Nandan set to screen Anik Dutta’s ‘banned’ film after his death

Kolkata: If all went well, at least two of the seven feature films made by Anik Dutta would shortly be screened at Nandan 1, actor and BJP MLA Rudranil Ghosh told TOI on Friday.Only one among the feature films, made by Dutta, has been screened at the state-run Nandan complex, in Auditorium 2. None could make it to the main Auditorium 1. Many who attended Dutta’s funeral on Friday described the non-screening of Dutta’s films at the state theatre complex as “cancel culture” and raised questions about why the Nandan screening committee never considered any of his films worthy of screening. “We had applied for screening at Nandan but the film never got a slot. Some other films were running then. We were not told why our film didn’t get the slot,” said ‘Bhooter Bhobisyot’ producer Joy B Ganguly.“We had applied for the screening of ‘Aparajito’ at Nandan but received no response. It was the centenary year of Satyajit Ray. Screening this tribute film to Ray was important. Yet, that didn’t happen. ‘Joto Kando Kolkatae’ was screened at Nandan 2. It was a disgrace to select it for that auditorium,” said producer Firdasul Hasan who produced Dutta’s ‘Aparajito’, ‘Meghnad Badh Rahasya’ and ‘Joto Kando Kolkatatei’.As rain lashed the city on Friday, Dutta’s photo, with the state govt’s floral tribute, was brought inside Nandan. For many, that, too, became symbolic of the govt’s proactive steps to pay respect to Dutta’s films. “Following our chief minister’s instructions, talks began with the department of information and cultural affairs on Wednesday. Preliminary talks have begun with the producers of ‘Aparajito’ and ‘Bhobisyater Bhoot’,” Ghosh told TOI.The dates for screening are yet to be determined. “As the producers are the main right-holders, their decisions are crucial in finalising the dates. Nandan and our department of information and broadcasting are ready. The final meeting will happen soon,” Ghosh added.When asked about his take on such a proposal, producer Ganguly said, “I have no problems if ‘Bhooter Bhobisyot’ is also screened at Nandan as a tribute to Anik Dutta. Rudranil has discussed it with me. I would be happy to screen it.”Hasan said, “Our chief minister has been informed about the issue. I had a word with Rudranil, too. We plan an ‘Anik Dutta Week’ at Nandan with the screening of three films. Two of them will be ‘Aparajito’ and ‘Bhobisyoter Bhoot’. The third film could be ‘Meghnad Badh Rahasya’. The dates are yet to be finalised,” he said.Costume designer Suchismita Dasgupta, who worked in five of Dutta’s films, said, “Even when ‘Barunbabur Bondhu’ was selected in KIFF, it was screened somewhere in Salt Lake, not at Nandan. I don’t believe in afterlife. I would have been happy if he lived to see it. Now it’s too late. It might give us a sense of satisfaction but he deserved it in his lifetime.”