'I can't escape the spirit of Calcutta': Mrinal Sen, in Kolkata

From the archive record

It is Mrinal Sen who manages to project this idiom of Calcutta with brutal honesty and rare compassion. The many facets of the city and its inherent contradictions are fodder for the artists who thrive and find inspiration in this milieu. Mrinal Sen in more ways than one is a refugee in the city. He came from West Bengal where he was born yet over the years he has grown to love the city of his adoption. Although it manages to provoke him constantly. Mrinal Sen says "Calcutta always runs in extremes. always in extremes, so that is one thing which gives me the inspiration to make films in Calcutta and since I happen to be from Calcutta basically I happen to be inseparable anatomy of the city. So thats why I cant escape it. Even of I make a film outside calcutta, I carry the essence of calcut