Birsa Dasgupta to helm film set in Kolkata in 1971 titled Hawa Bonduk

Birsa Dasgupta’s upcoming film Hawa Bonduk, starring Riddhi Sen, Rahul Banerjee, Kaushik Sen, Oindrila Sen and Ankush Hazra, will capture the volatile era of 1971’s Calcutta.

The film will also mark Dasgupta’s maiden collaboration with his wife Bidipta Chakraborty and his daughter Meghla Dasgupta, who will play crucial roles in the film, which has been conceptualized by noted author Smaranjit Chakraborty.

According to a report in Ei Samay, a Bengali daily, Riddhi will play the character Ruku, a youth who finds his city turn into a place fraught with political unrest and violence. The film sees Ruku take on his childhood idol Bilu (Rahul Banerjee), who has now turned into a goon employed by the ruling political party, and the rebellious Shankar (Hazra).

Meanwhile, Mohor (Oindrila) pines for Shankar, who dedicates himself to revolution, while Jhinuk (Meghla) fills Ruku’s life with love.

“I have not worked in any film for a year and hence, wanted to tell a story that has its origin in Bengal,” said Dasgupta. “I am working Hindi web-series now, but people know me as a Bengali director. Therefore, I wanted to make a film with its roots in the state.”

Dasgupta will start shooting the film after Durga Puja this year.