Try GOLD - Free

Sharmila Tagore, Raakhee Draw Bengali Viewers In With Family Films

Mint Mumbai

|

June 20, 2025

West Bengal's theatrical business has received a boost lately after going back to doing what it does best: family films.

- Lata Jha

Sharmila Tagore, Raakhee Draw Bengali Viewers In With Family Films

West Bengal's theatrical business has received a boost lately after going back to doing what it does best: family films. This is while films in most other languages have put up a mixed box office show over the past few months, ranging from inconsistent (Tamil, Telugu) to disastrous (Hindi).

Even though cinemas in the state were dominated by Bollywood over the past few years, the recent success of films featuring yesteryear stars such as Sharmila Tagore (Puratawn), Raakhee Gulzar (Aamar Boss), and Moushumi Chatterjee (Aari) have helped the local industry reclaim some of its past glory. These movies emerged as hits when barely anything was working in theatres across languages, thanks to their appeal among family audiences.

MORE STORIES FROM Mint Mumbai

Mint Mumbai

Mint Mumbai

BTS comeback tour hijacked by dating rumours

Homegrown K-pop fans expect their idols to stay single—at least publicly

time to read

2 mins

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

Small regional films face streaming challenge despite rising demand

The surge in regional language content on streaming platforms hasn't really benefited small-budget films in languages other than Hindi, such as Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi and others.

time to read

2 mins

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

Mint Mumbai

IPO-bound KreditBee eyes $100-120 mn

Investment firms including Hornbill Capital and Japan's MUFG-backed Dragon Funds are evaluating a stake in lending startup KreditBee as part of a proposed $100-120 million fundraise ahead of the company's planned initial public offering, three people familiar with the matter said.

time to read

1 mins

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

PAN-INDIA FILMS: FEW HITS, MANY DUDS

Some southern films may be runaway hits in their home market but their Hindi dubs bomb at the box office

time to read

8 mins

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

Mint Mumbai

Why India’s InvITs prefer to stay private

Valuation and liquidity concerns have been keeping InviTs overwhelmingly private

time to read

3 mins

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

State Street to buy 23% in Groww MF for ₹580 cr

State Street, the world's fourth largest asset manager, has agreed to invest ₹580 crore for a 23% stake in the mutual fund unit of Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd, the parent of broker Groww.

time to read

1 min

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

Centre to enforce strict hair transplant safety standards

Only qualified medical professionals will be permitted to perform these procedures

time to read

2 mins

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

GHOST MANSION FALLACY: BUILDING PALACES WE NEVER LIVE IN

It's a familiar sight across India's hinterland-from the green pockets of Kerala and the Konkan coast to the plains of Bihar and Punjab.

time to read

3 mins

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

Mint Mumbai

How carpets became free from child labour

The campaign to certify ethically produced carpets in south Asia resulted in a drop in child labour and several benefits for the industry

time to read

4 mins

January 15, 2026

Mint Mumbai

Mint Mumbai

Lego's Smart Bricks feel a little dumb: Why not try robotics?

The toy-maker has missed a hot new tech educational opportunity

time to read

3 mins

January 15, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size