Soumik Sen begins shooting for his debut Bengali film Mahalaya

Soumik Sen, who wrote screenplays for Anthony Kaun Hai (2006), Ru-Ba-Ru (2008), Meerabai Not Out (2008) and Hum Tum Aur Ghost (2010), began shooting for his upcoming debut Bengali film Mahalaya 1976 today. He has previously directed and written Gulaab Gang (2014).

The Bengali film is based on the historical incident of 1976 when Akashvani Kolkata faced the public ire for airing a new programme instead of Pankaj Mullick’s legendary Mahisasurmardini, collaborating with composer and singer Hemanta Mukherjee and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar.

The devoted followers of the programme could not accept even the most charming superstar in the place of Birendrakrishna Bhadra who recites in Mahisasurmardini and vandalised the office as well. Later, Akashvani Kolkata had to air the original programme on the 6th day of devi paksha during Durga Puja.

When Tagore closed his eyes and Pankaj Mullick ran away

Prosenjit Chatterjee, along with his production house Nideas Creations and Production House, is presenting this unique story on which no fictional work has been done before. Jisshu Sengupta, will play Uttam Kumar, Subhasish Mukherjee will essay the role of Bhadra and Shubhamoy Chatterjee will play the role of Pankaj Mullick in the film.

Debajyoti Mishra will compose the music of the film and Mrinmoy Nandi will be the man behind the camera. The major part of the film will reportedly be shot at Rupkala Kendra.

“The film Mahalaya directed by Soumik Sen is a story of perhaps the greatest revolt of public expression that happened during the darkest period of post-independent democracy. The story revolves around this issue,” said the producer to Calcutta Times.

Rudranil Ghosh, Kanchan Mullick and Saptarshi Ray also play some important roles in the film. “We have received a NOC from the families of Uttam Kumar, Birendra Krishna Bhadra and Pankaj Mullick for this film,” added Chatterjee.