Filmmaker Anik Dutta’s Borunbabur Bondhu (2020) will be screened at the Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati sometime in October, depending on the pandemic situation. Prior to the film's theatrical release in February, it was screened at the 25th Kolkata International Film Festival and The Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai.
Featuring Soumitra Chatterjee as the protagonist Borun Babu, the film is based on Ramapada Choudhury’s short story Chhad. Borun Babu is an idealistic man who has never compromised on his beliefs for personal or family gain. He is a traditionalist and hence, his family often finds it difficult to cope with him. Borun Babu ends up leading a reclusive life, living on his own terms.
Circumstances change when one of his childhood friends, who has now turned into an influential personality, promises to visit him at home. Suddenly, Borun Babu begins to receive extra attention from his opportunistic family members and their distant relatives as they plan on impressing the friend for personal gain.
“I got a mail from Uma Da Cunha, the festival curator on Wednesday stating that the nomination for Borunbabur Bondhu has been accepted by its executive director. I would like to congratulate each and every member of the team. We got an overwhelming response from the audience here in Kolkata and I hope other audiences would like it too,” said a delighted Dutta.
Producer Nispal Singh, too is overwhelmed by the film's selection. “The film is full of power-packed performances by some brilliant actors, spearheaded by the living legend Soumitra Chatterjee, and has gained accolades from critics. The audience response too has been very encouraging. I would like to congratulate everyone associated with the film,” he said.
Borunbabur Bondhu also features Madhabi Mukherjee, Kaushik Sen, Arpita Pal Chatterjee, Sreelekha Mitra, Bidipta Chakraborty, Paran Bandopadhyay and Ritwick Chakraborty among others.