The 14th edition of the Kolkata Literary Meet (KALAM) began on January 22 at the Alipore Museum, setting the stage for five days of conversations around literature, cinema, and culture.
The opening day also brought together a wide constellation of voices from across literature and cinema. Authors Jhumpa Lahiri and Banu Mushtaq featured prominently in the day’s discussions, alongside renowned Bengali filmmaker Srijit Mukherji. The sessions also saw the presence of actress Moon Moon Sen and Sanjoy Mukhopadhyay.
Speaking exclusively to News Ei Samay, Filmmaker Srijit Mukherji offered insights into what continues to draw him towards history, mystery, and unresolved narratives.
'Kalidas still feels unexplored to me’
When asked about an ancient author or period he would love to work on, Mukherji pointed to classical literature. “I would love to work on Kalidas’s texts,” he said. “I think it’s not yet explored deeply.”
Also Read | 'Khancha' trailer out: 'Cinebap' Mrinmoy Das steps into cinema with intense drama
Why sensitive subjects don’t scare him
With films like Gumnaami, Lawho Gouranger Naam Rey, and his upcoming Emperor vs Sarat Chandra, Winkle Twinkle, Mukherji has consistently engaged with historically and politically sensitive subjects.
Asked what motivates him to keep returning to such themes, the filmmaker traced it back to his fascination with thrillers.
“I love thrillers. I love to create a thriller as well as write,” he said. For Mukherji, intrigue goes beyond crime or fiction. “Any historical film where there is suspense or mystery: when I create such movies, even the research becomes a thriller.”
History as detective work
Elaborating on his process, Mukherji compared historical research to investigative work. “To some extent, archaeologists are also detectives,” he said. Reconstructing the past, according to him, involves tracking down details, such as how houses once looked, what kind of clothes people wore, and how everyday life unfolded.
"All these are scattered like small clues,” he explained. “Those clues build up to reconstruct a period. That itself is a thriller for me.”
An inaugural session rich in reflection
The inaugural session unfolded in a reflective, almost reverential mood, led by Jayanta Sengupta, director of the Alipore Museum, Avik Roy, managing director and CEO of Exide, and KALAM curator and director Malavika Banerjee. The moment was anchored by a centennial tribute to the late writer Mahasweta Devi, with evocative readings from Hajar Churashir Maa presented in the original Bangla and in English translation by Senjuti Mukherjee and Dana Roy. The inaugural address was delivered by Banu Mushtaq and Barbara Kingsolver, setting a contemplative tone for the days ahead.
From Rome to remembrance: The day’s other conversations
The day’s conversations then moved fluidly across geographies and genres. Author Jhumpa Lahiri took the stage in conversation with KALAM curator and director Malavika Banerjee, reflecting on her deepening relationship with Rome and the stories that emerged from the Eternal City.
Later, the meet followed a session with Author Banu Mushtaq, in conversation with Chinki Sinha about her International Booker Prize–winning collection of short stories, about her journey. The inaugural day concluded with Uttam Shotoborsho, a reflective tribute session featuring renowned Bengali filmmaker Srijit Mukherji alongside actress Moon Moon Sen and Prof. Sanjoy Mukhopadhyay, in conversation with Balaji Vittal, celebrating the enduring legacy of Bengal’s Mahanayak.
