Chokher Bali

About the film

Chokher Bali (Bengali pronunciation: [tʃokʰer bali]; lit. 'A grain of sand in the eyes'; transl. Eyesore) is a 2003 Indian Bengali-language epic period romantic drama film co-written and directed by Rituparno Ghosh. Produced by Shrikant Mohta and Mahendra Soni under the banner of Shree Venkatesh Films, the film is based on Rabindranath Tagore's 1903 eponymous novel. It stars Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aishwarya Rai, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Raima Sen in lead roles, while Lily Chakravarty, Tina Dutta, Mousumi Saha play supporting roles, with Swastika Mukherjee in a special appearance. The film explores the extramarital affair between Binodini (Rai), a young widow, and Mahendra (Prosenjit), an old suitor of hers, the complicated friendship with Asha (Raima), Mahendra's wife, and her mutually conflicting feelings with Behari (Tota), Mahendra's childhood best friend. The film was later dubbed into Hindi and was released internationally in that language.

Upon release, Chokher Bali met with critical review and positive box office reception.

Chokher Bali won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali, National film award for best costume design, and National film award for best art direction. It was nominated for the Golden Leopard (Best Film) award at the Locarno International Film Festival in 2003. The film screened at the 34th International Film Festival of India on 19 October. It was the Official Selection at the Chicago International Film Festival in 2003 and was showcased in over 25 international festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival.

Cast and crew

Chokher Bali was directed by Rituparno Ghosh. Produced, and released in 2003.

The film features Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aishwarya Rai, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Tina Dutta in its principal cast.

Key details