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Premi
Premi
Premi
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Premi
Premi Movie Poster
Directed byRabi Kinagi
Written byRabi Kinagi
Story bySumanth Arts
Produced bySurinder Films
Shree Venkatesh Films
StarringJeet
Jisshu Sengupta
Chandana Sharma
CinematographyG.Vidyanand
Edited bySuresh Oors
Music byJeet Gannguli
Production
companies
Distributed byShree Venkatesh Films
Release date
  • 30 July 2004 (2004-07-30)[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageBengali

Premi (Bengali: প্রেমী, translated as "Lover") is a Bengali romantic drama film released in 2004.[2][3] Directed by Rabi Kinagi, the movie featured Jeet, Jisshu Sengupta and Chandana Sharma. This was Chandana Sharma's debut movie [4] It is a remake of the Telugu-language blockbuster film Nee Sneham.

Plot

[edit]

Rahul and Sumit are best friends and professional players of international football. In saving Rahul from an accident, Sumit injures his own leg, and can no longer play football. Rahul makes a promise to vicariously fulfill Sumit's dreams by becoming a great football player. One day, in a taxi, he meets Puja and falls in love at first sight. She lives with her paternal grandparents. Puja meets Sumit, and admires him for his strength and grit, which survive his being invalided. Puja and her friends go to Goa, and are joined there by Rahul and his friends, who had come for a football match. Puja & Rahul become mutual friends, though she is to be married to another man. That planned marriage is cancelled, after Puja is accused of unsuitable behavior involving Rahul. Puja's grandfather is unable to bear this shock, and dies. Puja misunderstands Rahul, and her friendship with him gives way to hatred.

Rahul tries secretly to help Puja; whenever she lands in any kind of trouble Rahul helps her. He even steals money from his own father, to help Puja; he remains ”in the background”, and contacts her only via letters, in which he presents himself as an unnamed friend. She “falls in love with“ this secret friend, and becomes desperate to meet him. On the day of Holi, Puja, misidentifying Sumit as the secret friend, and thrilled with joy, sends a marriage proposal to his home, via her grandmother, and their wedding plans are finalised. Rahul, heartbroken at the prospect of his one true love marrying his best friend, cannot say anything to Sumit — he still feels indebted to Sumit for having saved his life. She, angered at seeing Rahul, tells him to stay away from her new life.

Finally, all these misunderstandings are resolved, with marriage between Rahul and Puja.

Cast

[edit]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Premi
Soundtrack album by
Jeet Gannguli
Released2004
Recorded2003
StudioSurinder Films
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageBengali
LabelSVF
Jeet Gannguli chronology
Premi
(2004) 		Bandhan
(2004)
Singles from Premi
  1. "Mone Rekho Amar E Gaan"
    Released: 31 May 2018
  2. "Pratham Premer Pratham Chowa"
    Released: 31 May 2018

All songs were composed by Jeet Ganguli and this was his first film as a music director.

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."O Bandhure Bandhure Tor"Zubeen Garg3:24
2."Mone Rekho Amar Ea Gaan" (Male Version)Sonu Nigam 
3."Mone Rekho Amar Ea Gaan" (Female Version)Shreya Ghoshal, Sagarika 
4."Jar Chabi Eai Mon Enke Jai"Sonu Nigam, Chorus4:46
5."Eaki Sathe Eaki Pathe"Shaan, Zubeen Garg4:17
6."Pratham Premer Pratham Chowa"Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal4:39
7."Satti Satti Jadi Pari Hoye"Shreya Ghoshal2:34
8."Mone Rekho Amar Ea Gaan" (Duet)Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam4:55

Critical reception

[edit]

The two multiplexes feel the dashing combo of the two young Turks of Tollywood and their lady love has the pull to lure in the audiences. "Though it’s not the niche variety, Premi is a well-made, well-publicised urban romantic film which, we feel, will appeal to our audiences. Also because the Salt lake area consists of a large bulk of Bengali cine-goers. If this experiment succeeds, we may go for more such films", revealed a spokesperson for INOX.[citation needed]

