Devi Chowdhurani (2025) [Film Review]: A Visually Striking Bengalian Epic That Earns Its Ambition

Subhrajit Mitra’s Devi Chowdhurani is a grand, period action-adventure that reimagines Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1884 classic for modern Bengali cinema. Set in turbulent 18th-century Bengal, the film traces Profulla’s metamorphosis from an outcast to a commanding bandit queen, threading rebellion, love, and betrayal into a sweeping historical canvas.

Central Performances — Srabanti & Prosenjit Anchor the Film

Powerful mentor-disciple chemistry

Srabanti Chatterjee delivers one of her most complete turns as Profulla—her quiet vulnerability in the opening scenes makes her eventual rise convincing and emotionally resonant. Prosenjit Chatterjee’s Bhavani Pathak is equal parts guide and moral center; his measured gravitas grounds the film and gives Srabanti’s transformation necessary heft. The supporting cast — including Bibriti Chatterjee, Arjun Chakrabarty, and Sabyasachi Chakrabarty — add depth and energy, particularly during the rebellion sequences.

Direction & Adaptation — Respectful, Yet Cinematic

Faithful spirit, selective liberties

Mitra balances fidelity to Bankim’s novel with pragmatic cinematic choices. Some deviations—plot adjustments and condensed arcs—serve the screen narrative without betraying the book’s spirit. The result is a reinterpretation that feels reverent but not beholden, allowing the film to breathe as a standalone period piece.

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Technical Craft — Grandeur with Texture

Immersive visuals and stirring score

Anirban Chatterjee’s cinematography captures riverine expanses and shadowed forests with equal intimacy, while production and costume design convincingly evoke the era. Bickram Ghosh’s score shifts adeptly between rousing and introspective, bolstering both spectacle and quieter emotional beats. These technical strengths make Devi Chowdhurani one of Bengali cinema’s more ambitious recent period efforts.

Action & Effects — Mostly Practical, Occasionally Uneven

Solid choreography, mixed VFX

The choreography favors practical stunts and committed physical performances—Bibriti and Arjun stand out in combat scenes. Visual effects deliver scale at times, but occasional limitations are noticeable; they never fully derail the experience because the film leans on tangible stunt work and choreography.

Shortcomings — Pacing and Editing

A strong first half, a looser second

While the film’s opening and middle sections are taut and engaging, the second half sometimes loses momentum. A few extended sequences and overwrought dialogues would have benefited from crisper editing, which could have tightened the emotional payoff in the final act.

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Verdict — A Worthy, If Flawed, Epic

Ambition pays off, with caveats

Devi Chowdhurani is a landmark attempt: a respectful adaptation powered by committed performances and bold production values. It doesn’t always land perfectly, but its portrayal of a woman’s radical transformation and its scale make it essential viewing for fans of Bengali period cinema. For Srabanti, it’s a career highlight; for Mitra, proof that ambition—when coupled with craft—can produce memorable work.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5)