Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction : the early years -- The Idea of a 'Bengali' Cinema -- Bengal and a 'National' Cinema : New Theatres Ltd -- The Transition to a 'Regional' Cinema -- Bengali Love-Stories : Uttam-Suchitra and the Golden Era of Bengali Cinema -- Common Man's Comedy : the Bhanu Factor -- Satyajit Ray and the Bengali Cinema -- Changing Context, New Texts : Bengali Cinema and Another Bengaliness -- Epilogue.