Much on the same lines, a spokesperson for 89 Cinemas added: "Premi is targeted at the youth and we think it will click with our viewers.[citation needed]

” While an audio cassette of Premi comes free with every ticket sold (Rs 60 and Rs 80) at the Salt Lake multiplex, the Swabhumi multi-screen is offering a slashed rate of Rs 50. The film rolls out at 6.30 pm, INOX-City Centre, and at 1.15 pm, 89 Cinemas.[5] For masala films with local stars, the emphasis is more on glossy look and feel (read: fresh locales, trendy costumes, stylish interiors). In Shree Venkatesh Films’ Premi, the outdoors were all Gangtok, leading lady Chandana got her costumes designed from Mumbai, the wardrobe for Jeet and Jisshu Sengupta was picked up from Pantaloons, Westside and Forum. The trendy casuals that Koel Mallick sports in Shudhu Tumi, at the Arunachal Pradesh shooting sites, are also from Pantaloons.[6]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Premi

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Premi is a Indian Bengali-language romantic drama film directed by Rabi Kinagi. The story centers on two close friends who are aspiring football players; after a tragic leaves one of them disabled, the other takes on the burden of fulfilling their shared dreams while navigating a with a they both care for. Starring Jeet as Rahul, as Sumit, and in the lead female role, the film explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and against the backdrop of sports and personal adversity. Produced by Surinder Films and , it is a of the 2002 Telugu film , runs for 2 hours and 10 minutes, and was released in theaters on July 30, . The film received positive reception for its emotional depth and performances, earning an IMDb user rating of 6.9 out of 10 based on 10,235 votes (as of November 2025). Kinagi's direction, combined with screenplay contributions from Snehasis , highlights the resilience of human bonds in the face of loss, making Premi a notable entry in early Bengali cinema. It marked significant roles for its lead actors, particularly Jeet, who gained prominence through this sports-drama narrative infused with romance. While not achieving widespread international acclaim, Premi remains a culturally resonant work in regional Indian film, appreciated for its heartfelt storytelling and relatable character arcs.

Narrative and characters

Plot

"Premi" follows the story of and Sumit, two best friends who are passionate football players aspiring to professional success. Their bond is tested during a tragic in which Sumit heroically saves Rahul but sustains a severe leg injury that ends his football career permanently. Determined to honor his friend's sacrifice, vows to achieve Sumit's unfulfilled dreams by stepping into his role on the team, eventually rising to become the captain and leading the squad to prominence. Meanwhile, encounters Puja in a chance taxi ride, instantly falling in love with her vibrant personality and beginning a tentative romance marked by shared moments and growing affection. Complications arise when Puja misinterprets anonymous gestures of affection as coming from Sumit, leading to remain silent out of loyalty to his injured friend, thus creating layers of hidden identities and secret support. As continues to aid Sumit covertly while pursuing his football ambitions and concealing his true feelings for Puja, tensions build into conflicts that strain their friendship and romantic prospects. The explores themes of unwavering , personal sacrifice, and , culminating in the resolution of misunderstandings that allows and Puja to unite in marriage, affirming the triumph of honesty and loyalty.

Cast

The principal cast of Premi centers on an ensemble portraying themes of , injury, and romance among young adults. Jeet stars as , the supportive friend who emerges as the romantic lead, navigating personal relationships amid challenges in the football community. plays Sumit, a talented whose life is upended by a severe injury, highlighting resilience and dependency on close bonds. Chandana Sharma debuts in her first film role as Puja, the central love interest who brings emotional depth to the romantic subplot. Notable supporting roles include Mondal as Rahul's mother, providing familial grounding to the .

