Mrigayaa

Sen's 1976 film 'Mrigayaa' is a classy film. Honestly, Mithun Chakraborty is the life of this film.

I mean this was the his first film and he won the National Film Award for Best Actor. Wow! His performance here, despite being his debut, leaves you stunned.

Performance Wise:: I cant help myself but to praise Mithun's performance. I've been his biggest fan, and I am proud to know that India has a talent like Mithun.

On the whole, 'Mrigayaa' is a classy watch. Mithun's performance alone, is enough to keep you gripped. Two Thumbs Up!

Review By Kamal K

Mrigaaya' featured Mithun Chakraborty as a tribal man who is known to be one of the best hunters around, even by the British rulers. But he was thrown to gallows after being found guilty of murdering the moneylender who kidnapped his wife. His trial and death later ignite a series of revolt among the tribal people. They stand their ground and confront both the British and their zamindar oppressors. Mithun single-handedly made the film a cult classic with his brilliant acting and won the National Award for Best Actor for 'Mrigayaa'. The film also won Mrinal Sen a National Award for Best Film.

In this art-movie, Mithun Chakraborty (aka Mithunda) plays the role of a tribal boy Ghinua whose job is hunting. The story is set in an era in India when brahmins did not allow lower caste boys to study in school. In one scene, when Ghinua (Mithun as a young boy of 8-10 years) hides behind a village school and tries to learn what was being taught. Suddenly a student sees him and complains to panditji(school-master). The school teacher who is a brahmin had such a hatred for low caste people that he heats up a metal wire in fire and wraps it around the little boy's body for his mistake of trying to learn. The signs of burns are revealed much later in movie when mithun unwraps his shawl.

Mrigayaa (1976) : Brief Review -

A Mrinal Sen classic to remember! Redefines the meaning of "The Hunt" in the most disturbing way. Mrigayaa is a known word for the hunt, and the film centres around a hunter. Mithun Chakraborty plays a tribal hunter named Ghinua, who is delighted to be rewarded by a British officer for his exceptional hunting skills. Being a tribal man who has always been suppressed by British officers, government officials, and higher-caste moneylenders, Ghinua is unable to understand the real meaning of the hunt and the reward. Mrinal Sen explains that meaning through Ghinua's lens, eventually opening our eyes with the question. When his wife is abducted, Ghinua kills the moneylender for trying to use her for sexual pleasure, and is unable to understand why he is held at the court as a criminal. In his mind, he has hunted the biggest animal he's ever seen, so why is he being punished? When a revolutionary was killed, the British officer offered a reward - then why is Ghinua punished for killing a bad man? He asks this question to the officer, to the court, and to the law system. Set in the 30s, the film's sinister tone makes his argument feel logical - otherwise, I would have asked for a prosecutor. Mithun Chakraborty has delivered many good performances in his career, but this one stands at the top - and it was his debut! A smashing debut, indeed. Mamata Shankar also shines in her debut, with a natural act that is truly commendable. Robert Wright, as the British officer, is convincing, and the rest of the supporting cast is impressively effective. Mohit and Arun's writing gives an artistically and socially devastating storyline, while Mrinal Sen's straightforward and unapologetic approach keeps the context and momentum intact. Definitely one of the most important films from the 70s' decade and easily the best performance and best film of Mithun Chakraborty's career. The meaning of hunt this film taught me will haunt me forever!

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.