Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's work has inspired many cinematic titles in multiple languages over the years. Some have been able to capture the true essence of the writer's story, some have based their screenplays on Tagore's stories and given it their own spin. On the poet laureate's birth anniversary, we take a look back at some of the Hindi language versions of his works on screen.
Milan is probably the earliest Tagore adaptation made in Hindi. It is based on the story Noukadubi and starred Dilip Kumar, Mira Misra, Ranjana and Pahari Sanyal. The story revolves around a young law student who is forced into an arranged marriage though he is in love with somebody else. But a terrible boat accident changes his life.
Based on Tagore's Bengali poem Dui Bigha Jomi, Bimal Roy's classic film is considered an important film in the early parallel cinema of India, and a trend setter. The film starred Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Rai in key roles.
Perhaps one of the most adapted stories by Tagore, Kabuliwala has been made in multiple languages and in different decades. The 1961 film featured Balraj Sahni who played the role of an Afghan dry-fruit vendor who sees his daughter in a young stranger and forms a bond with her.
Satyajit Ray's iconic film was based on Tagore novel 'Nastanirh'. The film featured Madhabi Mukherjee and Soumitra Chatterjee and did rounds of several international film festivals. The film revolved around the lonely housewife Charulata, her unfulfilled desires, and her relationship with her husband's cousin.
Lekin was based loosely on Tagore's Kshudhit Pashaan and featured Dimple Kapadia and Vinod Khanna. The fuilm was helmed by Gulzar. The film narrated the story of a man, Sameer, who finds himself inclined towards a girl, Reva, whose existence is questionable.
Starring Jaya Bhaduri, Swarup Dutt and Kamini Kaushal, the film is based on the short story named Samapti (The End). Jaya played the childish Minoo, who gets tied into a marital relationship she does not have the maturity to understand or fulfill. The film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 45th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
Rituparno Ghosh's film was based on Tagore 1903 novel by the same name and featured Aishwarya Rain in the lead role of a widow called Binodini. The film was well recieved at various International Film Festivals and also won a National Award for Best Bengali Film in 2003. The film also featured Raima Sen and Prosenjit Chatterjee.