In an exclusive interview given in Mumbai on July 2, director-writer Babai Sen spoke candidly about the success of Shiuli, Tollywood's approach towards emerging filmmakers, and the future of Bengali cinema.
Interview Conducted: July 2, 2026 | Mumbai: During a film industry event in Mumbai, our correspondent spoke with director and writer Babai Sen. Having worked extensively in Mumbai's television industry, he has also been associated with projects in the South Indian film industry as well as Tollywood. His latest Bengali feature film, "Shiuli," is currently enjoying a successful theatrical run and has received positive appreciation from both audiences and critics.
According to industry sources and audience feedback, Shiuli has been praised for its emotional storytelling, fresh performances by new artists, and overall cinematic presentation. Several review platforms in West Bengal have rated the film between 4 and 4.5 stars. Based on audience response and our editorial assessment, our publication also awards "Shiuli" 4.5 out of 5 stars.
While expressing his happiness over the film's success, Babai Sen also shared his disappointment regarding the present culture within the Bengali film industry.
He said, "Many people in the Bengali film industry claim to support newcomers. However, when a new director or producer releases a film, that support is rarely visible. A simple congratulatory message, a phone call, or attending a film premiere can become a tremendous source of encouragement for emerging filmmakers."
He further added that while established filmmakers often receive overwhelming support with just a simple WhatsApp invitation, the same level of encouragement is seldom extended to newcomers. According to him, this has been personally disheartening.
Despite expressing his disappointment, Babai Sen made it clear that his criticism comes from his deep love for Bengali cinema.
"My disappointment is not directed against the industry itself. It comes from my desire to see the industry become stronger. If we genuinely encourage new talent, Bengali cinema can achieve much greater heights," he said.
During the conversation, Babai Sen expressed his sincere gratitude to Padma Shri Prosenjit Chatterjee. He revealed that when Shiuli was released, Prosenjit Chatterjee publicly congratulated the film and its team on social media. According to Sen, such encouragement from a senior artist became a major source of motivation for the entire team.
Reflecting on his experience in Mumbai, Babai Sen praised the professional culture and the respect given to directors and writers in the industry. He believes that a similar spirit of mutual respect and collaboration would significantly strengthen the Bengali film industry.
Looking ahead, Babai Sen said he is keen to bring Bollywood artists and productions to West Bengal for future projects. He believes this would generate employment opportunities for local technicians, artists, and film professionals while also helping revive and strengthen the Bengali film industry.
Concluding the interview, he said,
"The South Indian film industry has reached remarkable heights through unity, planning, and mutual support. Bengali cinema can achieve the same if we place our trust in emerging talent and move forward together."
Editorial Note:
The views expressed in this report are the personal opinions of director Babai Sen, shared during the interview. The film rating mentioned in this article reflects the independent editorial assessment of our publication.
