Debi revisited!

Spread across Bengal ��������� from Kathgola Rajbari in Murshidabad to Tarapith, Bolpur, and beyond, the story narrates the life of one of the strongest characters in Bengali literature. This ain���������t a film���������s opening narrative but how Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay���������s masterpiece, Debi Choudhurani, is being revisited on Rupashi Bangla as the megaserial ��������� ���������Profullo���������.
So, what makes this show different from the regular literary adaptations? Says director Sanjay Guha, ���������Our show is different because we have tried to go beyond what is there on print and rediscover the legendary character of Profullo from her childhood ��������� much before she went on to become Debi Choudhurani. Profullo���������s character was an inspiration for hundreds of women who had emerged out of their homes to participate in India���������s freedom struggle. To retain the ambience of the pre-independence era, we have shot this serial in the palaces of Murshidabad and used 300-year-old antique furniture apart from elephants and horses. It was like shooting for a period film.���������
Apparently, some of the leading actors in the show were trained in horse riding and martial arts to help them fit into their roles. Says Bhaskar Roy, executive producer of the show, ���������The show has been shot extensively throughout half of Bangla. We trained some of the key characters in martial arts and horse riding, so they look convincing on screen. As far as we know, till date no other regular megaserial in Bangla television has seen such level of production for their daily shows.���������
Roy adds that this show is different from other regular TV adaptations of literature because it is not a frame-toframe melodramatic translation of the popular saga and seeks to discover the hidden subtext of the novel.
Diya Chakraborty, 15, who plays the teenage Profullo, says, ���������Sanjay sir had told me in the very beginning that our adaptation would try to answer all the unanswered questions in Bankim Chandra���������s novel. Although a dream role for any actor, it was challenging nonetheless.���������
Actor Lily Chakraborty, who plays the role of Brahmopishi, says, ���������I���������ve acted in numerous soaps as well as literary adaptations like ���������Chokher Bali���������. But this is the first time I���������m working in a serial which is being made in the format of a period film. I was intrigued by my character, a teacher in the pre-independence era. More such literary adaptations should be made on TV, because works of geniuses like Tagore, Sarat Chandra and Bankim are timeless.���������
���������Profullo���������, which starts today, will be aired Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Rupashi Bangla.