From producing films by the legendary Satyajit Ray, Tapan Sinha, and Arundhati Debi to winning many prestigious awards like the National Film Awards, the Silver Cross in Adelaide and many more, Priya Entertainments Pvt Ltd has always been an intrinsic part of Kolkata’s cinematic journey. Unforgettable classics produced under the banner of Piyali Films include “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne”, “Aranyer Dinratri” and “Pratidwandi” directed by Satyajit Ray, “Chhuti” directed by Arundhati Devi, and “Hatey Bajare” directed by Tapan Sinha... The production house is also the recipient of the President’s Gold Medal for Best Producer, for three consecutive years. Some of the noteworthy mentions and awards are as follows:
1967: Produced “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne” directed by Satyajit Ray
1967: produced “Hatey Bajare” which went on to win the President’s Gold Medal the following year.
1968: produced “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne” which won the award for Best Direction the following year.
1969: “Best Film (National Award) for “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne”
1969: “Silver Cross, Adelaide for “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne”
1969: Best Director, Auckland, 1970 for “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne”
1970: Merit Award, Tokyo 1970 for “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne”
1970: Best Film, Melbourne 1970 for “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne”
1970: President’s Gold and Silver Medals for “Aranyer Din Ratri”
1971: Nominated for Best Director Award (Golden Bear) at the Berlin International Film Festival
1971: Best Director National Film Awards (Golden Lotus Award), India, for Pratidwandi
1971: Best Screenplay, National Film Awards (Silver Lotus Award), India for Pratidwandi
1990: Hosted and screened films at Priya as part of the International Film Festival, Kolkata
2001: Award for the best art decor theatre in Asia, TAA, for Gitanjali Cultural Complex, Shantiniketan.
Whether taking over multiplexes or upgrading complexes, there has been a constant endeavor to achieve new heights in the entertainment industry. After setting a benchmark as a production company with Piyali Films in the sixties, the iconic single screen, Priya Cinema was launched , marking a new chapter in entertainment history. One of the last standing single screen theatres to have survived the onslaught of the multiplex era, Priya Cinema has constantly strived to upgrade facilities and improve the movie going experience for it’s viewers.
In 1958, Priya was one of the first theatres to screen Charlie Chaplin’s “City Light”.
Since then we have collaborated with many hallmark production houses – UTV Films, NDTV Lumiere, Disney, Sony Pictures, Columbia Tristar among several others. Currently the company operates three single screen theatres and three multiplexes in West Bengal.
A recent foray into the hospitality space began with the introduction of a new vertical, Eco Adventure Resorts. In the year 2016, Eco Adventure Resorts, Khairabera, a 2 hour scenic drive from Purulia started operations with 3 cottages and 3 tents. The property has, since then, undergone considerable expansion with the addition of more tented accommodation, and presently is a popular getaway destination for the city weary traveller.
An exciting plunge into tea tourism led to the addition of The Temi Bungalow in Namchi, South Sikkim, in 2019. A 175 year bungalow, nestled in the midst of Sikkim’s only tea garden, was reinvented keeping the heritage aspect intact, whilst modernizing the interiors, to welcome guests to an unique experience. The resort now boasts a grand 5 bedroom bungalow, with an expansive wrap-around verandah, and 8 quaint cottages alongside it.