Prasun Chatterjee’s Dostojee bags an award in Japan

Prasun Chatterjee’s 2021 film Dostojee, which had its world premiere at the 65th BFI London Film Festival, just had a private screening for teachers, at a city auditorium. The film, which is set after the destruction of India's Babri Mosque, stars Jayati Chakraborty, Anujoy Chattopadhyay and Swatilekha Kundu. It follows the story of two 8-year-old boys who have to navigate a growing religious divide.The film was also screened at the Goteborg Film Festival, Jeonju International Film Festival, Nara International Film Festival (where it won the top prize, the Golden SHIKA Award), Zlin Film Festival, Busan International Kids and Youth Film Festival (BIKY), International Competition at Festival Nits de cinema oriental de Vic, International Competition at 27th La Matatena and the 43rd Durban International Film Festival.
“To date, the film has premiered in 26 festivals all over the world. It has bagged 7 international awards. My film is the fifth Indian film and the first Bengali film to bag an award at CIFEJ, which is supported by UNESCO. The film bagged the top prize at Japan’s Nara International Film Festival. They are also funding a film which I will hopefully be directing. However, the story will most likely focus on Japan,” said Prasun.
So, what works for the film, we ask the director. “I guess the teamwork. And the two boys — Arif and Asik, who play the lead characters in the film. They are brilliant,” shared the director. “We are planning a pan-India release next month, let’s see. I got an offer to direct a film in Mumbai but I also want to make a Bengali film on a large scale and I am working on it,” he added.