has strong sentimental stature in viewers’ hearts. Suman Ghosh takes up a brave challenge and comes out with flying colours. It is an out-and-out Mithun Chakraborty film and he fascinates the audience in every frame. Kabuliwala is a beautiful film that should never be missed".^[19] Poorna Banergee from The Times of India says "The props and set design, especially inside Aurobindo’s house, are reminiscent of an older Calcutta that’s rapidly becoming extinct under a concrete jungle. The cinematography is done tastefully, and the costumes are period-appropriate. Though it has a predictable end, Kabuliwala is definitely a good watch for the entire family".^[20] Saibal Chatterjee from NDTV says "Kabuliwala is a Mithun Chakraborty show but, given a script that retains the spirit of Tagore's unwaveringly inclusivist worldview, there is much more to Suman Ghosh's film than what one actor, one performance and one story bring to it. And therein lies a firm riposte to any doubt that might arise about the film's relevance today".^[21] Subhasmita Kanji from Hindustan Times wrote "Several scenes are laugh-out-loud, like Mithun Anumegha's dance or their conversation; Many such scenes will make you cry. Again, some scenes seem to be right, that's how it should be".^[22] Sayani Ghatak from Anandabazar Patrika wrote "This Rabindra-writing written more than a hundred years ago will once again float with familiar emotions, move deep into the feelings, for that purpose 'Kabuliwala' has been made again in 2023. Thanks to the director, his intention did not fail".^[23] Sushmita Dey from Ei Samay says "Abir Chatterjee as Mini's father is eye-catching as always. Bengali-neat gentleman. On the other hand, Sohini Sarkar as the mother. As it happens and what else! Judgment of life in the boundaries of religion. Be very careful with the little mini. Short characters also have specialties".^[24]

Box office

The film grossed over ₹ 1 crore at the box office in the first 5 days.^[25] Producer of the film informed the film grossed over ₹25 Lakhs on the New Year Day only. ^[26]

References

1. "Pradhan Vs Kabuliwala Collection : এক মাস পেরিয়ে এগিয়ে চলেছে প্রধানের বিজয়রথ, দেব-সৌমিতৃষার সামনে ফিকে মিঠুন ম্যাজিক".
2. "Tagore's timeless 'Kabuliwala' to hit silver screen again after six decades in Mithun-starrer Bengali film".
3. "'কাবুলিওয়ালা'".
4. . The Daily Star. 14 November 2023. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
5. "Mithun Chakraborty to portray Rahmat in Kabuliwala".
6. . The Telegraph. 8 August 2023. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
7. . Hindustan Times. 19 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
8. "Kabuliwala shooting in Kargil".
9. "The first look of Kabuliwala".
10. "First Look: Kabuliwala".
11. "Kabuliwala starring Mithun Chakraborty drops its official poster".
12. "The first poster of Bengali film Kabuliwala starring Mithun Chakraborty unveiled".
13. "'কাবুলিওয়ালা'-র ট্রেলারে কিংবদন্তি সংলাপ, গান."
14. "ফের পর্দায় আসছে রহমত -মিনির জার্নি, প্রকাশ্যে 'কাবুলিওয়ালা'-র নস্ট্যালজিয়ায় ভরা ট্রেলার".
15. "Mithun Chakraborty's 'Kabuliwala': 'Khushi Ki Eid' song out now".
16. "অরিজিতের কণ্ঠে কেল্লাফতে কাবুলিওয়ালার 'ভাব যদি'".
17. "Mithun Chakraborty plays Rabindranath T- agore's iconic character Rahmat".
18. "Kabuliwala releasing on December 22".
19. . OTT Play. 30 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
20. "Kabuliwala Movie Review : A sensitive retelling of a classic tale". The Times of India. 22 December 2023. from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
21. . NDTV. 23 December 2023. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
22. . Hindustan Times. 22 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
23. . Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). 23 December 2023. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
24. কাবুলিওয়ালা, নির্ধারণ:{3.5/5} , kabuliwala movie review starring mithun chakraborty abir chatterjee anumegha sohini sarkar , Rating:{3.5/5} : মিঠুন চক্রবর্তী,আবির চট্টোপাধ্যায়,সোহিনী সরকার,অনুমেঘা কাহালি অভিনীত [Kabuliwala, Rating:{3.5/5} , kabuliwala movie review starring mithun chakraborty abir chatterjee anumegha sohini sarkar , Rating:{3.5/5} : starring Mithun Chakraborty, Abir Chatterjee, Sohini Sarkar, Anumegha Kahali]. Ei Samay (in Bengali). 22 December 2023. from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
25. "কাবুলিওয়ালা পেরলো ১ কোটির ঘর".
26. https://twitter.com/iammony/status/1742018307547689010?t=z3BxRlvIvz4vWJxNot4VEQ&s=19

External links

• Kabuliwala at IMDb