Uncertainty looms over Datta’s shoot

The controversy surrounding Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed may have died down in the election heat. But even after the polls are over and results declared, there is no news on restarting the shoot of his film, Datta. Though the film’s schedule was supposed to get back on track from June, director Nirmal Charkraborty said he cannot decide on anything until the controversy gets over. “We are not thinking of replacing him (Ferdous) just yet, but if he cannot come back to India for the shoot, we will have to take a decision,” said Nirmal.

In the film, based on a novel by

Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay

, Ferdous is playing the character of Bilash. The

Bolpur

shoot had begun in April and merely 10% was of the film was shot. Meanwhile, in April, Ferdous was allegedly seen campaigning for a TMC candidate in Raiganj, violating visa norms. Following the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs blacklisted him, blocking his entry to India in future.

Nirmal Charkraborty, who is also a close associate of actress Rituparna Sengupta, is debuting as a director with this film. He said that as of now they are taking things slow. “We are not taking any decision right now. We are monitoring the situation closely. Everything depends on how things turn out for Ferdous,” he added.

Datta is a romantic story, influenced by the Victorian notion of romantic love. It dwells on the growing attachment between an affluent Brahmo woman and an indigent but brilliant

Hindu

young man despite all odds. “I am keeping the social backdrop and characters the way it was written, but some dialogues have been changed,” Nirmal signed off.