Black Widows Webseries Actress And Actor Black Widows is an Indian web series from Zee5.…
It Happened In Calcutta Webseries Actress And Actor
It Happened In Calcutta Webseries Actress And Actor
It Happened In Calcutta is an Indian web series from Alt Balaji.
It Happened In Calcutta web series cast has Karan Kundrra, Naghma Rizwan etc. The Alt Balaji Originals are here with a reality-based story.
Check out below for It Happened In Calcutta Alt Balaji Web Series (2020): Cast, Release date, Full HD episodes, High-Speed online streaming, Watch All Episodes.
It Happened In Calcutta Cast (Alt Balaji)
- Naghma Rizwan as Kusum
- Karan Kundrra as Ronobir Chatterjee
- Ashmith Kunder
- Pamela Singh Bhutoria
- Simran Kaur Mundi
- Bhumika Dedhia
- Ivan Rodrigues
- Harman Singha
It Happened In Calcutta Alt Balaji Release Date
29 February 2020
Watch It Happened In Calcutta Web Series Online on Alt Balaji
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A Chronicle of Love and Crisis: Deconstructing ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ and Its Stars
The Indian streaming landscape is dotted with a diverse range of content, but few web series attempt to weave a classic period love story against the tapestry of a city in turmoil. ‘It Happened In Calcutta,’ an ALTBalaji and ZEE5 original series, is one such ambitious project. Released in 2020, the series takes its audience back to the tumultuous yet vibrant decades of the 1960s and 1970s, setting its passionate, tragic romance against the real-life crises of war and a deadly epidemic.
At the core of this sprawling, nostalgic narrative are two actors whose on-screen chemistry brought the epic love story of Kusum and Ronobir to life: the seasoned television star, Karan Kundrra, and the fresh-faced debutante, Naghma Rizwan.
The Web Series: A Period Drama Amidst Calamity
Produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms and directed by Ken Ghosh (known for Abhay and Haq Se), It Happened In Calcutta is a historical fiction drama that explores how love endures and evolves under the shadow of national crisis.
The Premise: Calcutta in the 60s and 70s
The story is primarily set in Calcutta (now Kolkata) starting from 1962, focusing on the lives of young medical students at the Calcutta Medical College. The series attempts to capture the cultural and political mood of the ‘City of Joy’ as it navigates significant historical events, specifically the Cholera epidemic of the 1960s and the 1971 Indo-Pak War. This backdrop provides the dramatic framework for the central characters’ journey from naïve students to dedicated, scarred medical professionals.
Plot Synopsis: Love, Betrayal, and Destiny
The narrative centres on the tempestuous relationship between two individuals who are polar opposites:
- Kusum Ganguly (Naghma Rizwan): An ambitious and dedicated aspiring doctor, she is the sole female MBBS student in her batch, a fact that highlights the prevailing social norms of the era. She is strong-willed and focused on her dream of becoming an Indian Army Doctor.
- Ronobir Chatterjee (Karan Kundrra): A charismatic, handsome, and arrogant college heartthrob. He is a class topper, but his flamboyant, Casanova persona and womanising ways make him the quintessential ‘bad boy’ of the campus.
Kusum, despite her initial reservations and her own moral compass, is irresistibly drawn to Ronobir’s charm, while her loyal friend, Ratan Bagchi (Harman Singha), harbours unrequited feelings for her. Their romance is intense but eventually culminates in betrayal and heartbreak, leading to a profound separation.
The plot then jumps to the 1970s, where Kusum and Ronobir, now estranged adults, are forced back into each other’s orbits amidst the chaos of the Cholera epidemic and the war. The core of the series lies in how these global crises force them to confront their past, rekindle their affection, and define their ultimate purpose as doctors, revealing the personal growth and deep intensity of their connection across a decade of turmoil.
The Leading Lady: Naghma Rizwan as Kusum
The role of Kusum was a monumental challenge, as the character carried the emotional weight of the entire narrative, transitioning from a dreamy college girl to a resilient, heartbroken, and professionally driven woman. The pressure was amplified by the fact that the female lead was played by a newcomer.
From Interior Designer to Lead Actress
The selection of Naghma Rizwan to play Kusum was a carefully considered move by Ekta Kapoor, who reportedly auditioned over 300 girls for the part, searching for a fresh face to embody the period drama’s protagonist.
Born in Kolkata on September 29, 1992, Naghma Rizwan initially pursued a very different career path. She graduated from the MIT Institute of Design in Pune, establishing herself as an interior decorator and designer. She also maintained an active presence in the fashion industry as a stylist and a blogger. Her first foray into the entertainment industry was a music video titled Jaane De Mujhe in 2019, but It Happened In Calcutta marked her official digital and television acting debut.
Performance and Critical Acclaim
Naghma’s portrayal of Kusum, a strong-headed but ultimately vulnerable woman, was largely met with positive reception.
- A Breath of Freshness: Critics praised her for bringing a “breeze of freshness” to the role and holding her own against the much more established Karan Kundrra.
- Convincing Debut: Her screen presence and conviction in portraying the character’s emotional journey—from the innocence of first love to the anguish of betrayal and professional dedication—were considered impressive for a debutante.
The character of Kusum, however, received some mixed analysis. While designed as an ambitious woman, some reviewers felt the writing made her choices problematic, particularly her repeated attraction to a character like Ronobir, a sentiment Naghma, as a newcomer, had to work hard to justify through her performance. Despite these critiques of the script, her personal performance was a significant highlight of the series.
