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Bondhu: My Father, My Friend

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A behind-the-scenes look at the life of filmmaker Mrinal Sen through the eyes of his son Kunal, who grew up immersed in the world of Indian cinema.

“No one remembers when and why I started calling my father Bondhu. It was a strange way to address a father, as the word means ‘friend’ in Bengali. . . . As I got older, I became very self-conscious about such an odd name . . . and yet I cannot explain why I could not switch to the more acceptable Baba or something similar.”

Just as Kunal Sen, son of actor Gita Sen and filmmaker Mrinal Sen, was approaching adolescence, his father’s cinematic celebrity was reaching new heights. In this memoir, Kunal reflects on growing up in a middle-class household in South Calcutta, where his father’s Marxist beliefs and unrelenting urge “to be challenged and contradicted” often collided with the practical challenges of making a living. Through it all, what emerges is a picture of a family’s unyielding commitment to the craft of cinema, the risks each of its members took, and their endearing sense of humor. Celebrating Mrinal Sen’s birth centenary in 2023, Bondhu takes us on an intimate journey of a son attempting to reconcile his father’s public and private selves.

198 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2023

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About the author

Kunal Sen

32 books66 followers
I grew up in Calcutta, India -- my father a film director, my mother an actress. Our living room had a constant flow of artists of all colors. In this background of arts and artists, my main passion drifted towards science and technology.

After completing my graduate studies in Physics, I got interested in Computer Science and went back to graduate school and then moved to Chicago to obtain a Ph.D degree in Artificial Intelligence. For the next twenty years I have been involved with various aspects of digital technology – designing electronic medical systems, writing technical books, and running the technology group at Encyclopædia Britannica since 1999. During all this time I continued to draw and paint, though very sporadically.

In 2011, during a trip back to India, I decided to take up art more seriously. I have been reading and thinking a lot about how, in the recent years, science, philosophy, and art are coming together. I wanted to express my understanding of these fundamental changes through my art. This time I did not want to restrict myself to just painting, but rather take advantage of my training in electronic technology, my programming skills, my understanding of the digital world, and my painting skills to tell the complex story more effectively.

I am fortunate to have a privileged seat while watching many profound and spectacular shifts in human culture. I can enjoy an insider's view of the scientific and technological changes and have the ability to capture the essence of it through art. However, lately, most of my work has become more personal, dealing with the universality of human existence. The result is a growing body of work that I have created since July of 2011.

In 2022 I started writing my first non-technical book, "Bondhu". It is about my filmmaker father. The book was published during his centenary celebrations in 2023. It is published by Seagull Books and internationally distributed by the University of Chicago Press.

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Shalini.
434 reviews
January 6, 2024
Mrinal Sen to me brings to mind black and white films on Doordarshan in the Sunday afternoons of the late 80s, and later in my junior doctor days when a Bengali friend would invite me for a Saturday adda that would invariably involve watching a film by Sen, Ray or Ghatak. Nostalgia came flooding back with Srijit Mukherji’s Padatik at a recent film festival and I continue the theme with this lovely biography of his father by Kunal Sen. It is a delightful read, and has piqued my interest in watching and rewatching the masterpieces.
Profile Image for Saswata Guha.
67 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2024
Book: Bondhu
Author: Kunal Sen
Publisher: Seagull Books
Published: 2023
Genre: Non Fiction-Memoir
ISBN: 9781803093178
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Mrinal Sen was a pioneer of the Parallel Cinema movement in India, which sought to create a more realistic and socially relevant alternative to the mainstream Bollywood fare. His works frequently explored themes of social injustice, class struggle, and the human condition, reflecting his Marxist beliefs and deep empathy for the marginalized.

Kunal Sen aptly names his first book "Bondhu," a Bengali word meaning "friend." This is the affectionate term Kunal used to address his father, the renowned filmmaker Mrinal Sen. But Mrinal Sen was not only a father; he was a mentor, an inspiration, and a guiding light. His profound influence extended beyond their familial bond, shaping Kunal's understanding of art, cinema, and the world at large.

As a mentor, Mrinal Sen instilled in Kunal a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling and the importance of social consciousness in art. His films, known for their bold narrative techniques and critical examination of social issues, served as a masterclass in the craft and purpose of cinema. This relationship was not just one of father and son but of an artist guiding another, nurturing a shared vision of using cinema as a medium for change.

Mrinal Sen's life and work were a testament to his commitment to social justice and artistic integrity. He challenged the status quo through his films, addressing themes like poverty, class struggle, and human resilience with sensitivity and depth. His legacy is not just in his filmography but in the values he imparted to those around him, including Kunal.

