The Cloud and the Man
2021 Indian film
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The Cloud and the Man (also known as Manikbabur Megh) is a 2024 Indian Bengali-language drama film directed by debutant director Abhinandan Banerjee and produced by Buaddhayan and Monalisa Mukherji.[1] Actor Chandan Sen who portrayed the title role bagged the Best Actor Award at the 19th Pacific Meridian Film Festival, Russia.[2][3] The film got selection at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2025 under the Eikhoigi Montage section.[4]
- Bauddhayan Mukherji
- Monalisa Mukherji
- Chandan Sen
- Debesh Roychowdhury
- Bratya Basu
- Nimai Ghosh
| The Cloud and the Man | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| মানিকবাবুর মেঘ | |
| Directed by | Abhinandan Banerjee |
| Written by | Abhinandan Banerjee |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Anup Singh |
| Edited by | Abhro Banerjee |
| Music by | Subhajit Mukherjee |
Production company | Little Lamb Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 97 Minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Bengali |
Cast
- Chandan Sen as Manik Babu
- Debesh Roychowdhury as Kali
- Bratya Basu as Dr. Sadhan
- Nimai Ghosh as Madhab
- Arun Guhatharkurta
- Arya Mallick
Plot
Using monochrome cinematography, The Cloud and the Man is a surreal and philosophical reflection on one recently-bereaved middle aged man and his accidentally complex yet meaningful relationship with a cloud. It is about Manik Babu, who makes friends with a cloud which he feels, keeps following him.[5] In the beginning, he is terrified but with time, he feels a strange bonding with the same cloud which strips him of his utter isolation, his loneliness and his alienation from the world around him.[6] This surreal relation brings out a new Manik in him and propels him into a roller coaster journey of faith, betrayal, belief, and warmth.[7]
Release
The film released in theaters in West Bengal on 12 July 2024.[8]
Awards and nominations
It had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival[9] where it opened the First Feature competition in Nov 2021. The Indian Premiere was at IFFI, Goa[10] and the North American Premiere took place at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
The film finds place in the coveted list of FIPRESCI India's Top 10 Films of 2021 [11] and has won the NETPAC award for the Best Asian Film at the 27th Kolkata International Film Festival, 2022.[12] It also bagged the Chidananda Dasgupta Award and a citation for a feature film by a debut director for the 2nd year of the Chidananda Dasgupta Centenary Awards.[13]