36, Chowringee Lane

It’s the year 1981. The director of the film has never been behind a camera before. Neither has the writer. What
happens next? It becomes one of the most awarded Indian films of all time. A then unknown Aparna Sen
creates history.

In the film, in a recently independent India, Violet Stoneham is an ageing English teacher who lives a quiet and uneventful life at Kolkata’s 36, Chowringhee Lane. This quite life turns on its head when a former student, Nandita pays a visit with her author-boy friend, Samaresh.

Violet is delighted, particularly when Samaresh decides that he would like to work on a novel in her apartment. What becomes of it? Do feelings of affection get the better of the protagonists? Or for his book, does Samaresh explore more than just his imagination?

Setting the tone of all of Aparna’s future ventures, the film received its fair share of awards and accolades the
world over. 

Awards
1982 Golden Eagle Award - Best Feature Film - Cinemanila International Film Festival
1982 Golden Lotus Award - Best Director - National Film Awards (India)
1982 Silver Lotus Award - Best Cinematography - National Film Awards (India)
1982 Silver Lotus Award - Best Regional Film (Hindi) - National Film Awards (India)
1983 Best Actress - Evening Standard British Film Awards (UK)
1983 Nominated - Best Actress - Bafta Awards (UK)