Production

Development

Premi is a 2004 Bengali romantic drama film that serves as an official of the 2002 Telugu film , directed by Paruchuri Murali and produced by . The project was initiated to adapt the original's themes of , , and romance for a Bengali audience, emphasizing emotional depth suitable for youth viewers. , a director with prior experience in Odia and Bengali cinema, helmed the project, marking one of his early notable entries in the Bengali film industry following his debut with Jibansangee in 1990 and subsequent works like Annadata in 2002. Kinagi contributed to the screenplay alongside dialogue writer Snehasis Chakraborty, ensuring the narrative retained the core emotional arcs while incorporating elements resonant with Bengali cultural sensibilities, such as heightened family dynamics and regional expressions of affection. The film was backed by production companies Surinder Films and (SVF), with the latter providing key financial and logistical support as a prominent Bengali banner. Surinder Films, known for remakes of South Indian successes, acquired the rights to to capitalize on its popularity in Tollywood. During , focused on rising stars to appeal to younger demographics, with Jeet selected for the lead role due to his established appeal in action-romance genres from prior hits like .

Filming

Principal photography for Premi commenced in 2004 and was primarily conducted in and its surrounding areas to capture both urban and sports-oriented scenes. The production team selected local football fields for the film's key sports sequences, leveraging the city's vibrant sporting culture, while city streets and settings were used to film the romantic elements, providing an authentic backdrop to the story's emotional dynamics. Filming faced challenges in coordinating action sequences that incorporated the plot's post-injury elements, requiring careful choreography to maintain realism without compromising actor safety, particularly for leads Jeet and portraying football players. Additionally, integrating debut actress into the ensemble demanded adjustments to ensure seamless performances amid the high-energy shoot. V. Probhakar adopted a dynamic style focused on youth-oriented visuals, using bright lighting and fluid camera movements to highlight the film's themes of passion and resilience.

Music

Composition

The music for the 2004 Bengali film Premi was composed by , marking his debut as a in Bengali cinema. An 18th-generation musician from a family of artists, Gannguli drew from his early influences, including and Sudhin , as well as his training in introduced by his mother at age five, to craft scores that blend traditional Bengali elements with modern sensibilities. His work on Premi faced initial criticism from directors skeptical of his fusion approach but ultimately became a massive musical hit, introducing a fresh color to Bengali film music. The consists of eight tracks produced in 2004, featuring a mix of romantic ballads and upbeat numbers designed to appeal to younger audiences while aligning with the film's romantic drama narrative. Gannguli's stylistic choices emphasized a fusion of contemporary Bengali pop rhythms with emotional, melody-driven compositions, creating cinematic songs that incorporate Eastern earthy tones and Western urban edges. This approach allowed the to subtly underscore the plot's exploration of friendship and without overpowering the storyline. Key vocalists included established artists such as , who lent his voice to the heartfelt track "Jar Chobi Ei Mon Eke Jay," and , who performed emotional solos like "Mone Rekho Amar Ei Gaan" and "Shotyi Shotyi Jodi Pori Hoi." Other notable contributors were and Shaan for upbeat segments like "Ek E Sathe Ek E Pothe," alongside and Jojo Nathaniel, selected for their ability to convey the songs' romantic and youthful energy. Gannguli's recording process involved brainstorming sessions with the director to ensure melodic integrity, often taking breaks to refine ideas under minimal pressure.

Track listing

The soundtrack album for Premi was released in 2004 by on audio cassette and CD formats. It consists of 8 tracks, all composed by .
No.TitleSinger(s)
1Pratham Premer Pratham ChowaShaan, ,
2Jar Chobi Ei Mon Eke Jay, Sadhana Sargam
3Mone Rekho Amar Ei Gaan (Female)
4Mone Rekho Amar Ei Gaan (Male)
5Ek E Sathe Ek E PotheShaan,
6Shotyi Shotyi Jodi Pori Hoi
7O Bandhure Bandhure Tor
8Eki Sathe Eki PotheShaan, Jojo Nathaniel

Release

Theatrical release

Premi was theatrically released on 30 July 2004 in India, with a primary focus on Bengali-speaking regions such as West Bengal. The distribution was handled by Shree Venkatesh Films, which targeted urban theaters and multiplexes to attract a youth audience. The film, in the Bengali language, runs for 130 minutes and received a U/A 7+ certification suitable for viewers above seven years with parental guidance. No specific premiere events were noted, emphasizing instead a standard cinematic rollout post-production.