In "Bondhu," Kunal Sen likely delves into these multifaceted aspects of his relationship with his father, exploring how Mrinal Sen's legacy influenced his own life and creative pursuits. The book is a tribute to the many roles Mrinal Sen played—father, friend, mentor, and visionary filmmaker—each contributing to the rich tapestry of their shared experiences​.

Written in an unpretentious style, "Bondhu" is a reflective book on the life of the legendary director Mrinal Sen. It explores the people and events that had a significant influence on this master filmmaker. This isn't a conventional biography, but rather an insightful look filled with interesting stories interwoven from the director’s life and family. The book offers a glimpse into the film industry and the real man behind the legend.

Kunal Sen provides a candid narration that balances the strengths and weaknesses of his father, offering readers a comprehensive view of a man who created some of the most hard-hitting films in Indian cinema. The frankness in the storytelling reveals both the public figure and the private individual, giving an intimate portrayal of Mrinal Sen's journey and his enduring impact on cinema.

The author briefly discusses Mrinal Sen's films but focuses more on capturing the essence of the man—his humanity, political views, and the personal struggles, accolades, and disappointments that accompanied him throughout his life. The book reveals fascinating and revelatory tales, painting a vivid picture of the real Mrinal Sen, beyond his public persona as a celebrated filmmaker.

Kunal Sen in this book painted a true portrayal of his father, Mrinal Sen, and not view him through the rose-tinted lens of a fan. Having observed many highly successful individuals up close, Kunal noticed that a common trait among them is their self-focused personalities. He believes this focus and conviction are essential for achieving great success. Without them, it is difficult to accomplish what they have.

This aspect of Mrinal Sen's personality did not affect his relationships with his peers. Each lived in their own bubble, and at some level, they understood and respected each other’s dedication. Mrinal's interactions with his contemporaries were marked by a mutual recognition of their unique journeys and challenges, even as they pursued their individual paths in the world of cinema.

"Bondhu" by Kunal Sen, a heartfelt memoir dedicated to his father, the legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen, is undoubtedly deserving of five stars and is a must-read for not only cinema enthusiasts but for all. The book transcends the mere recounting of Mrinal Sen's illustrious career; it delves deep into the intricate layers of their father-son relationship, offering profound insights into the personal struggles, triumphs, and moments of vulnerability that shaped both their lives. Through Kunal's poignant narrative, readers are not only exposed to the genius of Mrinal Sen, but also to the human behind the legend – a man driven by passion, ideals, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. "Bondhu" celebrates the essence of familial bonds, artistic pursuit, and the timeless power of storytelling. Its rich tapestry of emotions, coupled with vivid anecdotes and candid reflections, leaves an indelible impact on the reader, prompting introspection and appreciation for the complexities of life and art. In essence, "Bondhu" is a literary gem that resonates universally, offering a poignant reminder of the enduring influence of love, legacy, and the pursuit of one's dreams.

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Profile Image for Nandini.
21 reviews5 followers
November 2, 2023
An intimate and touching account of a celebrity father by a not so ordinary son.
Profile Image for Selva.
369 reviews60 followers
July 14, 2025
This is a memoir by Kunal Sen, son of Mrinal Sen, mostly about his relationship with his father and about the kind of personality his father was with a bit more covering some other aspects. Mrinal sen has made close to 30 films and I have seen just 4 of them + Chaalchitra Ekhon - the one directed by actor Anjun Dutt about his relationship with Mrinal Sen. The reason I am mentioning this is bcoz Chaalchitra Ekhon gives you a nice idea of the kind of personality that Mrinal Sen was and gives you a figure to keep in mind while reading this. Any additional viewing of Mrinal Sen's films is just a bonus.
It is very well written and I couldn't find any fault with this. So if you have read my last paragraph and are interested in reading it, it wouldn't disappoint. It gave me some life lessons and takeaways too.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Profile Image for Su_ghosh.
15 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2023
It's a pleasant surprise when you receive an unusual and coveted gift from your spouse. I call this unusual because these days no one gifts another a book during occasions like birthdays and even otherwise which was quite in prevalence around three decades back. Yes, the unusual gift that came my way recently was a book titled 'Bondhu' written by Dr. Kunal Sen on his dad, the eminent Indian filmmaker Mrinal Sen. If I remember correctly, this is only the second book my wife has purchased for me in these two decades, the first one being Paul Coelho's The Alchemist.

