Weekend roundup: Bengali films and celebs who made headlines this week

Whether it’s Dev talking about his next Password’, Mimi leaving Pratim’s film, the controversy surrounding ‘Rajlokhi O Srikanto’s release, Mir revealing a shocking secret, Kolkata hosting the selection of India’s Oscar entries or Yash-Priyanka pairing up for the first time; it was a week full of rumours and exciting news from the Tollywood industry. Here is a quick look at Bengali cinema's some of the most exciting news this week.

The selection of India’s Oscar entry is now being held in Kolkata for the first time at a single screen theatre. Three Bengali films namely Kaushik Ganguly’s ‘Nagarkirtan’, Churni Ganguly’s ‘Tarikh’ and Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee’s ‘Konttho’ are in contention to enter the final list. The screening process has already started and will continue till September 22. While Aparna Sen is the chairperson of the committee, other members of the jury from Kolkata are scriptwriter Padmanabha Dasgupta, editor Sujay Dutta Ray, composer Debojyoti Mishra and directors Ashoke Viswanathan and Pratim D Gupta.

We already know Pradeep Sarkar is set to make a Hindi film on Bengal’s very own Binodini Dasi, who rose to fame as Notee Binodini. And now Ram Kamal Mukherjee who has already delivered two beautiful short films ‘Cakewalk’ and ‘Season’s Greetings’ will be doing a film on the same subject but in Bengali. The author turned director always wanted to do a film on Bengal theatre along with its impact on social reform. The cast of the film, tentatively titled ‘Binodini Dasi’ hasn’t yet finalized but the director is looking for an established face to portray Notee Binodini. As soon as the lead cast is finalized camera will start rolling.

Be it his breakfast show on Radio Mirchi, or witty anchoring, or even his effortless acting performances in films; Mir has tickled Kolkata’s Funnybone with every single one of his activities. Recently the actor-RJ-performer shocked his fans revealing a frightful truth about himself on the air! "I have attempted suicide four times within the time period of 2017 and 2019," Mir admitted publically. Disclosing his darkest thoughts, he said, the stress of performing can sometimes become tiresome. There are days when I used to cry inside my green room," he remembered. Spreading awareness about depression he further advised, "To stop suicidal thoughts, talk to a close one who won't judge or rebuke you. Also, don't hide anything from your psychiatrist."

While his upcoming ‘Gumnaami’ is making headlines every single day ahead of its October 2 release, Srijit Mukherji’s 2018 blockbuster ‘Ek Je Chhilo Raja’ also continues its festival run. It’s now an official selection at the 28th Heartland International Film Festival at Indianapolis. This is the film's 7th official selection at an international film festival along with its 16 state, national and international awards.

The politics prevalent in Bengali film industry these days is an open secret and Dev fears he will have to toil more to secure cinema halls for his upcoming thriller ‘Password's release than the ongoing promotional activities. Speaking about the same on the sidelines of an event recently Dev stated, "I always suffer from getting the cinema halls. I will have to ensure a rescue of my film from the industrial monopoly and politics so that the film reaches the audience. The fight will be more to get the halls than promotions of the film."

Ever since Pratim D Gupta’s next film was announced, speculation was rife that Mimi Chakraborty has been offered to play the female lead opposite Jisshu Sengupta in the film titled ‘Love Aaj Kaal Porsu’. But now, we hear the actress turned newly-elected MP has turned down the offer as she is not comfortable with doing intimate scenes. Incidentally, Pratim’s film does have a few intimate scenes and Mimi is not okay with it. She is not only an actress now, but an MP as well. When we asked the pretty actress she explained: “It’s not like that I am not doing it because of criticism, neither being an MP is the only reason. I am never comfortable in intimate scenes. So, why should do it now after all these years.”

Both of his two releases this year, ‘Ke Tumi Nandini’ and ‘Bhootchakra Pvt. Ltd.’, didn’t click with the audience and got mixed reviews. Now, Bonny Sengupta is ready for his third release ‘Love Story’ directed by Rajiv Kumar and also stars Rittika Sen opposite him. What’s next for the young actor? Well, Bonny is waiting for two more releases this year and another interesting project is in the pipeline. “After ‘Love Story’ there’s ‘Jaanbaaz’ and also ‘Ishstupid’ by Sujit Mondal. Also, I am in the process of signing an interesting script — it’s a murder mystery and once the director is finalized, we will start shooting,” said Bonny.

Pradipta Bhattacharya’s ‘Rajlokhi O Srikanto’s theatrical release has been pushed back at the last minute to 27 September instead of its release on September 20. It didn’t get a single theatre in Kolkata. Overall, ‘Rajlokhi O Srikanto’ got only half a dozen theatres across Bengal. So, the National Award-winning director and his team had a meeting with the distributors on Thursday and were assured that they will have all the major multiplexes and single screens from 27 September onwards. "However, there is a condition. If the film fails to draw less than 50% audience in the first four days, it will be taken down from all the theatres since many Bollywood, as well as Bengali films, will release in the coming weeks,” informed Pradipta Bhattacharya.

Yash Dasgupta and Priyanka Sarkar are pairing up for the first time in Sujit Mondal’s upcoming directorial. The yet to be titled film is being produced by Surinder Films. As per the story, Arjun promises himself that their love will be timeless and endless, when he first saw Hiya, as a kid. It was love at first sight for them. But then time plays its course and separates the two lovers in the cruelest way. Hiya’s love becomes the cure for Arjun’s pain, and his love becomes her life. This film is all about a journey of love and belief that has to fight the odds of life and death.