Posted on 16 August 2025:
IN DECODING FILMS, UTPAL DATTA GENTLY GUIDES US THROUGH CINEMA’S QUIET CORNERS—WHERE SATYAJIT RAY’S REFLECTIONS SHIMMER AND WONG KAR-WAI’S EMOTIONS DRIFT LIKE A BLUE RIVER—OFFERING A THOUGHTFUL LENS ON FILM, ENRICHED BY VOICES LIKE RITUPARNA SENGUPTA AND EWA BUKOWSKA.
Decoding Films: Utpal Datta’s Cinematic Essays to Illuminate Screens This September
In a compelling new anthology titled Decoding Films, award-winning filmmaker and critic Utpal Datta invites readers into the layered worlds of cinema—where memory, materiality, and meaning converge.
Slated for release in September 2025, the book traverses themes as rich as Satyajit Ray’s autobiographical imprints, Wong Kar-wai’s poetic visual grammar, and the nuanced criticism of regional and indie films. With a special focus on the material history of Assamese cinema, Datta’s essays—some of which were submitted for the National Film Award for Best Critic—offer a rare blend of scholarly insight and lyrical reflection.
Introduced by National Award-winning actress Rituparna Sengupta and graced with a foreword by acclaimed Polish filmmaker Ewa Bukowska, Decoding Films promises to be a landmark contribution to cinematic literature.
AHAARE REVISITED: RITUPARNA SENGUPTA’S HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO UTPAL DATTA
In the introduction to Decoding Films, National Award-winning actress Rituparna Sengupta offers a moving tribute to Utpal Datta’s gift for cinematic insight.
Reflecting on his essay about her cherished film AhaaRe, she writes with deep gratitude: “Utpalda, your words are not just reviews—they’re reflections that have enriched our journey.”
She praises his ability to gently uncover hidden layers within the film, revealing dimensions even the creators hadn’t seen.
“It felt as though you gave the film new breath and meaning,” she shares, acknowledging how his writing brought fresh light to a story close to their hearts.
A GLOBAL FLAME: EWA BUKOWSKA ON UTPAL DATTA’S CINEMATIC DEVOTION
In her foreword to Decoding Films, Polish filmmaker Ewa Bukowska calls Utpal Datta a “guardian of the flame”—someone who sees cinema not just as entertainment, but as a soulful journey across cultures and time.
“An exceptional collection of essays exploring the captivating worlds of Indian and global cinema, showcasing critical insight, analytical objectivity, original thought, poetic sensibility, and a deep, enduring passion for film. Utpal Datta’s book serves as a valuable resource for film enthusiasts and offers an engaging and thought-provoking reading experience.” – Daniela Rogobete, University of Craiova, Romania.
She praises the book’s heartfelt curation and its quiet power to reveal how India has reimagined film as a moral and artistic calling.
VOICES OF PRAISE FOR DECODING FILMS
The book- Decoding Films has received warm praise from celebrated filmmaker Rahul Rawail, the versatile Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, and respected critic and academician Sanchari Basu Chaudhury of FLAME University, among others.
Their words echo a shared admiration for Utpal Datta’s thoughtful reflections and his deep love for the art of storytelling through film.
A Life in Frames and Words
Utpal Datta stands as one of India’s rare voices to be honored twice with the National Film Award — the Jury Special Mention for Best Writing on Cinema (2006) and the prestigious Swarna Kamal for Best Film Critic (2023), and for his insightful writing and fearless criticism.
A filmmaker, professor and author, his work bridges cinema, academia and cultural thought. From directing acclaimed films like Bohubritta to penning pioneering books in Assamese film literature, Datta’s journey is a tribute to the power of storytelling—both on screen and in print.