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Soumik Sen's 'Jazz City' Revives 1970s Calcutta's Gritty Jazz & Neon Nights

The upcoming Bengali thriller 'Jazz City' aims to authentically capture the gritty nightlife and atmosphere of 1970s Calcutta, particularly the iconic Park Street. Director Soumik Sen emphasizes a focus on the era's raw texture and personal memory over a polished historical recreation. Music is central, with a soundtrack blending Rabindra Sangeet, jazz, and original compositions to shape the narrative's emotional rhythm. The series, set against the political tension of the Bangladesh Liberation War, follows characters in a smoky jazz club and premieres on March 19.

Key Points: Jazz City: Bengali Thriller Set in 1970s Calcutta Nightlife

  • Set in 1970s Calcutta nightlife
  • Focus on authentic, gritty realism over polish
  • Features over 25 original musical pieces
  • Story set against Bangladesh Liberation War tensions
  • Premieres March 19 on Sony LIV
2 min read

"It was never about scale": Soumik Sen on bringing 1970s Calcutta to life in upcoming Bengali thriller 'Jazz City'

Director Soumik Sen on recreating the raw texture of 1970s Park Street in the Bengali web series 'Jazz City', premiering March 19 on Sony LIV.

"It was never about scale; it was about the texture of the era. - Soumik Sen"

Mumbai, March 11

The upcoming Bengali web series 'Jazz City' is set in the nightlife of 1970s Calcutta, a time when Park Street was known for its busy nightlife, jazz clubs, glowing neon lights and music that carried through the streets late into the night.

Director Soumik Sen says the upcoming Bengali thriller tries to show the city the way people remember it, rather than presenting a "polished version" of the past.

For Sen, Park Street is not just a location for him but a place full of personal memories. Hence, while speaking about the setting of the upcoming series, the director, in a press note, shared that the team wanted everything about the city, from the streets to the clubs, to feel real.

"Park Street isn't just a backdrop for me; it's a memory of taxis, neon, music, and heartbreaks. Jazz City comes from growing up inside those nights. We didn't want a polished, 'pretty' version of the 1970s," Sen said, as per a press note.

"The costumes had to feel sweat-soaked; the cars had to feel earned, and the city had to breathe. It was never about scale; it was about the texture of the era," he added.

Since this is a Bengali show, music naturally plays a key role. Sen explained that the soundtrack was designed to reflect both the emotions of the story and the era in which it is set.

"From Rabindra Sangeet and Tagore's shlokas to the imperfect charm of jazz and the crackle of Sakina Begum on the radio, music shapes the emotional rhythm of every moment. We hope this soundtrack, blending original compositions with public domain gems, connects with audiences."

The show includes more than 25 original musical pieces created and curated by Arka Mukherjee, Diptarka Bose and Sen.

Jazz City is set against the backdrop of Calcutta during the early 1970s, a time when the city was also facing political tension linked to the Bangladesh Liberation War. The story unfolds around a smoky jazz club and follows characters dealing with music, mystery and personal struggles during a turbulent period.

The series stars Arifin Shuvoo, Sauraseni Maitra, Shantanu Ghatak, Aniruddha Gupta, Sayandeep Sen, Shreya Bhattacharya, Shataf Figar, Alexandra Taylor and Amit Saha.

Created, written and directed by Soumik Sen, Jazz City is produced by Studio 9 and StudioNext.

The series will premiere on March 19 on Sony LIV.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Arjun K
Finally, a period piece that promises authenticity! So many shows get the 70s wrong with over-polished sets. "Sweat-soaked costumes" and "cars that feel earned" – that's the detail we need. Hoping the political backdrop of the Bangladesh war is handled with similar nuance.
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Rahul R
The music blend sounds incredible. Rabindra Sangeet, jazz, and Sakina Begum on the radio? That *is* the soundtrack of Calcutta. More than the visuals, if they get the soundscape right, the show will feel truly immersive. High hopes for the original score.
S
Sarah B
As an outsider fascinated by Indian cultural history, this sounds like a brilliant window into a specific time and place. The intersection of nightlife, jazz, and political tension is a compelling setting for a thriller. Will definitely be watching on Sony LIV.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, I hope the "thriller" aspect doesn't overshadow the cultural and historical setting. The era was complex, and using it just as a backdrop for a generic mystery would be a missed opportunity. The director's vision seems sincere, though.
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Meera T
My grandfather used to tell stories about the jazz clubs on Park Street. This feels like a love letter to that lost world. So glad it's a Bengali web series getting this right, with a stellar cast too. March 19 is marked on my calendar! ❤️

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