Tollywood Roundup: Bengali celebs and movies which made headlines this week

Whether it’s the slight change in Aparna Sen’s ‘Ghawre Bairey’ reboot, West Bengali government’s latest decision on Bengali movie screening in multiplexes, Abir Chatterjee’s love for his ‘Byomkesh’ image or Jisshu Sengupta clearing out all the rumours about him playing Feluda to Srijit Mukherji’s failed attempt to make a biopic on Swapna Barman; it was a week full of rumours and exciting news from the Tollywood industry. Here is a look at Bengali cinema's 10 of the most exciting news from this week.

Good news for Bengali cinema. West Bengal cinema halls and multiplexes will have to screen one Bengali film for a minimum of 120 days in a year from now on according to the latest state government notification. Director Aniket Chattopadhyay was quick to welcome the decision as he wrote on Facebook, "It is big news. In every multiplex of West Bengal, a Bengali film has to be screened from 12 to 9 pm in minimum one screen... Thank you Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.”

Dev’s upcoming comedy caper ‘Hoichoi unlimited’ has already become a hit even before its release. But Aniket Chattopadhyay directorial has suddenly hit a roadblock. We hear the censor board has some objections for the use of the word ‘Uttar Pradesh’ in the film and they have suggested omitting the particular word from the film. Obviously this hasn’t gone well with ‘Hoichoi Unlimited’ director Aniket Chattopadhyay as he says there are no such dialogues that hurt the sentiment of Uttar Pradesh. However, Dev has agreed to mute the word ‘Uttar Pradesh’ in his film.

Shagupta Rafique's directorial debut ‘Taxi Driver’ has just been announced. Interestingly, everyone was eagerly waiting for ‘Seven’, the horror flick as Rafique was supposed to make her directorial debut with it. But, later the makers decided to make a romantic-thriller first while ‘Seven’ has been pushed back for now. Now rumour has it Nusrat Jahan is a bit disappointed and not happy with this latest development. The beautiful actress was roped in to essay out the female lead in ‘Seven’ opposite Yash Dasgupta. Although Yash is still the common choice in both the movies, Nusrat has been replaced by Mimi Chakraborty in the romantic thriller ‘Taxi Driver’.

Dev turned a producer only last year and since then the superstar has delivered unique content driven films such as ‘Chaamp’, ‘Cockpit’, and ‘Kabir’. His next film titled ‘Hoichoi Unlimited’ is set to release this Durga Puja. Speaking about the film and the unique promotional activities he is carrying out for the film, an elated Dev revealed "I got calls from even Red Chillies Entertainment. They are also keen to know how we cracked it. Our promo campaigns have become a huge success. We are planning to set the mood for a vibrant Durga Puja. I can assure ‘Hoichoi Unlimited’ will spread lots of happiness and laughter this Puja.”

‘Ek Je Chhilo Raja’ will be Anjan Dutt’s second film with director Srijit Mukherji this year after the stupendous success of ‘Uma’. In the upcoming court room drama, based on the Bhawal sanyasi court case, Anjan Dutt will be seen as a fierce lawyer. The actor-director says despite their fair share of differences, he likes to work with Srijit: “See, any good relationship will have its love-hate moments. I have always been a choosy actor and Srijit likes the actor in me. Yes, we had our share of problems, but despite all these, we really like working with each other. I believe by far ‘Ek Je Chhilo Raja’ is by far Srijit’s most well made film.”

Abir Chatterjee has played Byomkesh Bakshi in both Anjan Dutt and Arindam Sil’s films. He has become symbolic to the iconic sleuth winning many a million hearts. While with Anjan Dutt he has done ‘Byomkesh Bakshi’, ‘Abar Byomkesh’ and ‘Byomkesh Phire Elo’, Arindam Sil and Abir bonding over Byomkesh films started with ‘Har Har Byomkesh’ in 2015. Then is 2016 released ‘Byomkesh Pawrbo’. After a long gap of two years he will once again be seen as the Satyanweshi in Arindam Sil’s Puja Release ‘Byomkesh Gowtro’. While sharing his experience of working with both these directors, Abir said he will always be thankful to Anjan Dutt for casting him as Byomkesh for the first time: “I am thankful Anjan Dutt for finding out the Byomkesh image in me. He gave me the role when I was just one movie old. The conviction and faith he showed in a newcomer was fascinating.”

While Tollywood is abuzz on who will play the next Feluda in Sandip Ray’s next installment of the iconic sleuth Jisshu Sengupta has confirmed that he hasn’t received any offer to essay out Feluda’s character. Only a few months back there were rumours about Jisshu playing the iconic sleuth in the next film. Sandip Ray will make next Feluda movie based on Satyajit Ray's 'Chinnomastar Obhishap' and speculation is rife he is looking for a new Feluda. However, Jisshu has said he would definitely look into the offer if it comes in future.

Subhash Sarkar, the personal trainer of Asian Games gold medalist Swapna Barman, has already refused an offer from a renowned Bengali filmmaker for a biopic on the athlete. Now we know who had approached Subhash Sarkar for the biopic. Swapna has revealed that it was director Srijit Mukherji who had reached out to her while she was in Jakarta. During a recent media interaction, the heptathlon athlete said: “I was on my way to meet a dentist when Srijit Mukherji called me. I have watched Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ (2013) earlier and was wondering whether my life will be able to inspire a director to make a biopic. I was really happy to receive the offer but Srijit Mukherji hasn’t called me again since I returned to Kolkata.”

Director Aparna Sen is all geared up for her return to Bengali cinema. Produced by SVF, her next venture is a modern day take on Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Ghawre Bairey’. Initially the film was tentatively titled as ‘E Juger Ghawre Bairey’, but now we hear there has been a little change in the title and it’s now ‘Ghawre Bairey Aaj’. While Anirban Bhattacharya will be seen as Nikhilesh Jisshu Sengupta will essay the character of Sandip. Young actress Tuhina Das has been cast as Brinda, a modern take on the character Bimala.

The undeniable effects of historical and political events on people’s lives come alive in a short film ‘Mind The Gap’ directed by talented filmmaker Ananya Das. It also rediscovers the roots of the agonies countless Bangladeshi people faced during the 1971 Liberation War. While speaking about the shortie, the aspiring filmmaker says for her, it’s like paying homage to the lives lost and the struggle for one’s identity during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Ananya Das has lived and worked in Dhaka for a long time and is right now researching on the Bengali Identity in Bangladesh and its Diaspora in the UK.