A Comparative Analysis of Mishawr Rawhoshyo: Exploring the Dichotomy Between the Literary and Cinematic Representations

Abstract

Sunil Gangopadhyay's Mishawr Rawhoshyo has long been a cornerstone of Bengali literature. Its translation into the cinematic medium by Srijit Mukherjee marked a significant event for connoisseurs of both literature and film. This paper adopts a critical theoretical approach to dissect the film's endeavour to preserve the novel's essence while grappling with the intricacies of translating a complex narrative onto the screen. It critically appraises the film's allegiance to the source material, the cinematic techniques employed, the nuances in character portrayals, alterations in narrative structure, and the overall success of this adaptation. Employing critical theories of adaptation and film, this study examines the film's fidelity to the source material, its ability to capture the novel's essence, and the artistic choices made by the filmmakers. Additionally, it explores the alterations made to characters, plotlines, and narrative structure, providing insight into the resulting impact on the viewer's cinematic experience. Incorporating feedback and insights from both literary enthusiasts and film scholars, this research endeavours to provide a comprehensive evaluation of this adaptation, ultimately illuminating its merits and shortcomings within the realm of adaptation theory.