Subhrajit Mitra: A group of petty people from the industry is trying to jeopardise Devi Chowdhurani | Exclusive

National Award-winning director Subhrajit Mitra is engrossed in the preproduction of his ambitious project, Devi Chowdhurani. The film which features Srabanti Chatterjee as Devi Chowdhurani and Prosenjit Chatterjee as Bhavani Pathak is based on Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s seminal work. The film also features Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, Arjun Chakrabarty, and others. 

Also read: Sabyasachi Chakrabarty on Devi Chowdhurani: Prosenjit Chatterjee is involved with the project and that added to my excitement 

Now, Subhrajit has alleged that ‘a group of people from the Bengali entertainment fraternity’ is trying to jeopardise’ the film. Talking to OTTplay, the director said, “Some people with an ulterior motive are spreading a rumour that this film is shelved. Which is a lie. Some people are telling this to crew members who are scheduled to work with us. And this is affecting their morale.” The director took to social media to express his frustration. 

Elaborating further, Subhrajit added, “This is going to be a big-budget period film mounted on a big landscape. I am taking my time to write, do the recce, create the looks, and so on. I have just completed the recce in Bolpur, Jharkhand, and Purulia. Since this is a period film, it will not have an iota of known locations. The producers have spent nearly Rs one cr until the completion of the recce. A big film does not happen overnight – something that the Bengali industry practices often. In the industry, we have the potential to make spectacular films. We need to invest in that. Since I am taking my time, certain people with petty mentality are trying to badmouth the film and spread lies. They will not succeed. Devi Chowdhurani will happen the way I want it to happen. Also, unless we make big-scale productions, no one beyond Bengal will have faith in us.”

Also read: Devi Chowdhurani: Poster of Posenjit-Srabanti film unveiled at the India Pavilion, Cannes 

Worldwide distribution

Meanwhile, one of the biggest distribution houses from Hollywood, Glass House Distribution, shared their letter of intent to distribute Devi Chowdhurani globally. “This is a big thing for the Bengali industry. I don’t think any other Bengali film has tied up with such a big distribution company before. If this materialises, it will be a huge thing for us,” Subhrajit said. The motion poster of the film was unveiled to the international audience and world media at the India Pavilion in Marche du Films, Cannes 2023.