Director and actor Rituparno Ghosh explores sexuality in Bengali film 'Chitrangada'

National Award winning director Rituparno Ghosh explores sexuality in Bengali film 'Chitrangada', in which he plays the part of a choreographer directing poet Rabindranath Tagore's epic play. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Rituparno is no novice where acting is concerned. He had played a female role in Noukadubi (2010) and one of the protagonists in Arekti Premer Golpo (Just Another Love Story) (2011) and Memories in March (2011). Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

The celebrated director has explored contentious subjects in his films before, and has often taken an avant-garde stand on homosexuality. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

The director plays the role of a choreographer who is preparing to stage Rabindranath Tagore's play 'Chitrangada' ahead of his 150th birth anniversary in his latest film by the same name.

'Chitrangada' was recently screened at the Annual New York Indian Film Festival along with with Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur.

Rituparno plays the role of Rudra Chatterjee, also known as Khokon and explores his sexuality throughout the film. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Rituparno is known to tackle sensitive subjects in his films and use his own creative space to paint a larger picture of life, society, friendship and sex. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Jishu Sengupta plays the role of a junkie in the film 'Chitrangada'. Jishu is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Jishu Sengupta or Biswaroop Sengupta, is the son of actor Ujjwal Sengupta and made his name playing the role of Chaitanya in the televised serial 'Mahaprabhu'. Rituparno and Jishu are seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Jishu has worked with every Bengali director worth his salt - Shyam Benegal (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero), Rituparno Ghosh (The Last Lear, Shob Charitro Kalponik, Abohoman) and with Gautam Ghose (Abar Aranye). Rituparno and Jishu are seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Rituparno plunges into the story of 'Chitrangada', the warrior princess who captures the heart of Arjun of the Pandava brothers. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Chitrangada's father wanted her to become the prince of Manipur since he did not have a son to succeed him. But the princess wanted to retain her sensuality and femininity. Rituparno and Jishu use the parallel to weave a similar story of love and personal choice. Rituparno and Jishu are seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Currently Jishu is one of Bengali film industry's leading actors. Jishu is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Rituparno and Jishu have earlier explored a similar subject in 'Arekti Premer Golpo' where the former played the role of a gay filmmaker. Rituparno and Jishu are seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

'Arekti Premer Golpo', featuring Rituparno and Jishu, was the first film on homosexuality to be shot after the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. This is a still from 'Chitrangada.' Rituparno and Jishu are seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Chitrangada has been produced by Shree Venkatesh Films. The story is by Rituparno Ghosh. Rituparno and Jishu are seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

The cinematography has been handled by Abhik Mukhopadhyay. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Rudra gives in to his father's wish and studies engineering. But his ambition was to become a choreographer.

Arghyakamal Mitra has edited the film. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Indranil Ghosh is the art director. A still from 'Chitrangada'.

Sanjoy Nag is the assistant director of the film. Rituparno and Jishu are seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Rituparno's 'Chitragada' has travelled to all the important festivals around the world even before its release. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Chitrangada will travel to the South Asian Film Festival Canada in Vancouver and the Indian Film Festival Australia. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

This is Rituparno's fourth film as an actor after 'Aarekti Premer Galpo', 'Memories In March' and 'Noukadubi'. Jishu is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

'Chitrangada: The Crowning Wish' will also have its Indian premiere at the Osian's in Delhi on July 27. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

In 1992, Rituparno made his debut as a director with the children's film 'Hirer Angti' (The Diamond Ring). Rituparno and Jishu are seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Even though Jishu started his career in television, he soon made his place in cinema with his good looks and adequate acting skills. He is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.

The cast includes Rituparno Ghosh, Jishu Sengupta, Raima Sen, Anasuya Majumdar, Dipankar De, Koushik Bandyopadhyay and Anjan Dutt. Rituparno is seen in a still from 'Chitrangada'.