Ever since the advent talkie, theatre and the novel Bengal was prepared to take the plunge to make films that were to set precedence. The history of Bengali cinema witnessed the potential of the several stage actors whose contribution proved vital for the development of Bengali cinema. Since its birth cinema attracted the interest of the intelligentsia, Rabindranath Tagore, for example and the support of the cultivated middle classes. Its boom received a boost because of the exceptional technical skills.

Like all Indian cinemas the history of Bengali cinema also had its classic commercial productions. In fact it still has them. The songs and dances play important roles in these films. The period of the silent films as well as the decades of the 1930s and the 1940s have been brilliant in Bengal for several reasons: the role of the New Theatres, the presence of competent technicians, the awareness that the brilliant Bengali fictional and theatrical literature was a vital source of inspiration for cinema and of course, the support of the cultivated middle class.

The Bengali commercial cinema saw a period of expansion in 1947. Moreover it is also the blessed ground for documentaries. The history of Bengali cinema saw the growth of Bengali films with contribution from its actors and directors. There came a time when the silver screen of Bengal was invaded by films from Mumbai. However with time the film industry was revived and today the future looks brighter as there are various investors ready to invest in Bengali cinema.

The talented Bengali actors have also successfully helped the Bengali motion pictures industry at the time of need. The history of Bengali cinema, however, traces those times when Bengali directors delivered some of the classics of Indian cinema to the world. Besides the Indian cinema a host of directors and actors are recognised by the world cinema as well. Satyajit Ray, Soumitra Chatterjee, Aparna Sen, Rituparno Ghosh and others are some of the known names in the arena of world cinema.

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