Actor Jeetu Kamal replaces Abir Chatterjee in Anik Dutt's Aparajito

Popular television and film actor Jeetu Kamal has replaced Abir Chatterjee in Anik Dutta’s upcoming film Aparajito.

Based on Satyajit Ray’s journey making his maiden film Pather Panchali (1955), the film will feature Kamal as filmmaker Aparajito Ray, who makes a film titled Pather Padaboli. Actress Saayani Ghosh will be seen in the character of Bimola Ray, inspired by Ray’s wife Bijoya Ray.

Instead of giving an account of how Ray made Pather Panchali, the director’s aim is to convey that it is possible to fulfil one's dreams if one has faith in one's abilities. “In reality, of course, you have to dare to dream. You have to be single-minded and dedicated. It’s an inspirational film,” he said while speaking to The Telegraph, an English daily.

Dutta, who has already started working on the film, had reportedly spotted Kamal at a rally. The filmmaker realized that Kamal resembles Ray. However, by that time, Dutta had already finalised Chatterjee for the role. Later, due to some complications, Dutta had to change his decision.

"We did his look test and when Jeetu came out of the makeup room, everyone’s jaw dropped. No one could believe what they saw; he looked like the man [Ray]. Somnath Kundu did wonders with a few prosthetics. Everything fell into place, and we started shooting in no time," exclaimed Dutta.

According to the director, the actor, who has appeared in the films Adventures of Jojo (2018) and Biddhrohini (2020), was at ease in front of the camera. "I had given him some old photographs and he did his own research and he assimilated everything very quickly. He was sharp in picking up on this," said the director.