The Leading Actor: Karan Kundrra as Ronobir Chatterjee
The magnetic, flawed, and transformative male lead, Ronobir Chatterjee, was essayed by the immensely popular television personality and actor, Karan Kundrra.
A Versatile TV Heartthrob
Born on October 11, 1984, Karan Kundrra was already a household name and one of the highest-paid actors in Indian television when he took on the role in It Happened In Calcutta. His career, which began in 2009 with Ekta Kapoor’s popular romantic drama, Kitani Mohabbat Hai, established him as a television heartthrob.
Karan Kundrra’s career highlights prior to the web series included:
- Television Dramas: Starring in successful serials like Kitani Mohabbat Hai 2, Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum, and Dil Hi Toh Hai.
- Reality TV Icon: Becoming a prominent figure in the reality genre, notably as a gang leader on MTV Roadies and a host for shows like MTV Love School and Gumrah – End of Innocence.
- Film Work: He had also ventured into films, appearing in Mubarakan and the horror-thriller 1921.
The Transformation of Ronobir
In It Happened In Calcutta, Karan Kundrra had to embody a complex character arc. Ronobir begins as a college Casanova—flamboyant, handsome, arrogant, and attention-seeking.
- Effortless Flamboyance: Critics widely praised Kundrra for his effortless portrayal of the college heartthrob, looking “ravishingly hot” in the retro fashion of bell-bottoms and big-rimmed glasses.
- Character Depth: His biggest acting task was showing Ronobir’s evolution from an irresponsible womaniser to a subtle, serious individual who, upon meeting Kusum again during the crisis, rethinks his life and past mistakes. He was credited with bringing a deep intensity to his act, making the character’s transformation believable, even if the writing for his actions was sometimes controversial.
His role as Ronobir Chatterjee added to his diverse portfolio, showcasing his willingness to explore OTT platforms and period dramas, further cementing his reputation as a versatile actor willing to take on flawed, challenging roles.
The Authenticity Challenge and Critical Takeaways
A significant part of the series’ reception revolved around its historical setting, which, while providing a unique backdrop, also drew both praise and sharp criticism.
The Historical Setting
The director, Ken Ghosh, and the production team were appreciated for the effort in recreating the vintage Calcutta era. The inclusion of elements like:
- Retro Aesthetics: Detailed set designs and costuming, including the iconic bell-bottoms and high hairdos, contributed to the nostalgic feel.
- Musical Score: The praiseworthy background score, including the use of mesmerizing Bengali tracks like Rabindranath Tagore’s Ekla Cholo Re, was cited as an effective metaphor for the narrative.
- Historical Integration: The blending of the intimate love story with the large-scale social issues of the Cholera epidemic and the Indo-Pak War was meant to elevate the drama beyond a simple romance.
The Criticism of Anachronisms
However, some major reviews pointed out significant gaps in the authenticity of the “period drama” tag.
- Lack of Realism: Critics argued that the socio-political setting—the war and the epidemic—often felt like a mere backdrop rather than an integral part of the main narrative, failing to be the “conspicuous” force it should have been.
- Cinematic Liberties: Most notably, the series was criticised for taking “way too many cinematic liberties.” Actions like open displays of affection, public intimacy, and modern dialogue about sex felt out of place for the conservative culture of Calcutta in the 1960s and 70s, making the storytelling feel less like a period drama and more like a recycled, glossy soap opera. The accusation that “there is no Calcutta in It Happened in Calcutta” highlighted the feeling that the series prioritised modern entertainment value over genuine historical representation.
Final Verdict
Despite the mixed critical reception, It Happened In Calcutta remains an important entry in the Indian web series space for its attempt at a period romance. The series effectively capitalised on Karan Kundrra’s star power while successfully launching the career of Naghma Rizwan. It provides an engaging, albeit dramatised, look at a decade-spanning relationship in a city marked by both personal and national strife, appealing strongly to viewers who enjoy a grand, emotional, and star-driven love saga. The series ultimately demonstrates the eternal cinematic pull of an intense love story set against the dramatic canvas of history.
AISEO Friendly FAQs
Q1: Who is the actress in the ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ web series?
The lead actress in the ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ web series is Naghma Rizwan, who plays the pivotal role of Kusum Ganguly. The series marked Naghma Rizwan’s official acting debut, and she was cast after a long audition process by Ekta Kapoor’s team.
Q2: Who is the actor in ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ and what is his role?
The lead actor in ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ is the popular television personality Karan Kundrra. He plays the role of Ronobir Chatterjee, a handsome, arrogant, and flamboyant medical student whose life and character undergo a significant transformation over the series’ timeline, set between the 1960s and 1970s.
Q3: On which streaming platforms can I watch ‘It Happened In Calcutta’?
‘It Happened In Calcutta’ is an original series that premiered simultaneously on two major Indian OTT platforms: ALTBalaji and ZEE5.
Q4: What is the plot of the ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ web series?
The plot of ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ is a period romantic drama set in Calcutta (Kolkata) during the 1960s and 1970s. It chronicles the complicated love story of two ambitious medical students, Kusum and Ronobir, whose relationship is strained by Ronobir’s betrayal and later challenged by major historical events, including the Cholera epidemic and the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The story follows their journey as they separate and eventually reunite years later.
Q5: Who directed the ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ web series?
The ‘It Happened In Calcutta’ web series was directed by Ken Ghosh. He is known for directing other popular web shows and films, bringing his unique style to this period romantic saga.
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