Huge crowds throng Minerva theater in Calcutta during 1965 for Utpal Dutt's play "Kallol." Based on the Royal Indian Navy mutiny of 1946, the play earned the wrath of the then West Bengal government (1/5) 
The Mutiny was and remains a largely forgotten episode in both India & Pakistan and the authorities weren't happy with Dutt basing his play on this incident (2/5)
Initially, leading news dailies like Statesman, Amrita Bazar, Jugantor & Dainik Basumati refused to carry adverts for the play without citing any reason to the creators & organizers (3/5)
However, so strong was the word of mouth that despite no advertisements, the play ran houseful show after show. Legend has that a police officer had smuggled out a copy of Shahadat Ali's banned book on the revolt from police HQ & handed it to Dutt (4/5)
The book had been banned by the British administration & had remained blacklisted post independence as well. On 23rd September, 1965, Utpal Dutt was arrested and remained in jail for almost 7 months. The play was also banned (5/5)
Story & picture credits: Purono Kolkatar Golpo (Facebook group) / Shri Probal Dasgupta / Shri Umasankar Chakraborty
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