Marking fifty glorious years of the cult Bengali film Hansaraj, the cultural fraternity gathered to celebrate the milestone alongside the launch of Sada Kalo Smriti, a memoir penned by lead actor Arindam Ganguly. The book was unveiled exactly five decades after Hansaraj was originally released in Kolkata’s Uttara-Purabi-Ujjwala chain of cinema halls on 20th August, 1976. The special occasion brought together eminent personalities from Bengali cinema and culture, alongside several cast members of the classic film to commemorate its enduring legacy.

​The book was formally inaugurated by legendary actress Sabitri Chattopadhyay, whose illustrious career spans generations. Her presence made the occasion particularly significant as the gathering celebrated not only a landmark film but also the memories of personalities that have shaped the history of Bengali entertainment.

​Published by Shalidhan Prokashon, Sada Kalo Smriti offers an intimate account of the making of Hansaraj, narrated through the first-hand experiences and memories of Arindam Ganguly, who played a pivotal role in the film. Recalling the circumstances surrounding the film’s making and release, the book takes readers back to an important chapter of Bengali cinema and shares stories that have remained close to him over the past five decades.

​The memoir goes beyond Hansaraj to chronicle Arindam Ganguly‘s long and eventful career, offering glimpses into his professional journey, his encounters with legendary figures, and the relationships he developed with several celebrated personalities from the world of cinema and culture. His personal recollections provide a rare perspective on the people and experiences that influenced his artistic journey.

​A significant highlight of Sada Kalo Smriti is its collection of rare photographs, which complement the author’s memories and bring alive moments from his career and association with the film industry. These photographs, alongside his first-hand accounts, offer readers a nostalgic window into an era of Bengali cinema that continues to hold a special place in popular memory.

​“Hansaraj is not merely a film from my career; it is a very special part of my life and carries with it countless memories that have remained with me for fifty years”, said Mr. Arindam Ganguly, Actor and Author of Sada Kalo Smriti.

“Writing Sada Kalo Smriti has been an emotional journey of revisiting the making of the film, the people I met, and the experiences that shaped my career. I have been fortunate to have shared moments with several legendary personalities, and I wanted to preserve these memories through this book. As Hansaraj completes fifty years, it is deeply fulfilling to see these stories and rare photographs come together in a book and be shared with readers,” added Mr. Ganguly.

Priced at Rs 399, the book is available across bookstores and online platforms.

Priyanka Dutta