Exclusive! Anusha Viswanathan on Byomkesh Hatyamancha: My character indicates the early signs of decadence in Bengali theatre

The actress will be seen in Arindam Sil’s Byomkesh Hatyamancha with Abir Chatterjee, Sohini Sarkar, Paoli and others

Anusha Viswanathan as Somaria

One of the favourite sleuths Byomkesh Bakshi will be back on the big screen with Arindam Sil’s Byomkesh Hatyamancha in August. Along with the usual cast of the franchise, Abir Chatterjee and Sohini Sarkar as Byomkesh Bakshi and Satyabati respectively, Suhotra Mukhopadhyay will be seen as the brand-new Ajit Bandyopadhyay. Meanwhile, Paoli and Anusha Viswanathan will be seen as key characters. Anusha will play the character of a cabaret dancer, Somaria. While talking to OTTPlay exclusively, Anusha explained the nuances of her character.

Based on Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s incomplete work, Bishupal Badh, Arindam and Padmanabha Dasgupta have developed the script. Talking about her character, Anusha said, “Somaria came to Kolkata from Bihar. She works in a theatre company. She is ambitious and has a lot of aspirations and learns cabaret. She watches other eminent cabaret dancers on-screen and learns the steps. However, she is looked down upon a little by her colleagues since she doesn’t come from a well-off family. She keeps going. Due to her knack for cabaret, there are theatre houses that wish to employ her. In fact, Somaria’s cabaret somewhat symbolises a decadence in Bengali theatre in Kolkata.”

This will be Anusha’s third film with Arindam. In 2017, she worked in Durga Sohay and Dhananjay with the director. “Interestingly, Dhananjay was released on August 11 – the same day when Byomkesh Hatyamancha will be released this year. I am really looking forward to it,” said the actress, adding, “Since this is my third film with Arindam Sil, I kind of understand what he wants from me in a shot. Also, he is very clear in his instructions.”

The film is set in the background of the Naxalite movement in 1971. Byomkesh Bakshi gets involved in a murder case when he goes to watch a play. He witnesses a murder right on the stage. Later, he unfolds a tale of vengeance.

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