#Exclusive: Debshankar to play Mahasweta Devi’s husband in her biopic

Thespian Debshankar Halder will be seen playing Gargee RoyChowdhury’s husband in Mahananda, a biopic on Mahasweta Devi. Directed by Arindam Sil, the names of the characters have been changed in the film. While Mahasweta will be called Mahananda (Gargee), her husband, famous playwright Bijan Bhattacharya (Debshankar), will be called Bidhan Bhattacharya in the film.
“I wanted to get an actor who should understand theatre.Also, it was imminent to get someone who is mature enough. Who could be a better choice than Debshankar? I have been wanting to work with him for a while but our dates never matched before. This time, it clicked. And Debshankar said that the character intrigued him for its seriousness and complexities,” said Arindam. The actor met the director on Tuesday. Mahananda will go on the floors on April 12. The shooting will take place in Kolkata, Birbhum, Jhansi, Gujarat and Odisha.
The film was announced more than a year ago. However, things got postponed due to the pandemic. “After much turbulence we have started our work and I am really looking forward to completing it. It is one of my dream projects. Ayan Sil will work with me as the DOP,” Arindam said.