Home media

Following its theatrical run, Premi was released on VCD by Eagle Video in , capitalizing on the growing popularity of formats for Bengali films at the time. A DVD edition followed in subsequent years. In subsequent years, the film became available digitally, with streaming options emerging on platforms catering to Bengali audiences. As of 2025, Premi is accessible on Hoichoi, a subscription-based service targeting global Bengali viewers. It has also appeared on international sites like Apple TV in select regions and for overseas streaming. The film's international distribution remains limited, primarily reaching Bengali diaspora communities through these digital channels rather than widespread physical exports. No remastered editions or special anniversary releases have been documented.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Premi garnered a mixed to positive critical response, praised for its fresh visual style and engaging romantic narrative that appealed particularly to younger audiences. Critics highlighted the film's innovative look and feel, distinguishing it from typical Bengali cinema of the era while noting its structural similarities to the 1991 Bollywood hit . The story of friendship, sacrifice, and romance was seen as smartly packaged, with the debut performance of adding charm to the proceedings. User ratings on reflect this sentiment, with an average score of 6.9 out of 10 based on 10,235 votes (as of November 2025), indicating solid appreciation for its emotional depth and lead performances, particularly Jeet's portrayal of the determined footballer. Some users noted a predictable plot influenced by familiar tropes from .

Box office

Premi had an average showing at the upon its release in 2004. The film, directed by Rabi Kinagi and starring Jeet and , targeted urban youth with its romantic drama narrative centered on and , but faced a mixed market environment in Tollywood that year, marked by a few hits like Ram Lakshman amid several underperformers. Specific earnings figures for the film are not publicly detailed, though it was considered a moderate grosser overall in an era when successful Bengali films typically ran for 4-6 weeks in theaters. Despite competition from other releases, its fresh visual style contributed to a positive reception among audiences, aiding its commercial viability.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4772906/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4772906/plotsummary
  3. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/premi_2004
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4772906/fullcredits
  5. https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/premi/umc.cmc.10u8pxlaaoghu23ld7a1fsdiz
  6. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/557987-premi
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4772906/plotsummary/
  8. https://letterboxd.com/film/premi/watch/
  9. https://alchetron.com/Premi
  10. https://www.hoichoi.tv/films/title/premi
  11. https://www.bilibili.tv/en/video/4794695770968064
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4772906/fullcredits/
  13. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/premi_2004/cast-and-crew
  14. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/ravi-kinagi/8728
  15. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/each-film-is-like-my-first-movie-ravi-kinagi/articleshow/11485184.cms
  16. https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2021/Dec/23/jeet-gannguli-traces-the-evolution-of-bengali-commercial-music-38022.html
  17. https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/king-of-the-chords/cid/472007
  18. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/jeet-gangulli-the-man-behind-6-superhit-tracks-of-aashiqui-2/
  19. https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/premi-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/AGSWTfKCEAs_
  20. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jeet-gannguli/499887404
  21. https://music.apple.com/us/album/premi-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1639334172
  22. https://www.discogs.com/release/26469008-Jeet-Ganguly-Premi
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4772906/releaseinfo/
  24. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/uttam-ray-ride-bengal-vcd-wave/articleshow/830319.cms
  25. https://simkl.com/movies/950004/premi
  26. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/premi
  27. https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/highs-and-lows-in-topsy-turvy-tollywood/cid/1262851
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