A chronicle of saviors who rose amid chaos to wipe away the stains of inequality.
A saga of heroes who fought to free their motherland from the shackles of oppression—seeking not just vengeance but justice. Naturally, such battles were written in blood.
The backdrop is Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s legendary novel “Devi Chowdhurani”—a story that goes far beyond folklore and lives as a documented historical reality. Colonial records of the East India Company referred to her as the “Bandit Queen”, the female warrior who, alongside Bhavani Pathak, waged an extraordinary fight for justice. This forgotten chapter of Bengal’s history now unfolds vividly on the big screen.And the very first frame, it’s clear that this cinematic retelling is rich with contemporary relevance and deserves every bit of admiration.
Women empowerment echoes through the festive season
Set against the backdrop of Durga Puja, the film beautifully connects devotion to the Goddess with a clear message of female empowerment. It also strives to eliminate the demons of religious and caste divides while celebrating collective unity. The less said about how masterfully this message unfolds, the better—it’s something that must be seen and experienced on screen.
A bold Indo-UK collaboration
This marks the first-ever India–UK joint production on Devi Chowdhurani, where the film belongs as much to Bhavani Pathak as it does to Devi Chowdhurani.
In fact, creative liberties make Bhavani Pathak’s role even more pronounced at times. By comparing India’s freedom fighters to Robin Hood and blending Indian history with British folklore, director Subhrajit Mitra takes a daring yet fascinating creative leap—one that clearly draws strength from Bhavani Pathak’s spiritual legacy.
Prosenjit Chatterjee delivers one of his finest performances
Debates have long surrounded the question that what is Prosenjit Chatterjee’s best performance in his four-decade-long career? While opinions may differ, one thing is certain: his portrayal of Bhavani Pathak in Devi Chowdhurani will undoubtedly rank among his greatest.
In the movie, Prosenjit transforms into a calm yet formidable ascetic who is a spiritual warrior and can be both calm and unyielding when duty calls. Using minimal facial movement, he conveys a world of emotion through his eyes and body language alone. It’s a masterclass in restrained yet powerful acting—Prosenjit, quite literally, surpasses himself. In an interview, the actor revealed that during preparation, he isolated himself completely and built a personal world around the character. Watching him on screen, every frame bears witness to that immersion—it’s as if Bhavani Pathak himself breathes through him.
On the other hand, Srabanti Chatterjee delivers one of her best performances, showcasing strength and grace in equal measure. Her strong on-screen presence adds authenticity to several key moments, although her performance leaves audiences wanting to see even more from her.
Arjun Chakrabarty and Bibriti Chatterjee emerge as the film’s biggest surprises. Playing Bhavani Pathak’s two close aides, both actors are outstanding. Arjun, rarely seen in such a role before, proves his ability to transform with each character. Bibriti, meanwhile, delivers such an assured performance that one can only hope the industry offers her more challenging roles in the future. Veteran stars like Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Kinjol Nanda, Darshana Banik, and Alex O’Nell also fit their parts seamlessly.
A gripping first half with a slightly padded second half
The first half of Devi Chowdhurani maintains taut storytelling throughout. While the second half occasionally feels a bit extended and a few scenes could have been trimmed for tighter pacing. Otherwise, it's an immersive cinematic experience.
And just when you think you know how history ends, the film throws in a powerful and unexpected twist in the final act. To truly understand how Devi Chowdhurani and Bhavani Pathak continue to resonate through Bengal’s living history—you must watch this film.
Because this is not just cinema. It’s a must-watch historical experience.
