Sangee (2003 film)
Sangee is a 2003 Indian Bengali-language romantic drama film directed by Haranath Chakraborty.[1] The film stars Jeet and Priyanka Upendra in lead roles, with Shilajit Majumdar, Ranjit Mallick, Rajesh Sharma, and Babul Supriyo in supporting roles.[2] It is a remake of the 1998 Tamil film Kannedhirey Thondrinal.) Produced by Santosh Shah and written by Ajay Sen, the movie features music composed by S.P. Venkatesh.[2] Released on 14 June 2003 with a runtime of 156 minutes, Sangee explores themes of love, sacrifice, and friendship.[1] It received positive reception for its emotional storytelling and performances, earning a 7.1/10 rating on IMDb from 581 users as of 2025.[1] The film was one of Jeet's early hits following his debut success in Sathi (2002).)Production
Development
Sangee was developed as a remake of the 1998 Tamil film Kannedhirey Thondrinal, directed by Ravichandran, with the production acquiring the necessary rights to adapt the story for a Bengali audience.[3] Director Haranath Chakraborty was involved in crafting the screenplay, making adjustments to align with Bengali cultural elements, such as renaming the lead characters from Vasanth and Priya in the original to Bijoy and Rupa.[1] Shree Venkatesh Films served as the producer, approving the project as a romantic drama aimed at family viewers, emphasizing emotional narratives in urban settings.[4] The film's budget was allocated at ₹1 crore, reflecting the rising production costs in Bengali cinema during that period.[5] Pre-production, including script finalization, took place in early 2003, leading to the film's release later that year. This project marked the second on-screen pairing of lead actors Jeet and Priyanka Trivedi, following their successful debut collaboration in Sathi (2002).)Casting
The lead role of Bijoy was assigned to Jeet, who was selected due to his rising popularity in Bengali cinema following the commercial success of Sathi (2002), his breakthrough film directed by the same filmmaker Haranath Chakraborty.[6] Priyanka Trivedi was cast as Rupa, marking her second on-screen pairing with Jeet after their successful collaboration in Sathi, and reflecting her expansion into Bengali cinema after prior roles in Kannada and Tamil films.[7] Shilajit Majumdar was chosen for the role of Rana, Rupa's brother, utilizing his established reputation as a Bengali singer-songwriter to bring emotional depth to the character.[8] The supporting role of Bijoy's father was filled by veteran actor Ranjit Mallick, whose performance enhanced the film's family-oriented dynamics.[2] As a remake of the Tamil film Kannedhirey Thondrinal (1998), the casting adapted key roles originally portrayed by actors like Prashanth and Simran to maintain narrative chemistry while resonating with Bengali audiences.[9]Filming
Principal photography for Sangee commenced in mid-2003 and spanned roughly three months, capturing the essence of contemporary urban romance in Bengal. The shoot was overseen by cinematographer V. Prabhakar, whose work emphasized natural lighting and fluid camera movements to highlight the emotional intimacy between the leads.[4] Filming primarily took place in Kolkata, with pivotal scenes shot at the Bidhannagar Road railway station to depict the protagonists' chance encounter, alongside other city locales like bustling streets and residential areas that reflected modern Bengali lifestyles.[10] These locations were chosen to ground the narrative in authentic everyday settings, enhancing the film's relatable romantic tone. Post-production editing was managed by Swapan Guha, who meticulously paced the emotional highs and lows of the drama to fit the 148-minute runtime, ensuring a balanced flow without diluting key dramatic moments.[4] The production utilized 35mm film stock, providing a rich, cinematic texture that suited the genre's emphasis on heartfelt visuals and subtle performances. One notable challenge involved sensitively filming the suicide attempt sequence, requiring careful coordination to portray realism while respecting the story's emotional depth. Director Haranath Chakraborty's vision guided the adaptation of remake elements into authentic Bengali contexts during these shoots.Story and cast
Plot
Bijay, a young man from Siliguri, arrives in Kolkata to pursue higher studies and encounters Roopa at Bidhannagar Road railway station, instantly falling in love with her at first sight, guided by his uncle Prabhu Mama.[1] Unaware of her family ties, Bijay soon befriends Rana, who turns out to be Roopa's brother; upon discovering this connection, Bijay chooses to sacrifice his love to preserve the friendship and avoid any sense of betrayal.[10] Devastated by Bijay's withdrawal, Roopa falls into deep despair and consumes poison in a suicide attempt, leading her family to arrange a wedding; this forces the truth of their hidden romance to surface in the hospital.) Rana, moved by the revelation and recognizing the sincerity of their bond, ultimately supports their relationship, leading to their marriage and a joyful resolution that underscores themes of sacrifice and familial loyalty within the film's 148-minute narrative arc.)Cast
The principal cast of Sangee features Jeet in the lead role of Bijay, the protagonist depicted as a sincere lover who prioritizes his friendship above personal desires.[1] Priyanka Trivedi portrays Roopa, the female lead embodying emotional vulnerability in her interactions with the central characters.[1] Shilajit Majumdar plays Rana, Roopa's protective brother and Bijay's close friend, contributing to the film's exploration of familial and fraternal bonds.[1] Ranjit Mallick appears as Prabhu Mama, Bijay's uncle, offering guidance during pivotal family-oriented scenes.[1] Supporting roles include Anamika Saha as the mother of Rana and Roopa, Kanchan Mullick as Bijay's mother, and Rajatabir Basu as one of Bijay's friends, alongside other actors in minor parts depicting additional family members and acquaintances.[1] The casting emphasizes the natural chemistry between the leads Jeet and Priyanka Trivedi, enhancing the romantic dynamics.[1]Music
Soundtrack composition
The soundtrack for Sangee was composed by S. P. Venkatesh, with all lyrics penned by Gautam Susmit.[11] The album features five songs performed by a selection of playback singers, including Mano for energetic numbers, Anuradha Sriram in duets, and Babul Supriyo.[11] These tracks were recorded in 2003 and released as an audio cassette and CD on 14 June 2003 by Echo Recording Company, to generate audience interest.[11] The total runtime of the soundtrack stands at approximately 24 minutes.[12] The compositions integrate seamlessly with the film's romantic and emotional narrative beats, enhancing key dramatic moments.[1]Track listing
The soundtrack album of Sangee features five original songs composed by S. P. Venkatesh, with lyrics by Gautam Susmit. All tracks follow the standard playback singing format and are picturized on the film's lead actors, Jeet and Priyanka Upendra, without deviations.[11][13]| No. | Title | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Alto Chhoyate" | Mano, Anuradha Sriram | 5:05 |
| 2 | "Bombay Kapiye" | Babul Supriyo | 4:25 |
| 3 | "Jodi Mathay Ghomta Diye" | Mano, Anuradha Sriram | 4:48 |
| 4 | "Kere Nili Monta Amar" | Mano, Babul Supriyo | 4:56 |
| 5 | "Sahasa Barasay" | Mano, Anuradha Sriram | 4:43 |