Birmingham Indian Film Festival: Mahanagar

Birmingham Indian Film Festival and Sampad present Mahanagar, directed by Satyajit Ray. 

The Big City, the great Satyajit Ray’s first portrayal of contemporary life in his native Kolkata, follows the personal triumphs and frustrations of Arati (Madhabi Mukherjee), who decides, despite the initial protests of her bank-clerk husband, to take a job to help support their family.

With remarkable sensitivity and attention to the details of everyday working-class life, Ray builds a powerful human drama that is at once a hopeful morality tale and a commentary on the identity of the modern Indian woman.

Director: Satyajit Ray

Starring: Madhabi Mukherjee, Anil Chatterjee, Vicky Redwood and featuring Jaya Bhaduri in her debut film

Run time: 131 mins

Recommended Certificate: PG

Language: Bengali with English subtitles

Year: 1963

Country: India

Presented as part of Birmingham Indian Film Festival‘s programme for Autumn 2025.