Bengali films have always been ahead of their time, to date, the industry continues to churn out cinematic gems. The legacy of Ray-Ghatak and their contemporaries, who took their work to

international platforms, is being taken forward by the new-age filmmakers. While keeping the charm of Bengali cinema intact, contemporary films are surely bringing back those glorious days.

And, fortunately, OTT platforms have made it easier to access stories that we might have missed out on otherwise. So if you are on a lookout for something beyond mainstream cinema, we

suggest you to add these Bengali films to your watchlist.   1. _JYESHTHOPUTRO_– ZEE5 Originally conceived by renowned filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh, Kaushik Ganguly’s family drama showcases a

Chaos ensues in the family when a septuagenarian couple decides to part ways after 49 years of marriage. The film deals with numerous delicate issues within a marriage and makes the viewer

question their beliefs about this union. Besides delivering a poignant story of companionship, the film boasts of extremely convincing performances. _Bela Seshe _is a family drama but unlike

any other you might have seen so far.  3. _NAGARKIRTAN_– AMAZON PRIME VIDEO Although not all, _Nagarkirtan _might clear up a few disagreements we have on trans representation in our films.

Coupled with outstanding performances, the almost flawless film shakes you to the core. To say, it is just a queer love story would be trivialization of a film that holds up a mirror to the

naked realities of the society.  4. _MAYURAKSHI_– ZEE5  When the protagonist’s father shows signs of geriatric dementia and cognitive dysfunction, he returns to his ailing father. The film

delves into the struggles of ageing and complexities of human relationships. Soumitra Chatterjee and Prosenjit Chatterjee,with impeccable performances, make _Mayurakshi _much more than a

film that explores the evolving relationship of a father-son duo. 5. _JONAKI⁩‭_– NETFLIX  _Jonaki⁩‭_, with powerful storytelling and surrealistic visuals, traces the decaying memories of its

protagonist, Lolita Chatterjee, lying in her deathbed. She relives her life through those foggy memories and dreams. Director Aditya Vikram Sengupta goes beyond the boundaries of

conventional storytelling and that’s where the brilliance of the film lies. Truly a visual treat.  ADVERTISEMENT 6. _TASHER GHAWR_– AMAZON PRIME VIDEO  The story in the film is told as an

extended monologue narrated by the lead, played by Swastika Mukherjee. Set in the backdrop of the prolonged lockdown, _Tasher Ghawr_ picks up a common issue, that is domestic violence, but

stands out in its treatment of the subject.  7. _RAJKAHINI_– AMAZON PRIME VIDEO  _Rajkahini _isn’t the first film made on partition. However, this fictional tale does shift the lens towards

one of the most exploited sections of society, the prostitutes. The intricate tale of love, patriotism and oppression, showcases the dire need of belongingness. When a brothel owner and the

residents are commanded to leave their home, as the country is being divided, they wage a war to save the roof over their heads. Sounds familiar? The film was adapted in Hindi as _Begum

Jaan_. And even if you have seen it, the original one is still worth a watch.   8. _SHONAR PAHAR_– NETFLIX Mostly _Shonar Pahar_ exhibits a rift between a fiercely independent mother and an

estranged son. But Parambrata Chatterjee, who also features in the film, makes it out of ordinary with his innovative approach to the plot. Despite its flaws (which are very few), you can

sit through the film for its masterclass performances, for sure.    9. _ASHA JAOAR MAJHE_– AMAZON PRIME VIDEO  _Asha Jaoar Majhe_, a lyrical masterpiece, says so much without even using a

word. The film, starring Basabdatta Chatterjee and Ritwick Chakrobarty, follows a nameless couple stuck in monotonous jobs. The routine mundane acts continue while the narration is left to

the alluring old classic Bengali songs.  ADVERTISEMENT 10. _MACHHER JHOL_– NETFLIX Machher jhol isn’t a dish but an emotion (for Bengalis) and in this film it is a shared memory for a mother

and her son. When the latter returns home to visit his ailing mother, she asks him to cook machher jhol (fish curry) with the same flavours he did decades ago. Director Pratim Gupta skips

the melodrama and brilliantly captures the conflicts between traditional values and new generation’s ambitions.  While mainstream cinema is still riding and thriving on adaptations and

stories told over and over again, these films surely bring you a contrasting scenario of Indian cinema.