Subratanath Mukhopadhyay

Tired of the corrupt Communist regime and its policies, a group of flying humans and black magicians join forces to hatch a conspiracy and wage a guerrilla attack against the totalitarian government and overthrow it.

Based on Nabarun Bhattacharyas novel of the same name which won the highest literary prize in India in 1997, Suman Mukhopadhyays debut feature Herbert is a deeply moving and artistically accomplished motion picture full of profound laughter, pathos, and humanity.

Rajani is a well-known prostitute in a small town in Bengal, India, living in a brothel with her teenage daughter, Lati. With few options for a better life, Rajani hopes to arrange a marriage for her daughter with a wealthy local businessman - an idea Lati opposes. Choosing a life of unpredictability and the possibility of education over the known fate of arranged marriage, Lati takes off for Calcutta, encountering several quirky characters along the way.

The protagonist's job is driving across the country screening family planning films in villages, often meeting with unpleasant responses from his target audience. His faith in life is sustained by his love for his dream girl — a beautiful actress he saw crying away in a film five years ago and has haunted him ever since. Writer-director Buddhadev Dasgupta won the National Film Award for Best Direction.