His 2019 Puja release ‘Mitin Mashi’ was lapped up by ones and all. Now,
Arindam Sil is back with his next project. Titled ‘Mahananda’, the film will be based on the life and work of author and activist
Mahashweta Devi
who had devoted decades of her life to uplift tribals, especially the Lodha and the Shabar communities of West Bengal.
It will surely be an interesting film given the significance of the late activist on Bengal’s history. However, the critically acclaimed director insists it’s not a biopic, rather it’s more on
Mahasweta Devi
’s work and literature.
“It is not on Mahasweta Devi’s life alone. It’s more on her work and literature. She is a cult figure in her own right, and we will just try to capture that on screen. As Bengalis, we should be immensely proud of her work, but hardly anyone discusses or talks about that. There are a few papers on Mahasweta Devi’s contribution to Bengali literature and society in American universities. But I have my doubts about whether her work is taught here. All her life she fought for the rights of the tribals, and most of her literature also reflects their struggles. We have never really been able to give her work the rightful place it deserves. Her movement is a continuous process in society that the younger generation should be aware of that. Also, in more ways than, she one is the true icons of women’s lib and gender equality. In Mahananda, we will show her work from the IPTA (Indian People’s Theatre Association) movement until the time she grew old. But we will not show her death, to depict the continuity of her work,” explained Arindam giving a brief idea about his film.
While Gargee Roychowdhury will be seen as Mahasweta Devi, the rest of the cast includes Ishaa Saha and
Gaurav Chakrabarty in pivotal roles. While music will be composed by
Bickram Ghosh, the script is co-written by Subhendu Dasmunshi and Arindam Sil.
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