This is Uttam-Suchitra duo at their best in Rajlakshmi Srikanta (Emperor; Rs 135). The screenplay and direction is by Haridas Bhattacharya and music by Gyanprakash Ghosh. Uttam Kumar is Saratchandra Chattopadhyay’s Srikanta, a rule-breaker, always defiant. He angers the big dads of religion, goes for hunting, indulges in alcohol and falls in love with the beautiful nautch girl Rajlakshmi aka Pearybai (Suchitra Sen). Rajlakshmi represents the plight of women in the society then and Srikanta has great compassion for them all. A beautiful love story, and very different.

Here’s a double treat for Uttam Kumar fans from Angel: Two films in one (DVD; Rs 349). Kamallata has screenplay-direction by Harisadhan Dasgupta and is also based on Saratchandra’s Srikanta portrayed by none other than the Mahanayak himself, again. Here Suchitra Sen is the Vaishnavi called Kamallata. Women have always led Srikanta in his never ending quest for life, and Kamallata holds a special place. The film has some beautiful songs by Robin Chatterjee.

The second film in the DVD is a comedy, an adaptation of the Shakespearean play, Comedy of Errors ? Bhranti Bilash. Directed by Manu Sen, it’s a story about mistaken identity between two pairs of identical twins, separated at birth. Later, when they get together they create havoc. It’s Uttam Kumar and Bhanu Bannerjee playing master and servant, both in double roles.

Chhadmabeshi (Angel; Rs 199) is one more hilarious comedy, with Uttam Kumar playing the bratty brother-in-law to a very strict Bikash Roy. Fed up with his newly wedded wife’s praise for her awesome brother-in-law he thinks up a way to pull his leg. So he arrives at his house in disguise of an irritating driver thus making a mess of his life, but all in good humour. Directed by Agradoot, this is a good fun film.

Jhhinder Bondi (Angel; Rs 199), directed by Tapan Sinha, is an excellent film about kings and kingdom ? the kingdom of Jhhind in Madhya Pradesh. Once again Uttam Kumar and in a double role, too, is the prince of Jhhind who’s been kidnapped by his own brother who wants to usurp the throne. But the loyal minister finds a look-alike and puts him on the throne to get even with this villainous brother. It is Soumitra Chatterjee pitted against Uttam Kumar that makes it all the more interesting.

Pratishod (Angel; Rs) is one more film that has Soumitra Chatterjee up against Uttam Kumar. This time he is his brother, but in love with his money. And the revenge here is taken by Sukhen Das, Uttam’s son here. He’s the director of the film, too.