Tolly’s battle over Binoy-Badal-Dinesh

Tollywood isn’t unknown to box-office wars and fights over getting proper shows in theatres. Filmmakers have also competed over who will win the award as the best Byomkesh Bakshi adaptation-director. For reasons unknown, the attention has shifted from fictional characters to firebrand freedom fighters. At least, four directors are making three films on Binoy, Badal and Dinesh’s attack on the Writers’ Building in 1930. Before the martyrs’ stories get adapted on the silver screen, we find that there is no love lost between the major players in this new-screen war.NOT AWARE OF OTHERS: ANJAN DUTTMy film is called Operation Writers. It’s about the three Bengali firebrand freedom fighters Binoy, Badal and Dinesh and their gun-battle against the British in front of the Writers’ Building in 1930. The film also focuses on the training they received from other unsung heroes of the freedom struggle.What inspired you to make the film: It’s a book I stumbled upon on the Bengal Volunteers — founded by Hem Chandra Bose and supported by Netaji. I’m stunned by my past — the fact that Bengalis were such great fighters.Shooting location: Kolkata Cast: Abir Chatterjee as Binoy, Arjun Chakrabarty as Badal and Anirban Bhattacharya as Dinesh Shooting starts in: January 2019 Release date: August 15, 2019 Message to other directors: I’m not aware which director is making what. I’m concentrating on my own film Anyone you feel is your competition regarding this film: As I said, I’m not aware who is making whatTwo years back, had first announced this film: DevI don’t want to comment on anything and concentrate on my work. Let the audience do all the talking. Two years back, I was the one who announced that I am making a film on Binoy, Badal, Dinesh. It’s a very difficult script, as a lot of research needs to be done before the film goes on the floor. I will sit with the script next month. Yes, I heard other directors are making films on the same subject. All I can say is:‘Bhalo, mongol hok sobar’. But all said and done,I was the first proponent of this idea, so that’s it.Manas Mukul PalMy film is mainly a biopic of Dinesh. Binoy and Badal are obviously a part of it. It primarily focuses on why and what prompted Dinesh, a young boy of 19, to join the freedom movement. The film will show Dinesh’s journey and reveal many unknown facts about him. Since so many directors are planning to make a film on the subject, I am not ready to disclose the title in this chaos. What inspired him to make the film: I find people are too self-centred today and think only about their own well-being. The love for others is slowly dying. But these freedom fighters fought for the country and for their unconditional love for others. This very fact inspired me.Shooting locations: Kolkata and parts of MidnaporeCast: Fresh actors will play Binoy, Badal and Dinesh. Rest of the cast will be decided laterShooting starts in: January 2019Release date: Not decided yetMessage for other directors: It’s surprising to see this sudden interest in Binoy, Badal and Dinesh. But I am not concerned with why and what others are making. I believe my film will prove that my research — which began some three years back — has been thorough. I had begun writing the script of this film even before Sahaj Paather Gappo . However, it is juvenile to claim ownership over this subject. All I can say is that I am so passionate about this film that I rejected at least 10 other film offers so that I could concentrate on this. I don’t care about other annoucements. Ultimately, it is the content of my film that will do the talking. Anyone you feel is your competition regarding this film: I am not bothered about competition in Tollywood. I am looking at making a film that will appeal to the global audience.Aniket ChattopadhayI was the first to write a script on Binoy, Badal and Dinesh, but got busy with Kabir and Hoichoi Unlimited. But now, I’ll sit with the script, as I have already approached Kamal (Kamaleswar) to direct it. I’ll be the creative director of the film. What inspired you to make the film: The three went to Writers’ Building keeping a specific mission in mind and not many know about it. That, along with my love for our freedom movement, inspired me. Not many know that I’m writing a biopic on Bagha Jatin too, as the freedom struggle by our fighters should be highlighted.Shooting location: Dhaka, Kolkata, Bihar and north BengalCast: Not decided, but Dev will play a pivotal roleShooting starts in: Mid-FebruaryRelease date: Not decided yet; it’s too early to commentMessage to other directors: One should be true to history while making a film on Binoy, Badal and DineshAnyone you feel is your competition regarding this film: No one. As neither Binoy nor Badal or Dinesh used to play guitar in north Bengal (laughs)Kamleswar MukherjeeAniket Chattopadhay wrote the script, titled Binoy Badol Dinesh, and wanted me to direct it. It’s an interesting story that traces their freedom struggle. But after that, both of us got busy with our projects, so we didn’t have the time to sit with the script for further discussions. We may very soon. It will be a high-budget film with lots of computer graphics. A lot of research too is required to make a film on the trio, as people are very sensitive about history and especially them.What inspired you to make the film: The freedom movement has always inspired me and the trio’s action still gives me goosebumpsShooting locations: Not decided Cast: Not decidedShooting starts in: Not decidedRelease date: Let the film roll; only then we can talk about release dateMessage to other directors: Best wishes to each one of themAnyone you feel is your competition regarding this film: Films can’t be made keeping competition in mind. To each his own, and I’m sure all will have their own viewpoints