On his birth anniversary, ThePrint remembers Mrinal Sen, the pioneer of New Cinema movement, who was often criticised for making movies on human suffering.

Cinema, by Ghatak’s own admission, was nothing more than a means of expression. He obdurately refused to present a unified picture of Bengal or look at the jubilation of Independence. Instead, he focussed on the price one had to pay for it and compelled the audience to do the same.