As a tribute to Mrinal Sen, an eminent film director and screen writer, the Department of Mass Communication of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) organised a documentary screening on May 18, 2023 in the university campus.

Premendra Majumdar, Vice-President of Federation of Film Societies of India and General Secretary of the International Film Critiques was the Guest of Honour.

While delivering the inaugural speech, Rev. Father John Felix Raj, S.J., Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of SXUK said, “Mrinal Sen was very close to Father Gaston Roberge, a pioneer in film appreciation movement in India. Sen often visited Chitrabani, the media research centre of St. Xavier’s College which was set up by Father Roberge.”

He further added that Mrinal Sen used to have long discussion with Father Roberge on socio-political issues and its reflections in Indian cinemas.

Mr. Majumdar, a recipient of several national and international awards said about huge contribution of Mrinal Sen in Indian films. He addressed Sen as a ‘social reformer’ too. He further expressed his hopes to get collaboration of the students of SXUK in activities of film federation.

Starting with a small documentary on life sketch of Mrinal Sen, the department showed six short films on different socio-cultural topics. All these films were made by the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the department right from scripting, direction and shooting. The subjects range from hand pulled rickshaws of Kolkata and its future, life of sex workers and challenges faced by them to come back to mainstream of life, life of textile workers to many other socio-cultural issues.

Dr. Reshmi Naskar was the convener of the programme. Deans of all schools, faculty members and students attended the show.

Somak Sen