Filmmaker Srijit Mukherji announces film on 'Gumnami Baba' with Prosenjit Chatterjee

Filmmaker Srijit Mukherji’s upcoming period drama Ek Je Chhilo Raja is already making noise with its intriguing teaser. Meanwhile, the director has wrapped up shooting for his Christmas release Shah Jahan Regency, a modern-day adaptation of Bengali author Sankar’s iconic novel Chowringhee (1962).

In no mood for a break, on 18 August, the director announced a new project. The film, titled Gumnami Baba, will be based on a man many assumed to be the legendary freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. On 18 August 1945, Bose had boarded a flight in Taiwan that mysteriously disappeared. Bose was later declared dead. 'Gumnami Baba', known as 'Bhagwanji' among his followers, is said to have lived in parts of UP from mid-1950s to 1985. After his death, many artifacts were found from his room that connected him to Bose.

The film will bring together Mukherji and actor Prosenjit Chatterjee again after Zulfiqar (2016).

“We are planning to make a film on Gumnami Baba, there is a connection between the character and Netaji’s mysterious disappearance. I have decided to cast Prosenjit on this particular role,” Mukherji told Anandabazar Patrika, a daily.

“The combination of SVF, Srijit Mukherji and Prosenjit Chatterjee has always churned out blockbusters. We are optimistic that this film will also garner positive critical and audience response,” said Shrikant Mohta, director and co-founder of SVF Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

The film is slated to be released during Durga puja in 2019.