Jul. 02, 2013|India|107 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Bangla;Comedy;War
Description: Kangal Malsat, titled “War Cry of the Have-Nots,” is a Bengali political satire film directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay and based on the novel of the same name by Nabarun Bhattacharya. Initially, the Central Board of Film Certification denied the film’s approval in February 2013, citing concerns over historical distortion, excessive use of foul language, sexual content, and the portrayal of social movements in a negative light. However, the film was later cleared by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal in early March 2013 and was released on August 2, 2013.
The title “Kangal Malsat” translates to “War Cry of the Beggars” in Bengali. The story revolves around two fictional groups in contemporary Bengal: the Fyataru, flying human beings, and the Choktor, a black magic Bhodi sect. The leader of the Choktors declares war against the ruling political party of West Bengal, India. The Fyataru join forces with the Choktors, and together, guided by Calcutta’s ancient entities—an ageless talking crow, Dandabayash, and a half-breed Begum Johnson—they initiate a historic rebellion. Their guerrilla attacks against the government create chaos, with dancing skulls in crematoria and flying discs in the skies. The police are left bewildered, and the government is forced to propose peace.
The film uses sharp satire and fantasy to critique the societal and political issues of the city. Its anarchic narrative highlights the flaws and absurdities within the system. Despite its eventual release, the film faced significant censorship challenges. Director Suman Mukhopadhyay expressed frustration over the censorship, calling it an interference with artistic freedom and a reflection of authoritarian tendencies in the region. He referenced past incidents where creative expression was suppressed, such as the Ambikesh Mahapatra cartoon case and the labeling of a student as a Maoist for asking a question, to emphasize his concerns.
Cast director: Suman Mukhopadhyay
Cast actor: Kaushik Ganguly, Kabir Suman, Kamalika Banerjee, Shantilal Mukherjee, Biswajit Chakraborty, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sumanta Mukherjee, Sankar Debnath, Ushasie Chakraborty, Moupiya Nandy
Original name: কাঙাল মালসাট