Through the microcosmic perspectivising of a group of devoted and uncompromising IPTA workers, Ghatak with his signature style touches on varied issues of partition, idealism, corruption, the interdependence of art and life, the scope of art, and class-struggle.

The Cloud-Capped Star is an epic drama that revolves around a poverty-stricken family in Calcutta during the partition of Bengal. It tells the story of a young woman who faces numerous challenges and sacrifices herself for her family's survival. With themes of unrequited love, betrayal, and the struggles of refugees, this movie explores the despair and hardships of life in Calcutta.

Subarnarekha is a heart-wrenching story set in the 1960s, following the journey of a man and his sister as they face the harsh realities of casteism, refugee life, and the challenges of their circumstances. Love, grief, and hope intertwine as they navigate through a world filled with obstacles, symbolized by a river that brings both sorrow and salvation.