This is the first book written by KS. A debutante author is generally a good read by a reader far from voracious in devouring books. Written in an unpretentious style the book is on the life of the legendary director, the people and the events that have had an overarching influence on the master filmmaker MS. This isn't a biography though but a rather insightful look with interesting stories interweaved from the life of the director and his family that provides a peep into the film industry as well as the real man behind the legend. There's a certain frankness in the narration that balances the strengths and the weaknesses of the doyen of Indian cinema giving the reader a composite view of the man who has given us arguably the most hard-hitting films Indian cinema has ever seen till date.

The author briefly discusses the films of MS and focuses more on bringing out the essence of the man, his humanity and his political views, the struggles accolades and disappointments that never really left him all through his life. Some of the tales narrated are really fascinating and revelatory. The event leading the author to christen his father as 'bondhu' (a friend in Bengali), the deep division in the Bengali film industry in the seventies on political lines, and the story of the friend of the cinematographer Sailaja Chatterjee who was reduced to driving a cab in Calcutta after participating in the freedom struggle and had a huge booty in his custody after looting the British yet kept at bay any desire to make its use despite a life of penury. The reason why the relationship with the musical maestro the legendary Ravi Shankar probably rankled makes for interesting reading. The faulty Hindi usage of the director (the Bengali 'ghoom' I.e., sleep being used for the Hindi 'ghoomney' I.e, to go out) leading to a situational confusion manages to evoke laughter.

The chapter on 'The Crew' where the author focuses on the well-known and the lesser known technicians and supporting crew members is a fine tribute to those who work behind the camera. The depiction of how a welcome trait like perfection can often become a disadvantage for a cinematographer of the caliber of the famous Subrata Mitra is brilliant.

What I found wanting in the book was the absence of any discussion/mention on the documentaries made by MS. How did Mrinal Sen feel when he received some of the prestigious honor that came his way? What kind of preservation and restoration work can be taken to salvage his works, already in a state of neglect?These are minor aspects that seem to have been overlooked in a 188-page book that delights the reader with its humor and the many essentially human stories associated with the life of an uncompromising director.

Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Profile Image for ba.
172 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2025
This book about the acclaimed Bengali film director Mrinal Sen was written by his son Kunal Sen.

I suspect the audience for this book has a love for or a knowledge of Mrinal Sen's work. I, on the other hand, am primarily an "internet friend" of the author (although I have had the pleasure of meeting him in real life a number of occasions). I have seen two of of the elder Mr. Sen's films, Bhuvan Shome and Ek Din Pratidin, and read his book My Chaplin. This is to say that I came to this book through the author, with very little context about the subject beyond the fact that he was a pioneer in an underground cinema movement in India and is very beloved.

Technically, I thought the book was very well written—conversational, not excessively 'artsy', but still containing a level of art and introspection rare for an author's first work. I read it in the course of a couple days, and was reluctant to put it down. I was sorry to see a few minor proofreading errors—in this era of self-published books, one of the advantages of having an actual professional publisher is that the book should be immaculate in that regard.

When I read a book whose author I am personally acquainted with, I do so with some sense of dread. I worry that it won't be a "real" book, or that I won't like it. Normally, I read such books in secret, only mentioning it later if my misgivings turn out to be unfounded. In the case of this book, I took no such precaution, as I have a great respect for the author's intellectual prowess and for his skill as a visual artist. I am happy to report that the gamble paid off. I highly recommend this book.

To me, the book read like a story of the author's life, with anecdotes of his father's life and personality illustrating his growth. I loved learning about the author's father, mother, and cast of rotating associates, but I felt like I was learning more about Kunal Sen than Mrinal Sen. To be clear, I mean that as a good thing. However, I assume the more typical reader would not share this view, as they would already be invested in the Father's story. I wonder what the reaction would be from a reader who acquainted with neither gentleman. I suspect regardless they would enjoy this work.

Towards the end of book, the author sums up the elder Mr. Sen's body of work, emphasizing that with each breakthrough in form and structure, he became motivated to reinvent the language of Indian cinema again, rather than resting on his laurels. I was reminded of Jeff Beck, who did one record perfecting the use of a "talk-box" effect, only to never use the method again, at other times exploring jazz fusion, psychedelic blues rock, and other innovations in guitar playing, only to leave each behind to look for a new language with which to connect to his audience.

Beyond any theme or message here (for me there was, but I'll leave that to you to decide when you read it) there's a lot of very real stories, well-told here. And I guess one could sum up the life and films of Mrinal Sen the same way.
2 reviews
March 8, 2024
Just finished reading this amazing book, by a son about his illustrious father. Written objectively and sensitively , in a way the book talks about the making of Mrinal Sen, warts and all. It talks about his relationships , about the life he led , the mutual effect of his surroundings and thus the resultant impact on his films.There is a final chapter on his legacy, as assessed by his son, which I found extremely well written.
Recommended reading to all 👍
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