Athoi: Anirban Bhattacharya and Sohini Sarkar gear up to start Arna Mukhopadhyay’s directorial debut

OTTplay has earlier reported that Arna Mukhopadhyay was set to debut as a film director with his play, Athhoi. In 2016, the Bengali theatre group Natadha staged its Othello adaptation Athoi, which was also directed by Arna. Now, the makers – Jio Studios and SVF Entertainment – have officially announced the making of the film. While Anirban will play the character of Gogo (Iago from the play), Sohini Sarkar and Arna will play the characters of Diya and Dr Athhoi Lodha, representing Desdemona and Othello, respectively.

Also read: Jio Studios: Arna Mukhopadhyay-Anirban Bhattacharya’s hit play Athoi to be adapted on the big screen 

Along with the announcement on December 4, the official logo was released and muharat took place. The film is slated to go on the floors on December 13 and is scheduled to release next year. 

The character of Dr Athhoi Lodha is based on Shakespeare’s sketch of the quixotic Moor of Venice who in the film is deeply rooted in a Dalit background. Athhoi transcends mere leadership; he embodies a marvel, a dreamer, and an ardent lover. He represents the Good soul of the film. His character is a blend of greatness and vulnerability. The potency of his portrayal as Othello will be elevated by Anirban’s presentation of the cunning Iago. While no man can exert complete control over his life, one can evaluate oneself, carry out necessary actions, and face the consequences with love as the driving force in which Athhoi excels in.

Sohini takes on the character of Diya or Desdemona, a woman characterised by her spirited demeanour and intelligence. She symbolises love. In Diya’s perspective, Athhoi serves as the hero of numerous thrilling and perilous escapades, possessing the captivating charm of an orphan in need of love. Diya emerges as the film’s most forthright and sincere communicator, delivering sharp and impactful speeches that ensure each word holds significance.

Meanwhile, Anirban’s Gogo is an enigmatic character, akin to a puzzle that eludes resolution. He represents the bad soul of the play. While appearing as a ‘friend’ to Athhoi, he embodies the archetype of a trickster. Every utterance from Gogo instigates a sense of apprehension. Despite professing a commitment to honesty and straightforwardness, he engages in the creation of intricate falsehoods to exploit and manipulate others. In essence, he personifies the embodiment of malevolence in the morality play.