Bhobisyoter Bhoot screening cancelled at Kolkata’s Nandan amidst Aparajito extension

KOLKATA: In a bitter twist of fate for Anik Dutta’s controversially “banned” film, ‘Bhobisyoter Bhoot’ (BB), a planned tribute screening at Kolkata’s Nandan screening complex has been abruptly cancelled.'Repeated calls from TOI to Nandan CEO went unanswered. On June 3, the film’s producer, Kalyanmoy Chatterjee, had announced on social media that the movie would run from June 8 to June 11 at 6.30 pm. “Firstly, I never approached Nandan. Firdausul Hasan, the producer of ‘Aparajito’, asked for my consent and I agreed,” said ChatterjeeAfter arranging the digital projection logistics, he shared the news on the film’s Facebook page, where fans initially managed to secure tickets. However, the booking link was suddenly deactivated. “I was told that since ‘Aparajito’ is doing well, it will be continued. It is a strange logic! People should start questioning such arbitrary decisions,” Chatterjee addedDistributor Shyamal Dutta said, “The entire coordination was being done by Hasan. I went to the premiere of ‘Aparajito’ and saw that the standee of ‘BB’ was placed in front of Nandan. I also spoke to the Nandan CEO about wanting to organise a small tribute event before the first screening of ‘BB’. She agreed. Later, I came to know about the extension of ‘Aparajito’. We have no news of what will happen to the screening of ‘BB’,” he added.Hasan said, “There was an overwhelming demand for ‘Aparajito’ and all three shows from Friday to Sunday went houseful. I spoke to the producer of ‘BB’ and it was mutually decided that ‘Aparajito’ would continue. The authorities then decided to extend the shows.” Costume designer Suchismita Dasgupta, said, “‘BB’ has a lot of things that BJP won’t like. Anik-da would not have liked to be an instrument in the hands of BJP against TMC.”“I heard it was the producers’ mutual decision since ‘Aparajito’ was getting houseful shows. We believe Nandan has been able to give due respect to Anik Dutta,” said actor and BJP MLA Rudranil Ghosh.