Internationally Acclaimed Filmmaker Suman Mukhopadhyay Named Randolph College’s 2026–27 Quillian Visiting International Scholar

Suman Mukhopadhyay

Internationally acclaimed director, writer, and filmmaker Suman Mukhopadhyay will serve as Randolph College’s Quillian Visiting International Scholar for the 2026–27 academic year.

Mukhopadhyay’s work has been featured in prestigious artistic venues across India, Europe, and the United States, and he has received numerous major fellowships, including the Fulbright- Nehru Fellowship at Columbia University in 2022. He also served as a George A. Miller Visiting Artist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“Randolph College has a long tradition of international engagement and providing students with opportunities to learn in the wider world,” said Randolph President Sue Ott Rowlands. “Our endowed Quillian Visiting International Scholar residency exemplifies that commitment. Quillian Scholars teach multiple classes, share their scholarship and creative work with the campus and local community, and engage deeply with faculty, staff, and students. Suman is an exceptional choice, and his talents and expertise will greatly enrich our students’ experience.”

Since 2005, Mukhopadhyay has directed more than nine feature films, including Chaturanga (4 Parts, 2009) and Herbert (2008), both recipients of multiple national and international awards.

His films have been screened throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. In 2020, his film Nazarband (Captive) premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, and his 2024 feature, The Puppet’s Tale, based on a novel by Manik Bandyopadhyay, was elected for the Big Screen Competition at the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Before his career in film, Mukhopadhyay was a leading figure in the Bengali theatre scene, earning top honors from both the Indian Drama Academy and the West Bengal Theatre Academy. He has directed and performed in adaptations of Chekhov, Brecht, Max Frisch, and Klaus Mann, as well as original works based on Bengali and Hindi texts.

Beyond his creative work, Mukhopadhyay has been a prominent voice in India’s cultural and academic circles. He has served on the Academic Council of the National School of Drama (New Delhi), the Expert Committee of Performing Arts for India’s Ministry of Culture, and the Board of Trustees of the Kolkata Museum of Modern Art. In 2003, he represented India at the Prague Quadrennial, and he remains an active contributor to literary and cultural columns in major Bengali newspapers.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Suman to the Randolph community,” Ott Rowlands added. “His deep engagement with the sociopolitical domain and his critical exploration of contemporary life align beautifully with the liberal arts education we provide. His expertise will not only enhance our new film and video major but also offer unique perspectives for students in theatre and across disciplines.”